[drive surgeon]

hi, do you guys put weed killer down after re sanding so weeds dont grow in the fresh sand? or do you just put it down before sanding? or both?

[Majestic]

When I go to price a job if they say yes I spray any area then  so when I go back to do it most of the weeds are dead.
Then after I have done the power washing and packed up I  give it another go

[drive surgeon]

i think it might be best to put weedkiller down after pressure washing to kill any remaining roots under the blocks, and after re sanding to stop any further stuff growing in the fresh sand.?? is this right?   as grasses and weeds can grow in days in new sanded joints.

[Ian Rochester]

Pressure wash, then weed kill using a glycacol product to get deep down, then sand.
 
The sand is sterile so nothing should grow in it

[lowesdarwen]

what sort of weedkiller do you lot use, just roundup, or something cheaper???

cheers

[Andy Foster]

Most weedkillers are designed to be absorbed through the leaves and foliage so applying after cleaning would be a waste of time.
Those that work on any organic matter (i.e.- the remaining roots if any) are normally pretty nasty substances and I for one would not be happy applying them to a domestic property because of the risks to children and pets.

I always suggest that if weedkiller is required that either the customer or I apply it 3-4 weeks before cleaning to ensure all weeds are dead, then try and get them to agree to a maintenance treatment every quarter... keeps the drive weed free and you can prompt them when it needs cleaning again.

HTH

Andy

[drive surgeon]

good info, i will take it all on board and decide,

[mark.laycock1@ntlw]

are you still getting driveway cleaning this late in the year.

[Andy Foster]

9am tomorrow, clean sand and seal block paved drive and clean patio.

Still coming... thank goodness

[drive surgeon]

yes i am still, last year had none from august till feb, 

this year much better!

[mark.laycock1@ntlw]

and how have you kept them coming it.

[Andy Foster]

Most of my work comes through BNI (networking breakfast club) and I keep them coming back by giving good customer service.

Don't know what else to say really.

Andy

[drive surgeon]

doing a good job and telling the customer to get it cleaned before christmas so it looks nice for visitors over the festive period and to stop it getting slippy!

[lowesdarwen]

yep, mine still coming to, got 1 at the weekend and just price up another tonight, so fingers crossed they keep comin!!!

[drive surgeon]

was thinking or cleaning and re sanding then soaking the whole lot with strong weedkiller so it soaks through the sand and into the roots undermeath.  the sand might hold the weedkiller too to stop any further weed growth for a while!!

[steve doyle]

only prob with weedkiller after sanding is that it washes the sand out and when it drys it leaves tide marks over the drive, you could do it before cleaning, immediatly after cleaning or a week or two after finnishing in my opinion.

I am basing the above on the assumption you will put it on with a watering can.

[drive surgeon]

thats right steve, i may just put it on straight after cleaning then before sanding which i would obviously do on another day.

[Ged]

as andy says apply weedkiller prior to cleaning. use a systemic one that kills the roots ie glyphosphate aka roundup.

[jjames]

As Andy has said most weedkillers are designed to be absorbed through the leaves of weeds. It would be a complete waste of time unless there is sufficient growth especially with grass. I do a lot of weed control work throughout the year and the best product to use is roundup biactive which should be available from your local farm suppliers. Although it will cost around £35 per 5 litres it has a low dilution of 100ml per litre of water as so is very cost effective.

Justin

[Ged]

justin

are you sure about that dilution rate. i use 40 : 1  ie 25ml per litre for spot weed treatment  and it is effective

Ged