Are you tired of seeing weeds and grass between your paving bricks? Pulling weeds by hand is back-breaking work, and many homeowners find themselves doing this multiple times throughout the summer. The tips below can prevent weeds from growing between brick pavers and give you more time to enjoy your outdoor living space.
Pull Existing Weeds out by the Root
Before you can prevent new weeds from growing around your pavers, you need to get rid of the existing ones. Don’t chop them down with a weed-eater because that won’t eliminate problematic roots. Instead, pull the weeds out with the roots intact. This will require some extra labor, but it’s the best way to get long-term results.
Refill the Sand in Your Paver Joints
Keeping sand between your pavers is the best way to prevent weeds from growing in. Sand also keeps your pavers from shifting out of place, which can keep your pavers looking great for longer. Your sand may wash away over time, so make sure to top it off as needed.
Create an Edge Gap around Your Pavers
An edge gap is a small space separating the grass from your pavers. This creates a clean line around the paving bricks, but it also reduces the risk of grass growing in your paver joints. If the grass sits right against the pavers, it can easily travel into the joint lines. The gap makes that journey a little more difficult.
The edge gap should only be the size of your edge blade or trimming line – usually less than half an inch. Anything larger may allow water and sunlight in to fuel the weeds at the surface. Edge around your pavers every time you mow to keep weeds at bay.
Beware of Chemical Weed Killers
You can use a chemical spray to kill weeds, but be careful. Some chemicals may discolor your pavers. Test the spray in an inconspicuous area or on a spare paver before using it across your patio.
How to Restore Pavers after Weed Growth
If your paving bricks are overrun with weeds, you may need a complete restoration. Mortar City Masonry offers paver restoration services for driveways, patios, walkways, and other surfaces. We’ll clean out the weeds, reset your pavers, refresh the joint sand, and make your hardscape look like new. Contact us at (586) 533-1305 to schedule a quote for paving brick restoration.