Many homeowners choose to use travertine pavers in their outdoor patios, driveways or pool decks because of their beauty, durability and practicality. There's not much that can get in the way of your travertine pavers' attractiveness if you seal them regularly. Except, that is, for weeds. Sometimes, unwanted plants take root in between patio pavers, which not only reduces the appeal of the area, but can compromise the structure of your patio if you allow them to grow out of control. To kill weeds without damaging your pavers, you'll want to avoid using chemical weed killers that might stain the natural stone. Here are a couple of methods to try, as well as some preventative measures to keep in mind for the future.

Pull them up by hand
Large weeds should be easy to remove manually if you're willing to put in a little work. Be sure to grip as close to the bottom of the plant as you can to remove the roots underneath, otherwise it can easily grow back. If you're having trouble, there are special long-handled tools you can use to remove the roots effectively. Or, you could remove the paver to get a better shot at pulling out the roots.

Use boiling water
Boiling water is a cheap, effective way to kill weeds, and this will work wonderfully if your pavers are sealed. Just boil enough water to cover the weeds you want to remove, then pour it on slowly. The plants should die within a couple of days, after which you can easily remove them by hand.

Prevent them from growing back
Prevention is always the best method, and there are several steps that you can take to make sure that weeds don't have the opportunity to settle down in between your pavers. First, always be sure that the joints in between your pavers are completely filled in. Polymeric sand is a good filler, as it hardens when you wet it with water and doesn't allow much space in between for seeds to take root. Fill the joints properly during paver installation, then check regularly to make sure the joints are still properly filled. If you do need to remove a few weeds, be sure to fill in the holes left behind as soon as possible.

Next, make sure you seal your pavers on a consistent basis. This will improve the attractiveness of the stone, prevent staining and deter weeds from growing in the joints. Once every year or two should be enough.

Finally, give your pavers a regular sweeping with a good, sturdy broom. If dirt and debris builds up on your pavers or in the joints, it's a lot easier for plants to take root in it. A clean surface won't give the seeds anything to draw nutrients from. Brushing also helps to disturb any seeds that may have started to take root, clearing them away before they have the chance to grow into full-fledged problems.