No matter how well paving might be laid, all paving, from the very top-of-the-range to the not-quite-so-good, require some basic maintenance to keep it weed free. Maintenance keeps paving in prime condition: lack of maintenance allows paving to deteriorate and weeds to grow.
Even if it’s just a basic wash-down with soapy water, all types and forms of paving will look so much better for it, and keep it weed free for a little while. The good news is that cleaning is usually easy and even the most neglected or abused pavement can often be given a new lease of life with just a little effort.
Dealing with weeds
Weeds are simply plants that are growing in an inconvenient place, and there’s few places more inconvenient that your new. There are two common myths regarding weeds and paving:
Myth 1: Certain types of paving/surfacing are “weed-free”
Myth 2: Weeds grow up through brick paving
Firstly, there is no such thing as a weed-free surface. If dirt is allowed to accumulate on the surface of your paving, it will only be a matter of time before weeds decide to set up camp. When properly laid, weeds do NOT grow through brick paving. Weeds will grow INTO paving, by colonising the sand-filled joints or settling onto accumulated dirt, but it is very rare for weeds to grow through 200mm or so of paving.
Keeping Weeds Away
Weeds can usually be pulled off the surface of most paving, or scraped off using a garden fork. Where roots have been sent down into the jointing, removal of the weed often brings away some of the sand, and this should be replaced as soon as the surface is clean. Partially-filled or empty joints are detrimental to paving performance.
Once the paved surface has been cleared of weeds, it makes sense to keep it weed-free for the future. Generally, regular traffic, by foot or vehicle, will limit the ability of weeds to re-colonise an area, but for those areas experiencing little or no traffic, three simple anti-weed strategies are available:
1 – Regular sweeping– this disturbs newly emerging weeds and gets them before they can fully establish themselves
2 – Weedkiller – Weedkillers have their uses and, when used with care, can be very effective at killing off existing weeds and deterring re-colonisation for a period of weeks or even months.
Choose chemicals sold as suitable for paving or garden use, as they tend to be slightly more selective and target the weeds without discolouring the paving or killing off adjacent lawns or bedding plants. Look for natural alternatives as well.
3 – Sealants – A good quality sealant will prevent weeds settling into the paving structure. However, even the very best sealant cannot prevent the build-up of dirt, and if this is allowed to accumulate on top of a surface, the weeds will quite happily take up residence, regardless of the sealant.
And if you don’t have time to maintain your paving, give us a call today to get the best possible advice and no-obligation quote for cleaning, regrouting and sealing your paving. Our Pavecleen system has been perfected over many years, to bring you the best quality results.
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