This Easy Trick Keeps Weeds From Popping Up Between Pavers

I used to spend way too much time yanking weeds out from between my patio pavers. One week they’d be gone, and the next, they’d be right back, waving at me like they owned the place. If you’ve got a paved walkway, patio, or driveway, you probably know what I’m talking about.

Weeds love to sneak into every crack and gap. And once they’re in, they bring their whole extended family. But after years of playing tug-of-war with those little green pests, I finally found a simple trick that keeps them out for good—and no, it doesn’t involve harsh chemicals or hours of kneeling on hot concrete.

Let me show you how to stop weeds from ever showing up in the first place.

Why Weeds Love Your Pavers

First, let’s clear one thing up: those little spaces between your pavers? Perfect real estate for weeds. Dirt gets in, wind brings seeds, and before you know it, there’s a full-blown weed village growing between your bricks.

Sure, you can pull them out or spray them, but that’s like sweeping sand off the beach. They’ll be back. The key is to block them from the start—and that’s where my easy trick comes in.

The Trick: Polymeric Sand

Forget regular sand or gravel fillers. The real secret weapon? Polymeric sand.

It looks like regular sand, but it’s mixed with special binders that harden when you wet it. Once it sets, it locks those gaps between pavers so tightly that weeds (and even ants) can’t break through. It also helps keep your pavers from shifting around over time.

Here’s how I use it:

1. Clean the gaps – I grab a broom or a shop vac and get all the loose debris and old sand out.
2. Pour the polymeric sand – I sprinkle it over the pavers and sweep it into all the cracks until they’re filled.
3. Compact and sweep again – I lightly tap the pavers or use a plate compactor if it’s a big area. Then I sweep off any extra sand from the surface.
4. Lightly mist with water – The final step is spraying the whole area with a fine mist of water. Don’t flood it—just enough to activate the binding agents in the sand.

That’s it. Once it dries (usually within a day), it hardens up like grout.

Why It Works So Well

I’ve tried everything from boiling water to vinegar sprays, but nothing worked long-term like this. Polymeric sand blocks out the sunlight, keeps seeds from settling, and seals the deal. It lasts for years and only takes an afternoon to apply.

Since I made the switch, I haven’t seen a single weed pop up between my pavers. Not one. And trust me, my knees are thankful.

If you’re tired of pulling weeds every weekend or spending money on sprays that don’t last, give this trick a shot. It’s simple, cheap in the long run, and actually works. No more garden battles—just clean, weed-free pavers that stay that way.