We are currently still living in our rental apartment, and since we planted the balcony for the first time, we have been having trouble with weeds. They grow out of the joints between the tiles.
It seems to us that the individual tiles were not laid very carefully, and the gaps between the tiles, especially along the outer edges and near the railing, are quite large.
Today, when I was setting up the umbrella and moving two larger plant pots apart, I was almost shocked. There’s what looks like half a wild meadow growing there! These strange weed creatures, see photo, have extremely thick stems and roots.
And quite unpleasant: many small gray creatures live there, strange woodlice that quickly ran back into the joints.
My quick attempt with my joint cleaner was unsuccessful; I can’t reach the roots at all.
In general, it’s a futile effort: I pull weeds about twice a week, but dandelions and chives (yes, really!) keep growing between the joints. Especially the chives, I can’t get rid of them with the joint cleaner.
Last year I already went to a garden center looking for a weed killer, but somehow they didn’t want to sell me anything suitable. It might be tricky on a balcony with children around, etc. I think I will go to a proper hardware store early tomorrow to get some kind of chemical treatment. Do you have any tips? Also happy to hear about special tools or materials that can be applied into the joints.
It seems to us that the individual tiles were not laid very carefully, and the gaps between the tiles, especially along the outer edges and near the railing, are quite large.
Today, when I was setting up the umbrella and moving two larger plant pots apart, I was almost shocked. There’s what looks like half a wild meadow growing there! These strange weed creatures, see photo, have extremely thick stems and roots.
And quite unpleasant: many small gray creatures live there, strange woodlice that quickly ran back into the joints.
My quick attempt with my joint cleaner was unsuccessful; I can’t reach the roots at all.
In general, it’s a futile effort: I pull weeds about twice a week, but dandelions and chives (yes, really!) keep growing between the joints. Especially the chives, I can’t get rid of them with the joint cleaner.
Last year I already went to a garden center looking for a weed killer, but somehow they didn’t want to sell me anything suitable. It might be tricky on a balcony with children around, etc. I think I will go to a proper hardware store early tomorrow to get some kind of chemical treatment. Do you have any tips? Also happy to hear about special tools or materials that can be applied into the joints.
@Danni:
"But basically the question is, why did the slabs have to be laid with gaps?"
Answer:
Even terrace slabs with joints must be installed with gaps because every material, gas, or liquid expands when heated.
The surface temperature of an outdoor covering can reach up to +60°C (140°F), depending on the color. If the slabs were installed tightly against each other without gaps, compressive stresses would build up within the surface layer that need to be released somewhere. Ideally, these stresses are relieved through the joints; otherwise, there could be warping if the slabs are firmly pressed against the edges.
Regards, KlaRa
"But basically the question is, why did the slabs have to be laid with gaps?"
Answer:
Even terrace slabs with joints must be installed with gaps because every material, gas, or liquid expands when heated.
The surface temperature of an outdoor covering can reach up to +60°C (140°F), depending on the color. If the slabs were installed tightly against each other without gaps, compressive stresses would build up within the surface layer that need to be released somewhere. Ideally, these stresses are relieved through the joints; otherwise, there could be warping if the slabs are firmly pressed against the edges.
Regards, KlaRa
Thanks KlaRa, maybe I phrased the question incorrectly. So why aren’t they allowed to be grouted? They are laid on some kind of granulate, and there is nothing in the joints. To prevent dirt from being swept into them, I vacuum the balcony. That’s also quite extreme. But still, I now see a thousand little green plants growing in the joints, one next to the other. Even if I were able to pull them all out with tweezers, which would be a Sisyphean task, new seeds would always settle there and germinate. Which, by the way, has already happened: there are tripping hazards because some tiles are no longer level by just a few millimeters (millimeters) (inches). Previously, we had grouted granite tiles. That was great. But the property management and their architect didn’t want that anymore. Now there are tiles, I believe these are porcelain stoneware. Given how they are laid, can’t they also shift?
Best regards,
daggi1410
Best regards,
daggi1410
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