Block paving - in between the gaps

Block paving works with friction and you're not supposed to use cement. I've heard some say to use a very light cement mix to sprinkle over the top to help seal the sand in but I don't go near the stuff.

For patio slabs you should use a sand and cement mix. If you're using it dry then first drench the joints with water then make good as it sets as you would brick pointing.

Thanks for the advise.

Re the block paving, apart from flooding it with weedkiller, and putting new sand down, any suggestions to keep the weeds at bay?

This might help, look here

Don't use cement on the block paving as you will stain it. It is special kiln dried sand that goes between the joint. See these web sites:

Seeds will get into any small crack full of wet sand and germinate.

Flood it with a sodium chlorate weed killer - lasts up to 6 months.

Dave

Kiln dried sand will cost a bomb. It might be useful for using as a filler with the sort of resin used with fibre-glass.

All you need to do once you have put weed killer down (as you don't own a British made diesel) is brick-sand, a warm, sunny day and a soft broom.

Kiln dried sand is available in Wickes at about £2:50 a bag - it's cheap as chips. Dave

Where do you shop for your kiln dried sand? Its under £5 a bag and 1 bag does me for a 3 car drive.

Steven.

... and 'up to' are the operative words, in our paved areas it keeps the weeds at bay for six weeks if we're lucky.

At that price it's quite a lot cheaper than chips - chips from the chippie are £1 a poke round here.

Owain

Use kiln dried sand and brush it in with a broom

Someone on a diy group (this one?) asked a chap spraying weeds using a backpack sprayer, on a pavement area, what brand of weed killer he was using. He replied 'salt and wate"r. Chap who asked the question tried this at home and said it worked. I'll be trying this soon but it may be worth a go.