Weeds are undesirable plants that grow in pavers, patios, and lawns. They are resilient and are known for their rapid growth rate. There are around 8,000 known species of weeds worldwide, making it challenging for you to protect your pavers from them.
There is nothing more annoying than seeing weeds grow between the pavers. It is a common problem faced by paver owners all over the world. Not only do weeds ruin the look of the pavers, but they also cause damage to their surface.
From unevenness to cracks, weeds can damage pavers in many ways if not controlled in time.
If weeds are growing between your pavers and you do not know how to get rid of them, you are not alone! In this article, we will take you through some proven methods to eliminate weeds between pavers and several tips on how to prevent them.
But why do weeds grow between pavers in the first place? Let’s find out!
How Do Weeds Grow Between Pavers?
It is a common misconception that weeds grow underneath the pavers. However, it is not true because properly installed pavers a few inches of base underneath, making it impossible for weeds to grow.
Pavers usually have spaces between them. These spaces have dust particles that are blown away by wind over time. Dirt and wind seeds from surrounding trees may fall and get stuck inside these spaces. Add some rainwater, and you have weeds between the pavers.
How To Easily Remove Weeds Between Pavers?
Here are a few methods to get rid of weeds between the pavers in your home.
- Use Boiling Water
The easiest way to remove weeds between pavers is to kill them with boiling water. It is cost-efficient, yet it is super effective and can even kill the weeds’ roots.
So, the next time you are boiling eggs to make some dish, pour the water directly on the weeds growing in the pavers instead of disposing of the water.
Having said that, it is important to note that this method will only work if the water is hot enough. Therefore, before pouring the water, make sure that it has reached the boiling point or is close to it at least. Furthermore, make sure to pour it onto the weeds only.
Be mindful that it can kill insects and other plants as well. So, be careful while pouring hot water. And yes, keep your safety in mind and make sure to wear your safety gear before handling the kettle or pot. If weeds don’t die or regrow in a short time, consider repeating this procedure a few times.
- Use Salt
Using salt is another great way to get rid of weeds growing between pavers in your home. To kill weeds with salt, you don’t need to mix it with any other chemical.
Be it table salt or rock salt, every kind of salt will work fine. Not only will it eliminate the weeds, but it will also make sure that they don’t grow back. Simply sprinkle the salt on the weeds between pavers, and they will disappear in a few days.
It is recommended to check the weather conditions of your area before applying salt on weeds. This is because rainwater can easily carry it to other plants on your lawn, affecting their growth.
Moreover, it can also deteriorate the soil quality of your lawn. So, if rain is forecasted, avoid using salt for this purpose.
- Use a Weed Killer
Herbicides, commonly known as weed killers, are chemicals used to destroy unwanted plants and weeds. Herbicides are widely used across the globe to eliminate weeds between pavers and are readily available at all superstores.
Weed killers come in two main types, i.e., selective weed killers and non-selective weed killers. Selective weed killers, as the name implies, only kill a certain type of plant and leave others unharmed.
On the contrary, non-selective weed killers destroy all the plants they come into contact with. It would be a good idea to use selective weed killers for this purpose, or else you may end up damaging the grass and other plants on your lawn.
Most herbicides are corrosive, so using a metal sprayer is a no-no. And yes, do not forget to wear chemical-resistant gloves before applying weed killers.
Regardless of their type, weed killers are dangerous to humans as they contain harsh chemicals. If you experience itching or irritation on your nose or another part of your body after applying herbicides, consider visiting your doctor ASAP.
It would be better to use a sprayer with an adjustable nozzle, especially if you are applying a non-selective weed killer. It lets you adjust the spray, allowing for precise application. And yes, make sure to dilute the weed killer according to the instructions mentioned in the package.
When applied appropriately, herbicides will help you get rid of weeds between pavers without damaging any plant or grass nearby.
If you cannot find a herbicide at your nearby superstore, the good news for you is that you can also make it at home. Pour two parts of white distilled vinegar and one part of water into a spraying bottle.
Next, add a few drops of dish soap to the bottle, and that’s pretty much it! Spray it on the weeds between pavers, and it will eliminate them in a matter of a few days.
- Remove Weeds Manually
You can also remove weeds by hand. However, pulling all the weeds manually one by one will be a time-consuming and tedious process. If you are to pull weeds by hand, consider watering them before pulling, as it will take less force to remove wet weeds.
Nowadays, many tools are available in the market that are designed to remove weeds. Those tools are sharp and are made of non-corrosive materials. Using such tools will make the process a bit easier.
Preventing Weeds Between Pavers
You can prevent weeds from growing between the pavers at your home by using polymeric sand. The application process is quite straightforward. Simply apply it to the pavers and fill in the gaps between them. Depending on the size of your yard, it may take a few hours.
The Bottom Line
Weeds are unwanted plants that grow between pavers and spread rapidly. Using boiling water, salt, and weed killers are effective ways to eliminate weeds.
Be careful while applying a herbicide as it may affect other plants as well, and make sure to wear gloves first. It is recommended to fill in the spaces with polymeric sand to prevent weeds from growing there. We have outlined many tried and tested methods to kill weeds in this article.