To ask how long you would keep a patio before replacing?

[questiontimes]

We have had our patio for over 10 years. The slabs are now dated in style, a bit discoloured, weeds often come through and although mostly level, has areas where they are dipping.

My view is that it is still fit for purpose and not worth the money and hassle of replacement.

My DH view is that we have had our moneys worth and it is time to improve the garden with a nicer style replacement.

AIBU to ask your view on how long a patio lasts before replacement?

Do you pressure wash it as this can make a big improvement? I would avoid painting as it will just look shit after a year or two.

For me, it would depend how big the patio is. I wouldn't bother forking out thousands to replace a huge patio if there's other more pressing things the money could be spent on. For a small one I'd consider it, you could probably even sell the old slabs for a few quid on gumtree.

When I removed the crazy paving from my back garden a few years back (to lay a lawn) a tradesman actually ended up helping me in exchange for free paving. I think there's a decent market for reclaimed paving, so it may be worth having a look to see whether you can get something nicer than what you have now, without paying the premium for brand new.

A patio shouldn't NEED replacing unless it is so broken it is dangerous. There are plenty of old houses that have paving outside that is nearly as old as the house and it is still fabulous. However, if you don't like it then of course you can replace it. It just depends on how near the top of your priorities it is. For me, if it is still fit for purpose but just not very nice, it would come below kitchen or bathroom renovation, probably below window replacement, and on a level with re-decoration with the final position depending on what I had to spend.