VIEWER QUESTION: I am having a paver patio installed in my backyard next week. The area had a lot of weeds that I sprayed a few weeks ago and is mostly clear. I have quite a bit of landscaping fabric from last year. I plan to install the landscaping fabric over the leveled compacted ground and then install 6 to 8 inches of crushed 3/4 stone. Two inches of sand over the crushed stone and then pavers go on top. Question-Is it ok to install landscaping fabric over compacted ground or am I wasting money by putting the fabric? Let me know your thoughts.
The utilization of fabric, commonly referred to as landscape fabric or geotextile, beneath a paver patio, is a subject that frequently sparks debate among homeowners and landscapers. Some advocate for the use of filter fabric to deter weed growth, while others argue that weeds will still grow with fabric. Undoubtedly, you have likely encountered numerous articles on this topic and experienced an overwhelming array of conflicting opinions. I’ll share my answer below in hopes to help you determine whether or not you want to invest the time and money into using filter fabric.
WILL LANDSCAPE FABRIC STOP WEEDS FROM GROWING UNDER MY PAVERS
In short, the answer is no. Whether you put fabric on your subsoil (the bottom) or add it on top of your base material (the top), weeds will still find their way onto your patio. Surprisingly, the weeds are not originating from beneath your bricks. Weed seeds, dust, and dirt are carried through the air by Mother Nature, eventually finding their way down in between the joints of your bricks. You may be wondering how the seeds germinate. Well, weed seeds only require a minimal amount of dirt, about 0.5 inches, to germinate. The bigger question is, can you permanently stop weeds from growing on your pavers?
CAN YOU STOP WEED GROWTH FOREVER UNDER YOUR PAVERS
The truth is, that you cannot completely eradicate weed growth, as there are many ways for weed seeds to travel. They’re carried by the wind, by our fur friends, by mowers, by foot traffic, and dropped by birds. However, you can take preventative measures to minimize weed growth, which will involve ongoing maintenance. By implementing these preventative measures and staying on top of maintenance, you can significantly reduce the presence of weeds between your pavers.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SUPPRESS WEED GROWTH ON MY PAVERS
You have two options. OPTION #1 is to add polymeric sand between the joints. This task is more like a requirement, especially if you want your pavers to be secured and not shift on you. Adding polymeric sand will also aid in preventing weed growth. You want to make sure that the polymeric sand you add stays 1/8 below the top of the paver. This reduces the chance of the sand eroding and being put under pressure by foot traffic.
OPTION #2: Apply a water-based sealer such as SEK SB-1300 Joint Stabilizing Sealer. This option is going to come down to what look you’re going for as a sealer gives a clean wet finished look. This sealer is one of the few that can be applied right after installation because it helps harden off the sand. How does a sealer help minimize weeds? It adds an extra “hard” layer to the sand making it more difficult for weed seeds to penetrate the soil allowing seed-to-soil contact. See this question about “How to remove weeds from in between my pavers” as it can help you with already established patios that have weeds.
