Weeds that grow between pavement cracks are an eyesore that can spoil the beautiful appearance of your paved surfaces.
As a result, many homeowners have devised creative ways of eliminating these weeds, from herbicides to various natural remedies.
However, a patio expert, Armstrong Cheshire, has hailed boiling water as the perfect solution for removing weeds from pavement.
Speaking to the Express, Cheshire claimed that this handy trick will “remove unsightly weeds from your patio” for free.
Cheshire also cautioned against using vinegar to kill weeds in pavement cracks, a popular technique with many homeowners. He stated:
This is not always advisable, as the acid can damage the surface of the stones, particularly limestone or concrete pavers, as well as being harmful to wildlife and plants.
Why Does Boiling Water Work as a Weed Killer?
According to Iowa State University, boiling water acts as a contact herbicide, killing every part of a plant it comes into contact with. The heat from the water burns the weeds’ cells, causing them to rupture and die.
According to Simon Chesire, the effects of using boiling water on weeds on your pavement are almost instant. He explained:
You should start to see results in minutes as the boiling water breaks down the weed – with full results in hours.
A few hardy plants, especially large and mature ones, might survive the boiling water. However, putting them through a few boiling water treatments will eventually overwhelm them, killing them off.
Benefits of Using Boiling Water to Kill Weeds on Your Pavement
You can reap several benefits by using boiling water to get rid of weeds on your pavement:
1. It is Non-Toxic and Chemical-Free
Boiling water is a natural and chemical solution for dealing with weeds on pavement. This method doesn’t involve handling (or inhaling) toxic chemicals.
Boiling water is also very environmentally friendly; it won’t release toxic chemicals into the air or soil.
2. It is a Cheap Solution
Boiling water is one of the cheapest ways to get rid of weeds.
Besides the energy cost of boiling the water, you won’t have to worry about other expenses.
3. It is Easy to Apply
You don’t have to measure and mix chemical herbicides with boiling water.
In addition, you don’t have to mix several ingredients to make a natural herbicide. Instead, you only need to boil and pour the water on the weeds.
4. It Won’t Damage Your Pavement
According to Simon Cheshire, boiling water “ensures there’s no damage to your patio.”
That’s because boiling water is harmless to pavement, unlike other weed-killing remedies that might contain harsh chemicals that will corrode paved surfaces.
5. It Works Against All Types of Weeds
Boiling water is not a selective weed killer; it will eradicate any weeds on your pavement cracks.
After a few treatments, it will even work on tough weeds.
Places Where You Should Not Use Boiling Water to Kill Weeds
While boiling water can be an excellent solution for killing weeds on your pavement, it might not be advisable in some situations.
For example, according to Gardening Know How, boiling water can kill valuable plants if applied incorrectly.
Therefore, you should avoid using this technique in areas with valuable plants, such as your garden or lawn. If you must use boiling water in these areas, you must target the weeds only and not other crops.
It’s worth noting that boiling water is a burn hazard. It can cause painful scalds or, worse, damage to your skin.
Therefore, you should be careful not to splash yourself with the hot water or come into contact with the hot steam.
We’ve created a guide to help you learn more about using boiling water on weeds.
Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.