Weeds on Patio

[furnitureman]

Just had a new block paving patio layed. I specified the guys put a plastic membrane down first to stop the weeds growing through but I was told these are "useless". Instead the guy "sealed" it with Kiln Dried Sand. Can anybody say if this is better or will it do the job effectively or have I just been flanneled. Thanks.

[The Builder]

Oh dear F-man .................... it's not actually a plastic membrane that's needed. It's a porous landscaping fabric that holds back weeds, but allows water to drain.
Kiln Dried sand is just for the grouting/pointing between the blocks. It wouldn't seal a thing.
The fabric is very good and used all the time.

[beejay1124]

agree with the builder re plastic sheet-it wouldnt let the water drain off
also the tiny weed seeds from nearby weeds will find small cracks to get into

[craft1948]

Had mine done last year.........all I know is it was black.........

[smurfchops]

Unfortunately you will get weeds growing in the sand .... and plenty of ants ... they dig all the sand out and you will find little holes where they nest. It happened to me. I just put salt down where the weeds are and talcum powder where the ants are. Leaves a lovely white mess all over the drive, but it will wash off. It won't happen for a couple of years though ...

[The Builder]

Now there's a man who knows his weeds F-man, so he does
Hi beej

[beejay1124]

hi builder--manly handshake

[heathfield]

The only thing about landscaping fabric is that, while it will stop most weeds, it won't stop grass. If the spacing is narrow enough between the paving, I'd consider removing the sand and using a flexible grout.

[SlackAlice]

I have block-paving at the front of my house laid on a very weak mix of compacted cement, with kiln dried sand brushed into the joins.
All I do in the spring is to use 'Pathclear' in a watering can. No weeds/grass for the year.

[johntaylor99]

HI F MAN
If you search around you can now buy a mastic gun and a grout made to fill between slabs, I would suggest that you apply a good weed killer first then fiil the gaps.
best of luck
johntaylor99

[bizzylizzy]

I spent several hours weeding in between the bricks of our driveway yesterday. And I know that they'll be back in a couple of weeks. As has been said, pathclear is the way to go I reckon. I usually don't like using chemicals but it's becoming more and more appealing. Shame the people who laid your patio didn't put a membrane down, that would definitely have helped, but you'll still get weeds in between the slabs/bricks eventually. Good luck.

[cleggie]

when we lay block paving we first put down about 4 to 6 inch of limestone and compact it then about 3 inch sand again compacted.then get the levels and lay the blocks,again wacker the blocks to compact and then brush kiln dried sand over the finished paving.The limestone stops almost anything growing through.you may just get a few things in the sand between blocks ie seeds dropped by birds or blown from wind.But basically nothing grows thru the limestone

[P_Lactophobe]

Any thoughts on using a brush in bonding polymeric jointing compound?

See http://www.pavingexpert.com/point02.htm

[landscaper2]

We use a whacked 100mm lean mix concrete sub base with the blocks laid on 50mm consolidated sand and have done so for the last 25 years. This iliminates the problem of ruts and dips appearing over time. Weed seeds will germinate in the jointing sand in the less trafficked areas, but are easily eradicated with proprietory herbicides.

The new SUDS drainage recommendations may alter our procedure in some cases however.