Primary keyword: prevent weeds and shifting brick paver driveways Variants: stop weeds between driveway pavers, prevent paver driveway movement, brick driveway weed control

Audience: Homeowners and property managers in Central Florida frustrated by weeds and unstable paver driveways.

Pain/Benefit: Weeds and shifting pavers ruin curb appeal, create trip hazards, and shorten driveway life. We show proven ways to keep driveways smooth, weed-free, and attractive year-round in Florida’s climate.

Summary: A brick paver driveway should bring charm and function to your home for decades—but weeds and shifting bricks can quickly undermine the look and safety of your investment. We’ll share practical, research-backed steps to prevent these issues, drawing on local experience at GCM Best Services and nationwide university research. With the right foundation, maintenance, and materials, you can keep your driveway beautiful and stable.

Outline:

• How weeds and shifting ruin driveways
• Why weed and movement problems happen in Florida
• The right base, drainage, and edge restraints
• Polymeric sand, jointing compounds, mulch, and barriers
• Routine maintenance and cleaning
• Rejuvenation & repair: when pavers shift or crack
• Quick DIY remedies from university research
• Our process for weeds and stability at GCM Best Services
• Conclusion and getting professional help
• Frequently asked questions

Great driveways stay great—from the ground up.

How weeds and shifting ruin driveways

We’ve seen so many beautiful driveways spoiled by stubborn weeds or wobbling bricks. The problems often show up as:

• Unwanted greenery poking through the joints, giving an unkempt look
• Heaved or sunken pavers creating puddles and trip hazards
• Gaps widening between bricks, letting even more weeds in
• Poor drainage, which speeds up both issues

Weeds don’t just hurt curb appeal—they trap moisture, widen cracks, and force up bricks with their roots. Movement, meanwhile, starts with one loose or uneven brick, but can quickly snowball into a hazardous, unsightly mess across the driveway’s surface.

Prevention is easier than fixing.

Why weed and movement problems happen in Florida

Let’s talk about Central Florida. The soils here—often sandy with underlying clay—shift with moisture. We have a subtropical climate that pushes weed seeds to thrive almost year-round. Afternoon thunderstorms, humidity, and intense sun all play a role. Our crews keep seeing the same patterns:

• Poor compaction of sub-base leads to settling pavers
• Standing water encourages root growth below joints
• Thin or failing joint sand invites windblown weed seeds
• Edges without restraints allow pavers to spread outwards

According to research from Purdue University, compacted soils next to driveways are warm and shallow—the perfect home for crabgrass, spurge, and other persistent weeds. Weeds find even the tiniest sandy gap if conditions are right—so do ants and burrowing insects which can worsen shifting.

Florida’s climate is tough—your paver driveway needs to be tougher.

The right base, drainage, and edge restraints

We start every brick paver driveway at GCM Best Services with a deep look below the surface. Preventing both weeds and shifting is all about:

1. Proper sub-base: For Florida soils, we recommend a 6–8″ compacted base of crushed stone or road base, as described on our driveway and patio paving page.
2. Drainage design: Managing slope and adding French drains or permeable layers keeps water moving away so seeds don’t germinate and roots struggle to grow. You can see our methods further explained in our guide to effective drainage solutions for Florida pavers.
3. Solid edge restraints: Aluminum or concrete restraints prevent the sideways spread of bricks, which is a quick path to shifting surfaces.
4. Compacted bedding sand: A 1″ layer of bedding sand, leveled and compacted, sits under the pavers to allow slight movement without letting the pavers sink or tip.

The right foundation is what keeps pavers tight, level, and resistant to weeds year after year. Without it, even the best joint sand and sealers will fail early.

Start with a strong base. Everything else flows from that.

Polymeric sand, jointing compounds, mulch, and barriers

What keeps weeds out of the joints themselves? This is where jointing compounds like polymeric sand and extra weed barriers come into play. In our experience, and as advised by Cornell University, you get the best weed resistance from:

• Dense joint filler: Polymeric sand hardens with water, locking pavers together and forming a hostile barrier to weeds. Sweep it carefully into clean, dry joints.
• Thorough compaction: Always run a plate compactor across the pavers after filling joints, making sure the sand reaches full depth.
• Sealing the surface and joints: Quality sealer can prevent erosion of sand and keep out airborne seeds.
• Well-placed mulch or landscape fabric: The University of California’s IPM Program recommends a 2–4″ layer of mulch or fabric at driveway edges, where most weeds sneak in.

Don’t forget those small details. It’s much easier to keep weeds out than to remove them later. Polymeric sand is more expensive than plain sand, but resists washing out and forming edible gaps for weeds.

For driveways with curves or special patterns, joint width plays a big role. Narrow, even joints mean less space for roots to settle. On older driveways, refilling joints with polymeric sand works wonders for both weed resistance and preventing movement.

Small spaces matter. Small gaps become big headaches.

Routine maintenance and cleaning

Once your driveway is built well, you still need to keep it that way. Our full weed prevention tips for Orlando paver projects go even further. What does good maintenance look like?

• Regular sweeping and blowing: Remove leaves, soil, and debris from the joints soon after storms or lawncare.
• Keep surrounding soil or mulch below paver height: Higher edges let soil wash onto the bricks, which puts seeds in every nook and cranny.
• Spot treat with safe weed control methods: As pointed out by University of Illinois horticulture studies, you can dig by hand after a rain or use tools like a dandelion fork for deeper roots. Occasional, careful herbicide use is another option—applied precisely, not broadcast over the surface.
• Edge trimming keeps grass and plant roots from encroaching. Cornell’s research further recommends regular cleaning to minimize soil accumulation that encourages new weeds (Cornell University advice).

Sometimes, even with all that, a few weeds sneak through. Pull them promptly and refill sand. If left ignored, small gaps will grow and start the shifting cycle all over again.

Consistency prevents surprise problems.

Rejuvenation & repair: when pavers shift or crack

Life happens—sometimes a section sinks, heaves, or cracks. Quick action restores both form and function. Here’s how we tackle repairs at GCM Best Services:

• Lifting and relaying: Individual bricks or whole sections can be lifted. We correct poor base compaction, reset edges, and replace bedding sand.
• Filling depressions and stabilizing borders: These are the weak spots where weeds often invade next.
• Pressure cleaning and joint replacement: Once level, clean pavers thoroughly, refill joints with new polymeric sand, then compact and seal.

If cracks appear in the underlying concrete or compacted base (sometimes visible at the edge), they must be repaired before relaying pavers. We cover techniques for both new and existing surfaces in our guide to preventing cracks in Florida concrete driveways.

Quick note: Severe root systems from trees or nearby shrubs may require more extensive excavation and root barriers. It’s all part of our full-service approach to paver care.

Good repair saves the whole driveway, not just a single stone.

Quick DIY remedies from university research

Sometimes you just want to grab a tool and solve the problem yourself—especially for smaller infestations of weeds or minor movement. Here’s what university studies suggest:

• Moisten the area before pulling weeds by hand. According to the University of Illinois, wait for rain or use a hose. The weeds pull out more cleanly roots and all.
• Try mechanical weed pullers or an old knife for cracks. Dandelion forks, hoes, or winged weeders work best on larger areas (Illinois horticulture research agrees).
• Spot treat with targeted herbicide if weeds persist. The Purdue University team recommends this for recurring crabgrass and spurge right at edges.
• Seal pavers and keep joints filled as advised by Cornell University. Sweep and refill sand regularly to close off entry points.
• Mulch and landscape fabric for driveway edges, following the recommendations from University of California IPM studies, make the transition smooth and weed-resistant.

One Weed Research study found porous pavers needed the least weed management and that alternating control methods (not just one) is most effective.

Old-fashioned weeding can still work—if you catch problems early.

Our process for weeds and stability at GCM Best Services

We know from experience that most homeowners in Orlando want their driveways to look sharp without ongoing frustration. Our hardscaping process covers each point above. Here’s our step-by-step:

1. On-site evaluation: We look at your soil, drainage, and driveway layout.
2. Free, detailed estimate: Everything spelled out—no surprises.
3. Permits and HOA handled by us: Keeps the project on schedule and code-compliant.
4. Base preparation: We dig deep enough to prevent future sinking or heaving.
5. Edge restraints, bedding, and paver laying: Each step compacted, even, and checked for level and alignment.
6. High-grade polymeric sand: Carefully swept and compacted into every joint.
7. Final compaction: The whole surface is solid and tight.
8. Power wash, seal, and apply finishing touches: Looks sharp and lasts longer.
9. Maintenance guide included: Shows how to remove occasional weeds and when to call us for help.

We back our work with a written warranty, plus before-and-after photos for your records.

Conclusion and getting professional help

Brick paver driveways in Central Florida are exposed to relentless weeds, settling, and shifting, but a careful approach—from foundation to finish—can keep your drive looking strong and sharp for years. It takes the right materials, skilled installation, and steady maintenance.

We’ve seen how attention to detail gets results. We invite you to see the difference for yourself with GCM Best Services. If you want a driveway that stays beautiful, safe, and weed-free, it’s not as complicated as it looks—you just need the right team and the right process.

Thinking about a refresh, a fix, or a brand-new paver drive? Get in touch. See how easy it can be to get curb appeal that lasts.

Ready for a professional quote? 📞 (407) 250-1948 • 24–48h • Orlando, Tampa & area.

Frequently asked questions

How to stop weeds between pavers?

The best way to stop weeds between pavers is to start with a well-compacted base, use polymeric sand in the joints, and keep the joints filled and sealed regularly. Consistently sweep debris away, spot treat with hand removal or targeted herbicide if needed, and edge nearby planting beds. According to Cornell University’s advice, sealing cracks and minimizing soil in joints also helps eliminate weed seeds before they can settle.

What causes brick pavers to shift?

Paver shifting usually happens due to poor base compaction, lack of edge restraints, heavy water runoff, or erosion of the bedding sand. Central Florida’s sandy soil and storms can also move the sub-base. If too much sand washes out between bricks, the pavers can tilt or sink. Consistent traffic, root intrusion, or even nearby ant colonies can start the shifting process.

What is the best joint sand?

Polymeric sand is often the best option for joints between pavers, especially if you’re focused on reducing weeds and shifting. It contains special polymers that harden after watering, locking bricks in place while resisting erosion and weed penetration. Standard masonry sand works well for traditional pavers but requires more frequent refilling.

How often should I reseal pavers?

We recommend resealing pavers every 2 to 3 years in Central Florida’s climate, though driveways with heavy traffic or sun exposure may need it more often. Sealing protects both the stone and the joint sand, preserves color, and helps prevent weed seed germination. Always clean and refill joints before resealing for the best results.

Is polymeric sand worth the cost?

Yes, polymeric sand is usually worth the investment wherever ongoing weed growth, shifting pavers, or joint washout are a problem. It holds up better in Florida rains, offers longer-lasting stability, and cuts down dramatically on weed maintenance. While the upfront cost is higher, it saves on repairs and effort for years to come.