Home » How to Remove Grass From Asphalt Driveway? Steps To Be Followed

How to Remove Grass From Asphalt Driveway? Steps To Be Followed

Grass growing on the asphalt driveway is very disgusting and should be removed with immediate effect. As tough as asphalt driveway are, they are not vegetation proof. It is necessary to seal the driveway after removing the grass. If not adequately maintained, weed, grass, moss, lichens, and even algae will start to grow on the driveway.

Grass grows on asphalt mainly because of poor soil preparation before installing the driveway. To avoid such problems from creeping up quickly, you need to properly lay the driveway and use one of the best Asphalt sealers on the market. On top of that, applying an asphalt sealer can help protect your driveway from such issues and help it last longer.  

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What makes grass and other weeds push through asphalt?  

It is rare for grass to grow in the middle of your asphalt driveway unless the driveway wasn’t properly installed. Here are the reasons why grass and weed are growing on your asphalt driveway:

  • Suppose the contractor scrapes the ground before installing the asphalt. This method may remove existing grass and weed, but it does not eradicate grass and weed. So, they can regrow with the right conditions.
  • You didn’t reseal your driveway correctly.
  • Before installing the asphalt, the soil was not treated well with pre-emergent weed killer.
  • Hot asphalt was laid over an insufficient base to warm the soil below, sparking off the growth of dormant seeds.
  • An insufficient base was set up before the asphalt was poured.

These factors cause weeds, grass, and other plants to grow when the conditions are right.

How to remove grass from asphalt driveway

Boiling water

How to remove grass from asphalt driveway

The first method you can use to get rid of grass on your asphalt driveway is using hot water. This is a natural method and easy to apply. Boil water and pour it directly on the grass. This method also works for weeds, moss, algae, and lichens on the asphalt driveway.

Related article: How Much Driveway Sealer Do You Need to Seal Your Driveway?

Nevertheless, it would be best to keep in mind that this method won’t be 100% effective in getting rid of the grass. Since hot water won’t eradicate the grassroots, they can regrow. For effective outcomes, ensure to combine this method with a commercial product like weed killer spray.

Vinegar

How to remove grass from asphalt driveway

Another popular and readily available product that you can use to remove grass from your driveway is vinegar. Like boiling water, vinegar is also a natural method, meaning it may have to be repeated, and it’s not very effective. After you have killed grass blades, use a commercial product to kill the roots so that it doesn’t grow again.

Applying vinegar on the grass is super easy. Spray the vinegar on the grass and allow it to soak for some time. Ensure that the liquid drips from the blades. This substance works slowly as it may take several days to kill the grass. Seal your asphalt driveway frequently to get rid of this problem.

To avoid affecting other plants, spray the vinegar when the temperatures are below 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Working with the correct temperatures helps to prevent the substance from evaporating.

Propane torch

If you want a more effective method, using a propane torch can be ideal for you. This torch is usually utilized to burn grass, weeds, and other plants that grow through the driveway cracks. Since many weeds can only put up with a fair amount of heat, the level of heat produced by the propane torch is too much for them. The torch delivers over 2,000 degrees of heat, which burns the grass and weeds on the driveway.

Weedkiller spray

If you want a more robust method of removing grass from the asphalt driveway, try using a weed killer spray. These are usually made of chemicals and typically contain glyphosate. Even though this method is very effective, you should be careful not to apply it to the nearby plants as it will also destroy them. 

Related article: Follow these easy steps to remove asphalt sealer from concrete

Most weed killer sprays will kill the grass blades, roots, and the entire plant. These chemicals are also ideal for use if you have weeds or moss on the asphalt driveway.

Ensure to put on protective gear when handling weed killer sprays. These chemicals are not only dangerous to plants but also humans as they contain toxic substances.

Fill cracks

How to remove grass from asphalt driveway

One of the main reasons why grass grows on your driveway in the first place is because of cracks. So, if you notice any cracks on the driveway, fill or seal them as quickly as possible. But before you close or fill up the gaps, make sure to vacuum them first.

Spread salt

Salt is another effective way of killing grass on the asphalt driveway. If a handful of weeds on the driveway, apply salt in areas where you want to kill the grass. But if you have large cracks and suspect that grass will sprout in those areas, use salt in the entire gap.

Slat is an effective method because it suffocates the grass and other weeds to death. This is because salt absorbs water and kills the grass gradually.

How to stop grass and other plants from coming through the asphalt driveway?

An asphalt driveway is less durable than a Concrete driveway. So if your asphalt driveway has become prone to growing grass, weeds, and other plants, you need to do something. Here are several ways that you can correct your asphalt driveway and prevent the further growth of grass and weeds. They are as follows:

  • Excavate the soil properly to get rid of present grass and weeds
  • Roll and compact the soil to ensure a uniform surface
  • Apply a strong pre-emergent weed killer
  • Ensure that the gravel is compacted before laying the asphalt
  • If you don’t have a roller to compact the soil, give the gravel at least two weeks to settle down
  • Make sure the gravel base extends beyond the suggested asphalt top by at least 6-inches
  • Lay a 2 to 4-inch asphalt layer over the gravel base
  • Allow the asphalt to cure before driving on the driveway. Give it at least 24 hours.

Final thoughts

If you have grass or moss on your asphalt driveway, removing it isn’t a problem, provided you have the right products. You can use boiling water, vinegar, salt, propane torch, and weed killer spray to kill the grass. However, the best way to prevent grass from ever developing on your asphalt driveway is by sealing it with a quality asphalt sealer. Also, you will have to maintain the driveway so that it can last long.