How to Get Rid of Weeds on Driveways and Patios
Most weeds on driveways and patios grow from windblown seed landing in dirty joints, not from soil below the paving. Remove them, clear the organic material they grow in, keep joints in good order and sweep regularly, and far fewer come back.
Published 24 September 2026
Why are weeds growing on my driveway?
It is a common assumption that every weed has pushed up from the soil beneath the paving. In practice most establish from the top: seeds blow in and settle in joints where organic material has collected between blocks.
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Weeds also exploit cracks and damaged joints, and gravel offers countless small spaces for seeds to take hold.
Weeds in block paving
Jointing sand gradually becomes contaminated and depleted. Windblown soil, seeds and bits of leaf fill the gaps and create an ideal germination bed.
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That is why pulling weeds alone rarely solves the problem. The conditions that let them grow are still there.
Weeds growing through patio cracks
On patios, weeds appear in the joints between slabs, in cracks, where pointing has broken down, along the edges and especially where the patio meets a lawn or border.
Weeds in gravel driveways
Airborne seeds land on gravel, and organic material builds up between the stones until they can root. Edges are usually the worst area.
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An appropriate gravel depth and, where relevant, a membrane underneath make a real difference. A treatment on its own does not give permanent prevention.
How to remove weeds from a driveway or patio
Remove weeds by hand where there are only a few, or use a suitable weed-control treatment for wider growth. Mechanical cleaning clears the accumulated organic material from joints, and jointing material can then be topped up where needed.
How to reduce weeds coming back
Keep surfaces swept and stop soil and debris building up. Maintain joints and edges, consider scheduled weed control, and deal with growth before it sets seed.
Should weeds be treated before driveway cleaning?
It depends on the surface and how much growth there is. Light weeds are usually removed as part of the clean. Where growth is heavy, we typically treat first, then use our Bristle Clean to lift the weeds and dirty jointing material together, before a final treatment helps slow regrowth. We will talk you through the right sequence for your surface.