should we get our block paved drive sealed with Picseal?

[yoink]

I've just had a guy come to the front door selling his services with this product. He says they'd blast out the old sand between the blocks (along with the weeds that come up all summer) and replace with new sand. They'd then reseal and it would keep the weeds out completely.

This is definitely something I'd be interested in as it's a right ball ache keeping the weeds out, but it seems pricey - £750 for two hours work over two days. It's an area that is equivalent to about four or five cars (as it goes around the sides of the house).

Anyone got any experience of this?

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

No, call in a local firm if you want it done. I avoid door knockers.

If you have lots of weeds it's because when the drive was put down the foundations weren't deep enough.

You can buy the seal stuff from Homebase iirc, I remember the chap who put our drive down telling me.

[yoink]

ah OK, I didn't think of that angle!

[yoink]

oh dear, now I've just read a thread elsewhere of people saying sealing affects drainage and you can end up with puddles you didn't have before. And also that it can look a bit naff!

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Yes I imagine it can affect drainage and the whole point of bricks is that it drains well. Do you use spray weed killer and a long handled weed hie thing?

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

**hoe

[yoink]

A strimmer. So they keep coming back. But tbh, using a spray weedkiller makes my hand cramp up the area is so large.

[MillieMoodle]

Our window cleaner also does drive cleaning and he gave us a quote today (£200 for weedkiller, cleaning and re-sanding for a drive that fits 4 cars). He doesn't do sealing for drives any more, he says there's no point and it's more expensive than the actual cleaning. He said it will stop most of the weeds but it only really lasts 12 months or so with cars going over it every day and then it would need treating again. He said we're better off to weed killer it every year.

[Ptarmigandancinginthegloaming]

I don't think weeds appear due to bad foundations, on my drive they grow from seeds which land in the sand with bits of leaf and muck which form enough compost for them. I thought this was fairly inevitable?

I wouldn't risk sealing mine as it already forms big puddles which take a while to drain....I might end up with my own swamp!

[goingtotown]

About 300 grams of salt in a watering can sprayed over the drive will kill the weeds within 2 weeks. It took 4 watering cans to do my drive. Cost about £1.

[Ptarmigandancinginthegloaming]

I like the sound of that, going - reluctant to use potent weedkillers lest they get trodden onto the lawn where we put our bunnies out, but salt would be much less risky imo :-)

[Jaimx86]

Watching with interns and hopefully a solution. Our gift drive is a nightmare (6 cars easily)as weeds grow as soon as we clear them. DP and I can spend all day on the drive (dint won't to upset the neighbours with a messy front) and within a few days they're growing again. We're desperate for a solution.

[Jaimx86]

Goingtotowm, how much water per 300g salt is needed?

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I wouldn't risk sealing mine as it already forms big puddles which take a while to drain....I might end up with my own swamp

Which would suggest it wasn't laid as well as it could have been if puddles form as it should all drain away.

The odd weed will settle in the sandy bits but seriously if the foundations are deep enough you shouldn't need to have more than a quick spray or tug them up now and again .

Salt sounds a good solution!

[goingtotown]

jaimx86 a full watering can, probably a gallon.

[yoink]

salt eh? really?! Well that sounds like a much better idea, thank you!