Driveways and patios

Why weeds grow in block paving, and how to slow them down

Where the weeds in your paving come from, and the simple things that keep them under control.

· 2 min read

Block-paved driveway with weeds and dirt before cleaning

Weeds pushing up between paving blocks are one of the most common complaints about block-paved driveways and paths.

Where they come from

Weed seeds arrive on the wind, from birds and from nearby borders. They settle in the joints between blocks, where dirt and moisture collect. When the jointing sand has worn away, there’s even more room for soil to build up and roots to grow.

Why joint sand helps

Joints that are full of fine, dry sand leave little space for soil and seeds. That’s one reason block paving is re-sanded with kiln-dried sand after cleaning. See why block paving needs re-sanding.

Keeping weeds down

  • Sweep often so soil and seeds don’t settle in the joints.
  • Pull weeds early, before their roots go deep and before they seed.
  • Keep the joints topped up with sand.
  • Cut back borders that spill onto the paving.

When they’re out of control

If weeds and moss have taken over the joints, a full clean clears them out so the paving can be re-sanded. Our gallery has photos of both: driveways with weeds in the joints, and clean, freshly sanded blocks.

See driveway cleaning or ask for a quote.

JustBinCleaned van with its bin washing rig at the back, parked on a residential street

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