How To Prevent Weed Growth Between Paving Stones
The growth of unwanted weeds between the pave stones on your patio or any of the pathways not only adds an untidy look to your outdoor living space but also gives you a really boring job to get them removed. It is very important that you understand how weeds grow in between the paving stones. Once you know, you can take necessary steps to prevent weeds growing in future.
Weeds do not just grow out through the pave stones. They grow as a result of seedlings falling from the trees nearby or are carried from the sides along with the sand into the spaces between the stones, where they start flourishing. Even a few seedlings can spread widely over your patio quickly as they are the experts in finding places.
Stone paver patio
Installment of paving stones in a professional and proper way, and choosing the best quality materials may help prevent the growth of weeds. Stone pavers are considered to be the most durable and aesthetic ones for the patios and pathways. They can be designed through a variety of textures, shapes and colors. However, they require some degree of maintenance to keep them looking aesthetically good and away from weeds.
Here are a few effective measures you can take up to dissuade the weeds from growing between your paving stones:
Maintaining cleanliness
Sweep and brush your paving stones thoroughly. This will prevent the seedlings from settling in between your patio pavers and also helps in the disrupting the established growth pattern between the pavers.
Clean your paver patios regularly depending upon the degree of usage. Use warm water with a mop to remove fresh stains. There are many strong cleaning solutions that can be used along with water to clean the stone pavers. You can easily get these solutions from your nearby store. It is important that you purchase organic solution for this purpose. Chemical solutions are quite harmful to the environment. They are quite hazardous for pets and children as well. Non chemical solutions comprise of boiling water and vinegar. You can also make a solution of water and vinegar in your home and pour it on the infected areas. This is how you can kill the existing weeds and also protect weed growth in future.
As stone pavers are very durable, they can be scrubbed when needed and can be pressure washed using a hose. However, if you have large weeds between the joints, they cannot be removed with pressure washer and therefore you will have to remove them manually.
When using a hose, direct the hose’s spray away from the joints and seams.
Keep the paver surface dry always as water retention can weaken the seams and leaves your patio with a dull look.
Replace the sand into the joints, once the surface is dry. EnviroSAND is a type of stabilizing sand that has plant glue that swells when wet and also has an elevated pH that prevents the germination of seeds. EnviroSAND prevents complete washout and acts as a barrier for weed growth.
It is better if you incorporate sufficient slopes in your pathways or patios so as to allow the rainwater to drain easily towards the sides. Proper drainage helps to avoid its growth that tends to increase in cool and damp environment.
Removal of weeds
As it is difficult to remove larger weeds with a pressure washer, it is better to remove them manually.
Weeds tend to weaken the seams. They retain the moisture, inducing the surface to crack even in sturdy surfaces of stone pavers. Use an anti-weed agent to curb such problems.
Use powder herbicides to sprinkle along the seams and joints.
Use a solution that is organic and non-chemical like vinegar and boiling water over all the rooting zones. This helps to kill the already existing weeds as well as prevent them from further sprouting.
Sealing your patio pavers
Guarding your patio or pathway against dulling and chipping caused by external weather conditions or excessive usage is very important. Sealing your pavers with a sealant helps maintain the surfaces’ brightness and longevity.
Apply the sealant with a paintbrush after cleaning and drying your patio surface completely as debris can interfere with the bonding of the sealant to the pavers.
Grouting
Patio pavers require repeated grouting particularly in heavily used areas. Use a chisel or a putty knife to apply the grout between the pavers or within the seams.
Make sure to remove the dried out traces from the previous grouting using a putty knife or a wire brush to scrape it away, as it may stain the paver surface.
There are now grout specific sealers available that are a bit different from the normal grouts and the sealers mentioned above. These are used in heavy foot traffic areas where the grout lines tend to wear out easily.
