Annoyingly intrusive, many of us have had to deal with the problem of weeds appearing between the cracks in our patios. Alongside being something of an eyesore, weeds can weaken and damage the patio tiles, often resulting in costly repairs.
However, knowing how to keep a patio weed free through regular maintenance can help prevent the invasive plant from repeatedly appearing in your garden. To help, we’ve put together this handy guide to show you how to get rid of weeds on patios.
Install a Suitable Membrane Beneath the Patio
A suitable membrane, such as a water permeable weed control fabric, beneath the patio can make a difference to invasive plant life appearing. Adding gravel alongside the membrane also ensures water can pass through while also acting as a weight to hold the membrane in place.
Use Polymeric Sand
Ideal for filling the joints between patio slabs, polymeric sand acts as a seal to prevent weeds creeping through the cracks. Unlike ordinary sand, polymeric sand is much finer and includes polymer additives to improve durability and stop weeds breaking through.
Burn Off the Weeds
Burning off the weeds can be a highly effective solution for killing off the structure, while a controlled burn also doesn’t risk other nearby plants like weed killer might. Alongside the plant itself, the surrounding area of soil should also be burned to ensure the root system and any other seeds are destroyed. However, remember to be careful when undertaking this approach to prevent injury to yourself and damage to the patio and surrounding property.
Treat the Weeds with Natural Remedies
A number of natural remedies, consisting of everyday household staples, can also make suitable options for clearing a patio of troublesome weeds.
- Salt – When applied to weeds, salt can effectively prevent the growth through dehydration.
- Baking Soda – Much like salt, baking soda dries out the weeds, ultimately killing them.
- Vinegar – Safer than weed killer, vinegar’s high acetic acid concentration can quickly dispose of most weeds within 24 hours.
- Boiling Water – Perhaps the most environmentally friendly option on our list, boiling water can rid a patio of weeds, though ensure the water is absorbed by the soil to effectively destroy the root system.
Use Chemical Treatments
Whilst also a danger to other plant life within a garden, chemical treatments are often highly effective at killing off weeds. Simply follow the instructions carefully and make sure to consider all other life in your garden when applied.
Use a Pressure Washer
An effective and often straightforward undertaking, using a pressure washer to remove weeds can often provide effective results. First, remove by hand all large visible weeds before pressure washing around the patio area. However, remember to run a test beforehand, as some pressure washers can damage tiled patios.
Ways to Keep Patio Weed-Free: Final Thoughts
Knowing how to get rid of weeds on patios can be a big help when it comes to maintaining your outdoor space. However, if you are thinking of installing a new patio or driveway for your property, we can help. Here at Modern Designs Driveways & Paving, we are driveway specialists and paving experts in Solihull and the wider Worcestershire and West Midlands area. To learn more about our services, call us on 07951 856360 or email mdunseith@live.co.uk.
