Thursday, June 8, 2017

Weed Tips for Hardscapes


The summer season is here, which means the dreaded weeds are finding their way to the surface. They like to show up in the most inconvenient places, making a beautiful patio an eyesore with a tough job to clean up. Weeds start growing in the cracks of patio pavers due to joints not properly filled with polymeric sand, or if the sand has weathered out. This allows the joint to fill with dirt and become conductive to growing weeds. Here are some helpful tips to take care of your hardscapes!
bushy patio
 
Use the Proper Tools
Weeds in hardscapes can be challenging to take care of, but with the proper tools, you can keep them controlled. We have found that the a string-trimmer, hand-pulling, a propel flame, or a natural, non-selective weed control product are some of the best ways to work with getting rid of weeds. Depending on the severity of the weeds in the area you’re working with will determine the process you’ll need to successfully get rid of them for good.
 
Invest in Polymeric Sand
If you want to be smart and efficient with your time and money, invest in polymeric sand to fill between the cracks of your patio pavers. Regular sand won’t do the trick - polymeric sand is a mix of sand and a polymeric bonding agent that hardens the sand once the bonding agents are activated by water. It’s in the best practices to replace polymeric sand every three to five years.
 
Spray and Powerwash
Spraying weeds and then power washing  is one of the most efficient ways to rid yourself of the pesky invaders. Existing weeds in a patio can be killed with a weed control product. Once they are dead, you can power wash the surface and into the joints to remove any dirt and old sand. Replacing with new polymeric sand will prohibit future weed growth.
 
At Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone, we have a variety of polymeric sand options to get the job done. For more information on our inventory and services, you can visit our website, or give us a call today at (847)-888-6133. Let us help you choose the right product for your job!