Best weedkiller for driveway/patio

It's sending me nuts having to continually clear up weeds growing between the patio slabs (18") and driveway (herringbone pattern bricks).

The main problem seems to be the roots(90% of the time get left behind when doing it by hand (plus the skinned knuckles). I've tried pressure washing the cracks and then re-sanding but they just grow back in a few weeks

Is there an easier way around this or decent weedkiller product people can recommend.
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Comments

  • Davesnave
    Davesnave Posts: 34,741 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    You want to buy a product that will persist in the soil/sand beneath the cracks and poison anything that tries to grow there....and so do millions of other people

    Governments have decided to ban substances that persist in soil and work by poisoning it. This is because millions of people spreading poisons that end up in water supplies cause problems for wildlife and producing safe drinking water. The last chemical that worked by poisoning soil was sodium chlorate, which was withdrawn in 2011.

    So...your basic choice for weedkiller is restricted to a product called glyphosate, which breaks down into non-persistent chemicals as soon as it hits the ground.Sometimes, it has extra additives in branded products, but its action is the same; it prevents plants it touches making food, (photosynthesis) so they die in about 3 weeks. Obviously, this isn't great for people who want instant results and protection from further seed germination.

    People will be along with various home remedies shortly, but ever since people have had paved areas there have been weeds growing between the bricks/slabs etc. I used to have a block paved drive and I remember digging out the grot about twice a year, even when sodium chlorate existed. It will be much the same for white vinegar, rock salt or any of the other contaminants people use; they wash away, ultimately into rivers.

    In short, it's a maintenance job that comes with the territory.
  • Tom99
    Tom99 Posts: 5,371 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary
    Have you tried a weed burner? I am not saying they are the ultimate solution but they are very easy to use and do give you the satisfaction of an instant result.
  • Hi,


    have a read here, similar thread.
  • martinthebandit
    martinthebandit Posts: 4,422 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts
    Tom99 wrote: »
    Have you tried a weed burner? I am not saying they are the ultimate solution but they are very easy to use and do give you the satisfaction of an instant result.

    I use one and, yes it does give a certain sense of satisfaction as you burn the blighters.
  • Davesnave
    Davesnave Posts: 34,741 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I use one and, yes it does give a certain sense of satisfaction as you burn the blighters.
    I use one too....for lighting the barbecue! Too slow for me and it still leaves the roots.

    There's a large version called the Sheen Flame Gun that runs on paraffin, but it needs a fair amount of faffing-about preparation, as you'll see if you Google a You Tube video of it.
  • J_B
    J_B Posts: 6,751 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Davesnave wrote: »
    So...your basic choice for weedkiller is restricted to a product called glyphosate, ............


    Also known as Roundup. :)
  • kerri_gt
    kerri_gt Posts: 11,202 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Xmas Saver!
    Not sure on the effect overall on the roots but I use boiling water to get rid of unwanted weeds / grass in our path
    Feb 2015 NSD Challenge 8/12
    JAN NSD 11/16


  • J_B
    J_B Posts: 6,751 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    jk0 wrote: »
    I use Pathclear, which seems to work okay:


    http://weedicide.co.uk/weedol-pathclear-review/


    <<Weedol Pathclear contains the active ingredient, glyphosate diflufenican.>>


    :D
  • getmore4less
    getmore4less Posts: 46,882 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've helped Parliament
    Get a £6 5ltr sprayer from wilko

    Get the reduced(75% off min) price stuff at end of season from anywhere.
    (or the strong stuff from other sources)

    Spray once a week or as new stuff appears
    (dilute less to be more effective)

    Little and often works on the rooted stuff even hard like brambles.
    New seedlings get them early

    Regular cleaning helps to stop new seeds and nutrition(dirt) get into the cracks.
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