ᐅ Paving Walkways – Permeable Joints / Weed-Free Solutions

Hello, we really like paved paths and surfaces. We already have them. However, what really bothers us is how quickly the joints fill with persistent weeds, and after 16 years, the algae growth (circular patches) has become unattractive. This algae is very firmly attached and can hardly be completely removed anymore.

My question is: Are there any recent developments to control both issues? Otherwise, what would be an alternative to paving? It should definitely be durable and low-maintenance, as the areas are large. Best regards, Steffi33.

Good morning Steffi,
off the top of my head, weed membrane under the gravel bed comes to mind.

Hello,

I have now paved a small area in front of the garden shed (about 8 square meters (86 square feet)). I also laid down a weed control fabric. I bought a thicker one, I think 300 grams per square meter (8.8 oz per square yard), at a good price on eBay. 20 square meters (215 square feet) for 21 €, unbeatable value.

Hello Neige, I’m afraid that won’t be enough... the seeds also come from above, and there seems to be enough space in the joints for the weeds to grow, right..? 🙁

Hello Steffi,
Unfortunately, the geotextile fabric doesn’t help much because weeds often come from airborne seeds.
There are special jointing sands designed to prevent weeds. However, I’m not sure how effective they really are.

A few tips:
After installation, apply jointing sand several times and thoroughly.
Sweep regularly and occasionally add more sand.
Remove any weeds that appear by pulling them out (including the roots, if possible) instead of using strong herbicides or flame weeders.

To prevent algae, use paving stones with a treated surface. Many suppliers offer special coatings for this. Of course, this costs extra. Cleaning with a pressure washer damages the stone surface, so it should be avoided.

Oh dear, that’s a tough one. Neighbors did something similar about 1 1/2 years ago. They prepared the ground, laid down a weed membrane, then a gravel bed, and finally paving stones. So far, they seem to be having no problems.