Seal over the weeds? - Best time to seal new block paved drive

[simonchapman]

When my contractor finished my new block paved driveway in November, he said the weather wasn't ideal for applying the sealer and he would return when it was dry. Four months later, he still hasn't sealed it but says he will do so next week. Trouble is there are now gazillions of tiny green seedlings populating the sand between the bricks. I asked him if these seedlings need to be removed before he seals the drive and he said no because the sealer includes a weedkiller. I have visions of the mass of little weeds being trapped under the sealer and making the drive unsightly even if they die. Is he right or is he taking the easy route?

Thanks for your help and for this magnificent resource.

Simon

[msh paving]

Don't even think off sealing the weeds in they need removing,don't pressure wash them out ,no sealer has weedkiller in it, what is he planning on using ,don't even let him dream off thompson water seal,or wicks patio seal,he will be lucky to seal a drive way next week temp to cold needs to be perfectly dry no rain coming and kiln dry sand bone dry,MSH

[Tony McC]

I'm with Mark - the sealant won't include a weedkiller, so it needs de-foliating before any sealing is done. The only way to do that properly is to use a liquid weedkiller, and so that will then need at least 3 perfectly dry days to lose any residual moisture, and that's assuming it doesn't rain between now and then.

I also agree that next week is probably a tad early for sealing. I have a contact with a driveway that was built in September of last year. The contractor said more or less the same - seal it next year, but we talked this week and agreed that we will probably leave it until May, when we've had two or three dry and warm days to drive off any residual moisture.

For solvent-based sealants, moisture is a HUGE problem. Check which sealant yer man is planning to use. Unless it's one of the relatively rare water-based sealants, tell him to bugger off until after the May Day Bank Holiday.

[simonchapman]

Thanks guys! Think I will spray on weedkiller myself tomorrow and then put the sealing off for 6 weeks (by when I might need to kill more weeds). I also need to get rid of bird droppings. (It drives me nuts that there are zero droppings for miles on the road outside, none on the lawn, but show them a shiny new driveway and they bombard it...)

I've noticed that a couple of the bricks are crumbling. Don't know if this is normal but I will ask him to replace them.

Simon