How to Get Rid of Weeds in Patio Pavers

Patio paving always adds traditional elegance to any setting. If laid in a pattern, or a simple layout, your patio pavers need to look as neat and orderly as possible to maintain that elegance. When weeds begin creeping between the patio pavers, it can ruin the look and feel of any patio space. We have found the answers on how to get rid of weeds in patio pavers for you.

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Without proper prevention, weeds will work through the cracks between pavers to grow over your pavers and could potentially damage the surface of the pavers. There’s no need to stress, though: weeds can be removed and your paving can be restored to that new look your space so deserves.

The most basic of steps to take when caring for your patio pavers can ensure that weeds don’t start growing in the first place. That can be achieved through the proper installation of your patio pavers and regular sweeping of the patio paving surface area. When first installing your paving, clearing the sand beneath where the pavers will be laid of any weeds and roots will go a long way to preventing the possibility of weeds growing. You can add paver sands to improve the drainage over and between patio pavers and thereby limit weed growth while also assisting in soil stability.

9 Best Ways to Get Rid of Weeds In Patio Pavers:

Here are the proven ways to remove weeds in patio pavers. Not all methods might work best for your specific patio pavers design and layout, but we think you will find more than one option to help remove weeds from your patio pavers.

1. Weeding by Hand

The method most effective also just happens to be the safest for your nearby plants and grass. Pulling weeds by hand is the most tedious method to take, so it should only be used on patio pavers with a few weeds visible: if the weeds covered most of your patio pavers, this highly labor-intensive method will see you bending over on hands and knees for days at a time.

This method is also only effective if you manage to pull the entire weed from its roots – if not, it will simply regrow. The best way to ensure you can get the roots is to wet the surface before you begin weeding by hand as the wet soils will make it easier for the roots to be pulled out.

2. White Vinegar

While your aim is to only get rid of weeds in patio pavers, using toxic chemicals to kill the weeds will also result in surrounding plants and grasses dying too. So, it is advisable to proceed with care and caution to limit the damage to other plants as much as possible. Don’t forget that certain chemicals will also stain and mark your patio pavers. Always test out chemical-based weeding methods on an area of paving that’s not too visible so that you can test what it does to your paving before you use it across your entire patio.

White vinegar is less toxic than most of the harsh chemicals available on the market. You can buy white vinegar from your local grocery store. Using an empty spray bottle, fill it with water but add 20 percent of the bottle’s capacity with acetic vinegar. Spray this solution onto the leaves of the weeds and into the sand between the pavers. Allow 2 hours for the vinegar to set and then hose off the vinegar with a garden hose.

3. Pressure Washing

If you have a pressure washer in your garage, you can put it to work on your patio pavers – and it will also clean your patio area while removing weeds rather easily. Don’t use the jet nozzle of your pressure washer; those will actually cause marking on your pavers and will also wash away the sand between your patio pavers.

You can purchase a rotating surface cleaning attachment from your local hardware store that will perfectly remove your surface weeds and dirt and grime to prevent new weeds from settling into the cracks between the patio pavers.

4. Scraping

Similar to pulling weeds, using a specialized weed scraper to get into the cracks to remove the weeds is effective only at removing the stem and leaves of weeds. The L-shaped blades, unfortunately, can’t remove the roots.

Using scrapers will allow you to remove the bulk of the weeds and to temporarily clear your patio pavers and it will give you a chance to remove the weeds’ roots at another time by weeding or the other options on this list.

5. Boiling Water

Boiling is not only good for killing ants on your patio, but it can also help you to get rid of weeds in patio pavers.

Boiling water is easy to use: simply pour the hot water into the cracks between pavers where the weeds are growing. However, you need to be careful where you pour the boiling water: it can also kill nearby grass and plants too.

6. Salt

You can sprinkle salt between patio pavers to kill weeds and prevent weeds from regrowing again. Using salt can, however, damage your patio pavers and as with white vinegar, it is recommended to first try salt on a small area first to see what effect it has on your patio pavers.

Don’t use too much salt – and use it in a targeted manner – as salt is also harmful to other nearby plants and grass. In fact, it can also affect the soil’s pH balance and damage it from sustaining any plant life if there is too much in the soil.

7. Baking Soda

As with salt and white vinegar, it is best to use baking soda sparingly and in a targeted manner as it also kills surrounding plants and grass.

Baking soda isn’t as effective as salt and vinegar so you would need to re-apply the treatment every few weeks until the weeds have all been killed in your patio pavers.

8. Weed Torch

For those DIYers with a blowtorch in their garages, using a specialty weed torch (available from hardware stores), you can burn the weeds to kill them.

It is highly recommended to keep the flame away from flammable structures and plants.

9. Organic Herbicide

Apart from weeding by hand and pressure washing, using organic herbicides are the most effective methods of how to get rid of weeds in patio pavers. Don’t buy any toxic herbicides: choose organic herbicides.

Find an organic/natural weed killer and follow their instructions on how best to use. You will need to sprinkle the herbicide between the pavers and let the herbicide set for 24-48 hours to act. It is advised to keep your pets and small children away from your patio areas during this time.

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Preventing Weed Growth

Prevention is one of the best ways you should do if you don’t want weeds to thrive on your patio pavers. With just a little regular maintenance, you can avoid weed from growing in the first place.

1. Regular Sweeping

Sweeping your pavers regularly will prevent the seeds to start rooting, helping ot inhibit weed growth.

2. Proper Installation

One of the ways to prevent weed growth is to have your paves properly installed in the beginning. A sand bed provides an equal foundation for the patio and ensures that each paver stays in places and prevent weed growth.

3. Patio Must Be Properly Slope

Weeds often grow on cool and damp soil. When your patio is not properly sloped, the water stays stagnant between the pavers, and that makes the weeds thrive. So make sure that your patio is tilt away from your house to avoid any problem.

Conclusion

There are actually a number of ways to get rid of weeds from patio pavers and each method has its pros and cons. Depending on your patio paving design and layout, you will be able to easily remove the weeds. A weed-free patio paving area is possible and it will make your patio space attractive again.

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