Grass growing between patio slabs :(

hi guys. i have a problem with grass growing between my patio slabs. is there a weed killer that i could spray them with so they dont return til next summer (or for good) or is there something else i could do to prevent this? iv thought of pulling the slabs up and laying some sort of barrier down on the soil before putting the slabs back down but thats a lot of work and im not exactly great at laying slabs!! tips well appreciated!!

 

Resolva Weedkiller

http://www.livevideo.com/video/F537EBE3ED2046D892D2955FC041AEC0/resolva-weed-killer-www-resolv.aspx

 

If I've only got a few, I favour the 'old kitchen knife scraped between the slabs' technique to remove weeds. Whatever you do, don't take any slab up unless you're planning on re-laying the whole patio. No matter how experienced you may believe yourself to be at such things, it will never, ever go back as logic tells you it should. Take it from one who once found out .... the hard way!

 

I have about an inch joints on mine and filled them with pea gravel, Im thinking I might put something between mine to grow, maybe a herb or something. An ideas?

 

My neighbor beside me here uses straight vinegar on his to get rid of the grass, either from the jug or in a spray bottle, now depending on how much you have, it might take a couple applications, and it only takes a few days for it to die off.
Good luck.

 

thanks guys, il try the vinegar trick first as i have loads of it, if it doesnt work, il need a weedkiller. any recommendations for long ish grass killers?

 

I use weedol on my patio slabs. Just spray it on the gaps. It stops regrowth for a couple of months. There is always a bit soil wash into the slabs in my garden. Weeds seem to germinate on fresh air I think. I'm not keen on weed killers generally but I have no choice in my garden. The glyphosate weed killers won't stop regrowth in the joints by the way. It's great for getting rid of perennial weeds in the borders though.

Oops sorry I meant pathclear

 

If you're not in danger of run off from the path going to areas where you wouldn't want it then salt between the slabs will stop anything growing there.
Otherwise Pathclear says it will stop weeds germinating for a year - doesn't work for me but maybe it will for you.

 

If its so bad, I would take out all the old pointing, buy a B&Q Good Paving Weed Scraper for just over £3, scrape all the weeds out then spray all the joints with one of the weed killers already mentioned and then re-point.
TIP* when pointing, don't make a dryish mix, make it a wet mix and ad some PVA to it.
The longer mortar takes to dry the stronger it is and less chance of cracking/crumbling and letting weeds through after using a hose on the slabs etc.
The PVA also helps to keep the morter together and a better bond to the slabs.

 

I have just told hubby about this. We always wondered why our cement never worked. He was keeping it very dry. Now hopefully success. Thank you

 

Hya Rhyleysgranny, glad to help. :thmb:
The thing with pointing is its only thin and a small amount that's put in so does dry really quick especially if done in summer so by making it a wet mix its naturally taking longer to dry.
Also if the weather is warm or hot, I tend to hose the slabs down once iv scrapped all the old mortar out etc. then let the surface of the slabs dry and then point them, under the slabs will still be wet so also helps in stopping the mortar from drying too quick.
If you don't do this in warm weather then the slabs will suck all the moister out of the mortar and you'll end up with a week joint and will end up cracking and crumbling..

 

I use a flame gun, quick and easy and its fun.