Pavers and weeds in the joints.
#1
05-13-11, 12:49 PM
Pavers and weeds in the joints.
This topic kind of came up in another recent thread. I'm curious as to how bad this problem is or can be. I haven't seen too many paver walks/patios/driveways with grass/weeds growing in the cracks. Is it the use of polymeric sand that prevents this?
#2
05-13-11, 02:22 PM
Member
Polymeric probanly does not help much.
Most weeds are air borne and the seeds that settle (even on top) with germinate and can get down through anything. Polymeric effects deteriorate with exposure and is never usde on a major installation because of the installation problems, cost and long term life. It is also too coarse for some proper installations that are set with the correct tight joints. On a sloppy job or with stepping stones it does offer some advantages because pavement strength is not critical for those type of DIY projects.
The best soultion is a light spray with Roundup or similar once a year.
Dick
Most weeds are air borne and the seeds that settle (even on top) with germinate and can get down through anything. Polymeric effects deteriorate with exposure and is never usde on a major installation because of the installation problems, cost and long term life. It is also too coarse for some proper installations that are set with the correct tight joints. On a sloppy job or with stepping stones it does offer some advantages because pavement strength is not critical for those type of DIY projects.
The best soultion is a light spray with Roundup or similar once a year.
Dick
#3
05-13-11, 03:01 PM
As long as wifey is still at the hospital at work, I can say, use a light spray of roundup. She is organic, and gives me those looks when it comes up.
Grasses even trees can grow in the oddest places. We have the largest exposed dome of granite in the world just outside Atlanta called (appropriately) Stone Mountain. Just granite. From windborne dirt and seeds there are 20' tall pine trees growing on it in the crevasses.
Grasses even trees can grow in the oddest places. We have the largest exposed dome of granite in the world just outside Atlanta called (appropriately) Stone Mountain. Just granite. From windborne dirt and seeds there are 20' tall pine trees growing on it in the crevasses.
Yeah. I've seen some stuff grow in strange places myself.
#5
05-14-11, 03:40 PM
I've got pics of a paver patio I replaced with stamped concrete. The weeds had literally taken over. In the pics, you can barely see the bricks at all! So yes, it can be a big problem. The Roundup is the ticket. I'm not sure if it had any bearing on the non-use of weed killer, but the homeowner worked for the state Department of Natural Resources.
#6
05-14-11, 04:01 PM
Group Moderator
I've only recently (less than 2 years) started using polymeric sand. So far, knock on wood, no weeds in the joints but I know it's only a matter of time. This spring's cool weather with frequent rain and wind means I'm spraying weekly to control the weeds. It's not that the glyphosate (RoundUp) is not working it's just that nature abhors a vacuum and tries to fill it with weeds.
