How to Permanently Get Rid of Weeds in the Driveway: Tips, Tricks & FAQs

Weeds are a nuisance, plain and simple. Not only do they look terrible in the driveway, but they can actually cause extensive damage. For example, if you have a concrete driveway cracking, the weeds can cause the cracks to worsen as they grow up and push through.

It’s pretty hard to get rid of weeds permanently; unfortunately, they are a part of life. However, there are several ways that you can kill weeds completely. Just expect to potentially have to repeat the killing process when new ones take their place.

Here’s how you can destroy the weeds in your driveway:

The 5 Tips & Tricks on How to Permanently Get Rid of Weeds in the Driveway

1. Weed Killer

The quickest and most effective way to deal with weeds is with a powerful chemical weed killer. There are many different options available, and you can easily purchase most of them from your local garden supply center.

One thing to keep in mind is that many of the killers are not great for the environment and are often toxic to pets and children. So, a heavy-duty weed killer may not be the best option for your situation.

2. Salt

Rock salt is a non-toxic and cheap option for killing weeds. The nice thing about salt is it also discourages weed growth in the future. You can either spread the salt over the ground or dissolve it in a small amount of boiling water and spray it on the weeds.

Going with salt instead of a chemical may require a couple of applications for the desired result. One thing to keep in mind is that salt can also change the soil quality in surrounding areas. So, if you’re planning on planting flowers near where you’re salting, it’ll probably require extra fertilizer in the future.

3. Boiling Water

Using boiling water to kill weeds is one of the most eco-friendly and safe ways to kill weeds. However, it’s the least effective compared to the previous two ways. Pour boiling water directly on the plant to kill the weed and its roots.

You’ll have to do it every day for a few days to kill the weed. Unfortunately, this won’t do anything to discourage future growth.

4. Manually

The other option is to pull weeds out manually to get rid of them. In a situation where you can access the weed easily and actually dig it out by the roots, this is an effective way of getting rid of them without anything but a little trowel.

Keep in mind that if you leave any of the weed’s roots intact, you’ll likely have the weed growing back in a few days. Also, digging the weed out manually won’t prevent new ones from taking their place down the road.

5. Reseal the driveway

If you’re struggling with weeds popping through cracks in the driveway, it can be hard to stay on top of it. The best way to prevent further damage is to kill the weeds you can and then reseal the driveway.

You can either hire a professional to do this or get one of several DIY kits on the market. A common way to repair driveway cracks is with an epoxy-like filler. Then you roll on a new sealer to protect it from the elements. This can prevent weeds from coming through for many years when done right.

FAQ

Is it true that vinegar will kill weeds?

Vinegar will kill the weed’s leaves, but common household vinegar usually won’t kill the roots. So, using vinegar will be a temporary solution if it does anything. Rock salt is your best bet if you want to go the natural route.

What do I do when the weeds in my driveway keep coming back?

It’s very hard to get rid of weeds permanently, especially when the driveway protects them. The most permanent solution is to use a systemic weed killer that soaks in and destroys the roots and then reseal your driveway to prevent them from coming back. When done properly, this solution usually lasts for many years.

Will bleach work to kill weeds?

Chlorine bleach is another viable option for killing weeds. Either concentrated or diluted with water will work. However, if you’re doing an area at the edge of the driveway with healthy grass, a bleach solution will likely kill the surrounding grass.

Conclusion

Weeds are generally a pain in the butt, but there are a few ways that you can deal with them. Ultimately, if weeds are a problem in your driveway, the best cure is to reseal the driveway once you’ve killed them. This will give you the lasting results you want.

Featured Image Credit: Patryk Kosmider, Shutterstock