Weeds in paving joints: how to get rid of them for good
Pulling grass from the joints every weekend is not the only option. Methods that work — and ones that only waste time.
Grass in the joints is the most common complaint from paving owners. Nothing solves the problem once and for all, but the right approach cuts weeding from weekly to once a season.
Why weeds grow in joints at all
Seeds blow in on the wind and lodge in jointing sand, which gradually collects dust and organic matter. The older and dirtier the joint, the richer this “bed”.
What does not work
Vinegar and salt: they kill the top, the root stays, and salt damages both the stone and the soil around it. Ordinary pulling: roots of thistle and dandelion stay in the joint and regrow within two weeks.
What works
- Thermal treatment: a gas burner or boiling water destroys plant cells including the root collar. Two or three passes a season keep paving clean - Mechanical joint cleaning with a special hook or wire brush: slow but thorough - Polymeric jointing sand: after washing, joints are filled with sand that hardens and stops seeds germinating. The most long-lasting solution
A combined approach
Best results come from a package: professional paving wash, clearing of old joints, filling with polymeric sand and treating the edges. After that light annual prevention is enough.
We do the full package in one or two days, including washing off moss and dirt. The terrace or driveway looks newly laid again.