Any homeowner who owns pavers knows that, eventually, the season for killing weeds comes back. So, how to kill weeds in driveway pavers? Is there a way to kill weeds in driveway pavers for good?
That’s what we want to discuss in this article. So let’s dive right in.
Read also: Does Sealing Pavers Prevent Weeds And Mold?
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How to kill weeds in driveway pavers?
It is a known fact that one of the best ways to kill weeds in driveway pavers is by using herbicides.
Maybe you don’t want to use some sort of poison that might endanger your health. But, on the other hand, you also don’t want to spend all day on the job. So, you’re asking yourself what should you do, right?
There are many ways to kill the weeds in driveway pavers, the choice of which one is the best is really up to you. We’re not going to tell you what to do; instead, we’ll give you all the choices we can possibly think of, and you’ll choose the one that is more appropriate for you. Okay, then – let’s get started.
Method 1: Kill weeds in driveway pavers by pulling them by hand
This is, surprisingly, the most effective way to get rid of weeds.
Sure, weeds eventually will grow back, but since you’re likely to be removing them completely pulling them with roots and all, it will take a significant period for them to grow back.
From all the options we’re going to list to you, this is probably the one that is going to give you more work. You’ll spend a significant amount of time if you decide to pull weeds by hand. But it will be worthwhile since it will take longer for you to have to repeat the task.
It’s also important to mention that this method is also the safest if you don’t want to harm your plants or damage your pavers.
Method 2: Remove weeds by using specific tools
From soil or kitchen knives to tools specifically designed for this purpose. Using tools to remove weeds is not only an effective way (since you also remove the root, which is the main reason why weeds keep growing back) but is also a good method to remove weeds without harming any other plants.
Method 3: Kill weeds with boiling water
Using boiling water to kill the weeds in your pavers is very cheap and practical. The only downside of this method is that it is a non-selective way of getting rid of plants. This means that you want to make sure only to target unwanted plants. This is also a great choice because it even kills seeds and roots.
Method 4: Kill weeds between pavers with vinegar
You have vinegar at home, right? If you don’t, it’s not that hard to find. It’s definitely easier to find than herbicides.
The thing about vinegar though is that, similarly to herbicides, it won’t just stop with the weeds. If you’re not careful while spraying, you can potentially harm other plants and flowers. And there’s also the risk of etching the pavers.
This method is most effective when you use 20% acetic vinegar instead of the stuff in your pantry. But please, be extra careful here, because this concentration of vinegar has a higher chance of etching your pavers. And by the way, make sure you protect your eyes and skin when using higher concentrations.
Side note: Add about a teaspoon of dish soap to the spray bottle, while mixing the vinegar-water solution, for an extra weed-killing kick.
One more thing that we should mention about this method is that it doesn’t kill roots, so you will need to repeat the process more frequently or take additional measures to remove and prevent weeds.
Method 5: Use salt to kill weeds in driveway pavers
This probably won’t come as a surprise to you, as you might be aware that salt can kill just about any plant. This method consists of sprinkling it in your driveway cracks to kill existing weeds and help prevent future weed growth.
However, like vinegar, salt can damage your pavers and should be used with caution. It is also important to note that salt is known to drastically change the quality of soil, doing so will eventually sterilize the soil.
One might think that it wouldn’t be a problem, right? The thing is that rain or irrigation will dissolve and disperse the salt, affecting the soil and plants elsewhere too.
Method 6: Kill weeds by using an organic herbicide
It’s not really that hard to find some good organic herbicide to help you kill weeds in driveways. Just walk into any garden store and you’ll find one.
Needless to say that chemical-laden herbicides can damage your environment and your health, so, if you have the option, always opt for an organic herbicide.
Read also: How Much Does it Cost to Clean and Seal Pavers in 2024?
How to prevent weeds from growing back
We will not be covering some “alternative” methods for killing weeds in driveways.
But just to name a few, you could also use baking soda to kill weeds, which is very similar to salt and vinegar. You could use a pressure washer, which mainly we haven’t even listed here because the risk of washing away the sand (or other material) between and below the pavers makes it too risky.
Well, our point is that if you keep researching, you are most definitely coming across very different methods.
The thing to keep in mind is that weeds will grow back, eventually, and when they do, you’ll have to repeat the process. Some of them are risky but easier, some are safer but harder to do.
As an alternative, to prevent weeds from growing back, you can use polymeric sand and seal with a joint stabilizer sealing. Which, if properly installed, will significantly decrease the weed-growing back ratio to a minimum.
If you’re looking for a cleaning & sealing service, you can give us a call or get in touch using our contact form by clicking here. We will remove all weeds for you, your driveway pavers will look new again, weeds will take a long time to grow back up, and you won’t have to worry about it again for a good time.
