Put An End To Weeds Growing In Cracks With One Effective, Affordable Solution

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Weeds invading your lawn, driveway, and other areas around your home's foundation seem like nature's version of spam emails. They are relentless, annoying, and just when you think you have gotten rid of them, they find their way back. Getting rid of weeds in your garden and lawn is enough of a job to tackle on its own. But what about when they are growing in the cracks of your asphalt? Sure, you could call a landscaping company to apply a weed-killer application. You could perform the back-breaking task of pulling the weeds up every few weeks. Or you can nip the problem in the bud by applying a backer rod and asphalt sealant to the cracks.

Left unchecked, weeds will spread across your pavement in any crevice available. As they grow taller and wider, they may begin widening the cracks in your asphalt, setting the stage for a host of potential structural issues. This affordable weed-removal hack has a two-pronged approach that can stop weeds in their tracks. 

Placing backer rods in the cracks will help fill the open gaps, and the sealant will close the cracks to prevent the weeds from popping back up. To start the project, you will need to purchase a few supplies, including Sika self-leveling asphalt sealant, Wells Lamont gardening gloves, and M-D foam backer rod set. All these items can be purchased for less than $15.

Get an idea of how many inches or feet of backer rod you will need before starting this project. Look at the cracks and coverage area beforehand to determine this. Use a tape measure if needed. This will prevent you from making an extra store run later. Before applying the rods, grab your gloves and remove visible weeds by hand, as you do not want any sticking out from the side once your sealant is down. After pulling them, toss them into your garbage bag. You can also spray the cracks with a quality store-bought weed remover or your own DIY weed killer. Next, cut your backer rods as needed. If you are working with an area that is several feet, cut the rods to about 2 or 3 feet in length. This should make it easier to apply.

Next, take your backer rods and stuff them down into the cracks, filling the gaps until there is no more than a quarter inch of space between them and the top of the pavement. Now, take your self-leveling sealant and carefully pour it into the cracks, filling the space as you go. If possible, perform this task walking backward to prevent stepping on the sealant by mistake. Once the sealant levels and dries, it will close the cracks in the pavement, banishing those weeds back to the underworld where they belong.