Protecting paving stones from grass and moss: prevention and removal

Beautiful and clean paving stones create a cozy and well-groomed space. And to achieve this result, it is necessary to systematically and properly maintain it to protect the pavement from unwanted stains and vegetation. 

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However, as you know, the best defense is prevention. And it is true. In order to solve the problem of grass overgrowth, you can simply prevent it at the stage of laying. 

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How to prevent grass from germinating in paving stones?

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To do this, you need to place a layer of materials under the paving slabs that will prevent grass and weeds from germinating. And there are several options for what to use to make the underlayment against grass germination:

• cardboard or paper impregnated with bitumen liquid. However, keep in mind that this option is from the "cheap and mean" series, but it's still better than nothing;
• a plastic film folded in several layers. It is also a very budget-friendly way to protect against grass germination. Keep in mind that this method will only be effective for a few years;
• roofing felt or roofing material. Such a substrate will cost more, but its effect will be more durable, because the material is not afraid of moisture. However, it is not very eco-friendly;
• geotextiles, consisting of fabric, sand, gravel, and crushed stone. Such a paving stone underlayment is the most professional and effective against weeds and grass germination in the paving stone seams. 
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Cleaning paving stones from grass

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However, if preventive measures against plant germination were not carried out during the laying of paving stones or were carried out ineffectively, you will still have to regularly "fight" with grass in the joints of paving slabs. There are several ways to properly clean paving stones from grass: 

• mechanical method. This method is tedious and involves manual removal of plants by weeding. Try to pull out the grass by the roots or cut it as low as possible with a tool (scissors or knife). You can also cover the pavers with a black film for a while, which will limit the access of oxygen and sunlight to the plants. And then remove the dead plants;
• washing the pavers with a high-pressure water jet. This way, you can wash away plant seeds that have fallen into the space between the pavers. But at the same time, the filling is washed out of the joints of the paving slabs. So be careful, and when you do this, don't forget to fill the space between the paving stones with a special filler;
• heat treatment, which involves pouring boiling water over the joints. It will also help to get rid of unwanted plants between the paving slabs;
• chemical treatment. It involves fighting plants in the pavement with special chemicals. In particular, you can use acid-based products that will literally burn the plants. Or chemicals based on herbicides. This method of cleaning paving stones from grass is effective, but do not forget to protect your hands, eyes, and respiratory system from the harmful effects of chemical solutions.

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Attention: What you absolutely CANNOT do is pour salt into the space between the pavers to stop the grass from germinating. This is strictly forbidden, as salt and water will get inside the pavers and destroy their structure. 

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Similarly, for the same reason, you should not sprinkle salt on paving slabs in the event of ice or snow accumulation. Special de-icing agents should be used to combat dangerous icing. 

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How to protect paving stones from moss?

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Moss and fungus can also negatively affect not only the appearance but also the condition and durability of paving stones. The appearance of such biological factors is most often the result of errors in the laying of paving slabs and/or poor maintenance. 

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Therefore, it is important to take certain preventive measures in the process of paving stone maintenance to avoid the appearance of moss. After all, cleaning paving stones from moss is the result of improper maintenance. Preventive work to protect paving stones from moss involves regular treatment with a solution containing iron and ammonium sulfates. 

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In particular, paving stone cleaners are effective in combating moss, as we wrote about in the blog "Paving slabs care: how to keep them looking good?". 

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