Weeds are a common problem for those who have paved areas in their homes.
Even though pavements are durable and attractive, sections between pavers can hold dirt which provides a perfect environment for the growth of all types of weeds.
Therefore, it can be very upsetting when weeds appear between the pavers. Moreover, once they appear, the weeds may be difficult to eliminate.
Like most homeowners out there, you probably would like to keep your home looking as beautiful as possible. You can do this by preventing those weeds from growing so that your pavement remains attractive.
So, how do you stop weeds from growing between pavers and eliminate them if they already exist?
Getting rid of weeds between pavers
It is necessary that you first remove the weeds that have already sprouted between the pavers, then consider prevention later on. There are various methods of removing existing weeds between pavers or along a driveway.
A single weed-removal technique may be inadequate. Combining two or more of these methods might be more helpful, depending on how bad the weed problem is.
Here are a few tips that will help get rid of the weeds.
1. Weeding
It involves manually removing the weeds using your hands or with the help of weeding tools. The process is tedious and time-consuming but effective in keeping weeds out of pavers.
In addition, hand weeding has the highest possibility of preventing weed growth.
Pulling weeds by hand is the cheapest, most environmentally friendly, and simplest approach to removing weeds in spaces. Dampen the area first before you pull the weeds from the soil to prevent the roots from remaining in the soil.
It’s preferable to pull weeds before they seed so that seeds don’t fall out and get into the gaps as you pull them.
2. Use vinegar
Using vinegar is an effective and natural way to kill weeds between pavers without needing weed removal tools or much manual work.
Fill an empty spray bottle with vinegar and spray the spaces between the pavers, allowing the vinegar to soak and work its way into the sand. After a few hours, use a lawn hose to rinse away the vinegar.
Will vinegar kill weeds between pavers? You can be sure that vinegar will kill the weeds. The acetic acid in the vinegar will dehydrate the weeds, causing them to die.
Vinegar is the way to go if you want immediate effects within 24 hours. This easy solution will eliminate the weeds without harming the pavers or plants.
3. Baking soda
Another natural way to kill weeds between pavers is by using an essential household item — baking soda.
Baking soda will go a long way in removing and preventing weed growth around you.
The advantage of this method is that it’s environmentally friendly, therefore, will not harm your home or landscape.
4. Pressure washing
Pressure cleaning the whole patio serves two purposes.
It will not only get rid of weeds between interlocking bricks but also give the pavers a thorough cleaning, making the entire area seem brand new.
Don’t just use a jet nozzle while pressure washing. The nozzle’s water pressure can remove sand between the grooves and etch the pavers’ surface.
Instead, use a pressure washer with a rotating surface cleaning attachment.
5. Propane torches
You can use a propane torch to burn weeds that are growing between pavers.
This method is not only simple but also convenient since you don’t have to bend. It is also more practical if you are covering a large area.
If you’ve never burned weeds before, we have created a guide for using propane torches to kill weeds.
How to stop weeds from growing between pavers
After removing the weeds from between the pavers, apply preventative measures to keep them from growing back.
Preventing weeds from developing in the first place is one of the most efficient ways of controlling them. In addition, frequent maintenance can help you prevent weeds in pavers.
1. Properly install pavers
Having your pavers put properly from the beginning is the most effective method to prevent weed growth.
There should be minimal space between the pavers to eliminate weeds between interlocking bricks. A carefully packed sand bed provides a flat foundation for the deck or patio.
Additional sand should be pressed into the cracks once the pavers are in place. This sand keeps each paver in place while also preventing weed growth.
2. Seal your pavers
Does sealing pavers keep weeds out? Yes, it does. A well-built paver patio with sufficient drainage will help keep weeds at bay, but sealing pavers with a joint stabilizing sealer can harden the sand in the joints, making weed growth extremely difficult.
Using a joint stabilizing sealer to seal your pavers will naturally help with weed management. You can prevent weed growth between pavers and patio stones by sealing them.
Sealant penetrates the joint sand between your pavers and hardens it into a mortar-like consistency, preventing weeds from growing in your paver patio.
3. Sweeping
Weeds don’t usually come up from beneath the pavers. Instead, they begin with seeds that settle in the spaces between the pavers on the surface. In order to grow, seeds must take root.
Sweeping your pavers on a regular basis can destroy the seeds before they can take root, preventing weed growth.
It also eliminates surface dirt and keeps your pavers clean, improving aesthetics.
4. Polymeric sand
Polymeric sand can also fill joints and keep weeds out of pavers by holding them together. It is super-fine sand with additives like silica that act as a binding agent when combined with water, allowing spaces between pavers to be better sealed.
The sand also increases the lifespan of your patio by binding pavers together and preventing weeds from growing between them.
In addition, polymeric sand resists erosion because it is bound to itself and the pavers, safeguarding both the pavers and the foundation materials.
Conclusion
The presence of weeds between pavers interferes with the beauty pavers bring to their surroundings. Weeds can also cause pavers to disintegrate quicker.
Several methods, such as those mentioned above, can keep weeds out of pavers when they’ve already grown.
In addition, simple preventative approaches will stop weeds from growing between pavers if they aren’t already present. Finding the appropriate solution for your paver area can help you keep it looking beautiful.
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Carla is a student pursuing a B.S in Agricultural Systems Technology. With a passion for landscaping for over 4 years, Carla loves plants. She has previously contributed to several other sites in the space before joining InsightWeeds.