Spring is the window to get outdoor entertaining areas properly ready before summer arrives and the backyard actually starts getting used again. A paved patio or entertaining area that's been quietly weathering since last summer usually needs more than a quick sweep to be ready for the season ahead.
Start with a clean, not a guess
A proper pressure clean does two things at once: it lifts built-up grime, algae and general weathering that accumulates over a year, and it shows you what you're actually dealing with underneath. A lot of paving that looks tired simply looks clean again after a wash. Paving with an actual underlying problem, sinking sections, rocking pavers, widening joints, will still show those issues after a clean, which is useful information before you spend money on the wrong fix.
The water test for sealant
If your paving has been sealed before, a simple water test tells you whether that seal is still doing its job: pour a small amount of water onto the surface. If it beads up into droplets, the seal is still working. If it soaks in quickly or visibly darkens the stone, it's time to reseal (general guidance via elittile.com). Other signs it's due include faded or washed-out colour, stains that won't lift with a clean, joint sand washing out after rain, and a rough or chalky surface texture.
How often resealing is actually needed
As a general rule, resealing is needed somewhere between every two and five years, and the right interval depends on a few things: how much direct sun and weather exposure the area gets, how much foot traffic it carries, and the paving material itself. Natural stone like travertine generally needs more frequent attention than dense, sealed concrete, and a driveway or high-traffic path wears through its seal faster than a quiet patio.
Timing it right
Sealing works best in a stretch of dry, mild weather with no rain expected for 24 to 48 hours afterwards, so the sealer has time to properly cure. Very hot midday sun can also cause the product to dry too fast and fail to soak in properly, which is one reason spring, before the full heat of summer sets in, tends to be a better window than the middle of a January heatwave.
A finished example
We recently finished a French pattern travertine entertaining area that runs straight off the back deck, plus a matching travertine path down the side of the house. A freshly laid and sealed natural stone area like that is exactly the kind of space that'll need this same water-test check in a couple of years' time, well-laid paving still needs ongoing care to stay looking and performing the way it did on day one.
When it's worth bringing in a professional
A small, accessible patio with a sound base is a reasonable job to clean and reseal yourself if you're comfortable with the equipment. It's worth calling in a professional for larger areas, paving where the base itself is questionable (sinking, rocking pavers or new pooling water are signs of a base problem, not a surface one), or anywhere access is tricky. Getting the diagnosis right before you spend money on cleaning or sealing a surface problem that's actually a base problem saves paying for the wrong fix twice.