Is there anything worse than weeds poking through your otherwise perfect paving? Not only do they ruin the charming aesthetic of your landscaping, they damage the structure of your paving, too! Damaging drainage, causing stones to shift, creating cracks, and more.
To preserve your paving, we’ve created this weed-busting guide, which will teach you not only how to remove weeds from your patio or driveway but also how to keep them away in the future.
Step One: How to Manually Remove Weeds from Paving
The first step in de-weeding an area is straightforward manual removal. You aim to pull out as much of the weed as possible, including the roots, so it won’t grow back. With close-together paving stones, this can be a struggle, even when using tools such as trowels and gardening forks. That is why the second step is crucial.
Step Two: Applying Weed-Killing Solutions to Paving
There are a number of home remedy solutions we recommend to kill weeds in your paving.
How to remove weeds from a patio with vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is a highly effective weed killer, particularly when its acetic acid content is between 5% and 20%. Mixing a small amount of dish soap with the vinegar will help it adhere better to the weeds’ roots for the best results. Simply spritz directly onto the weeds, making sure not to get any of the solution on any plants you would like to keep around.
We recommend using this solution every two weeks or so over a six week period to fully remove the weeds.
How to remove weeds from a patio with boiling water
Boiling water can also be poured over weed-affected areas to kill them. Simply pour directly from the kettle into a heat-resistant watering can or jug. Be sure to pop on some goggles and gloves to protect yourself from splashback before then pouring the hot water over the weed roots.
How to remove weeds from a patio with salt
You can combine the hot water method above with salt to tackle particularly tough weeds. Sprinkle a small amount of salt onto your affected area, making sure not to use too much as this can damage soil. Then, pour your boiling water over the top.
Step Three: How to Weed-Proof Your Paving for the Future
Sadly, it’s impossible to ensure weeds will never return, but you can make it harder for them to grow by filling cracks between your pavers with grout and applying a sealant to your paving.
To grout your patio or driveway, simply clean and wet the area before sweeping your grout into the gaps and cleaning away any excess. To seal, ensure you are wearing gloves and protective eyewear and apply two coats of our sealant with a brush or low-pressure sprayer. Leave ten minutes between applying each coat, then leave to dry for 3-4 hours after applying the second coat.
You can also prevent weeds from creeping in via the surrounding soil by installing edging around your paved area.
How To Get Rid Of Grass Between Paving Stones
If you’re struggling with grass between your paving stones, the above weed-removal steps can help you conquer this issue, too! For advice on tackling other common paving problems, our comprehensive paving maintenance guide can help.
How To Remove Weeds From Gravel
Weeds can also cause a problem for gravelled areas in your landscaping. Luckily, many of the solutions mentioned above can help here, too.
Remove the weeds disrupting your gravel by hand or by digging them up with a trowel or hoe which can cut through the weed’s roots. Then apply the vinegar or boiling water solution if needed.
Wondering how to permanently get rid of weeds in a gravel driveway or path? While ‘permanently’ is a stretch due to the stubborn nature of weeds, laying landscaping fabric or wood chips beneath your gravel can discourage growth. You can also apply a pre-emergent herbicide.
On the RF Paving blog, we have even more pro tips on maintaining paving, decking and more.
