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The most reliable approach is usually mechanical: wet the joints, pull or scrape out the entire plant, brush away debris, and refill emptied joints. Boiling water, flame, pressure washing, herbicide, or temporary smothering can help in the right situation, while polymeric sand reduces the chance of new seedlings taking hold.
Choose the method that fits your patio
Consider four things before you start: how many weeds are present, whether roots run deep, how close desirable plants are, and whether the joints contain sand you need to preserve. The table provides a quick comparison.
| Method | Best suited to | Main drawbacks | Prevention included? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-pulling after wetting | A few weeds and shallow roots | Labor increases with dense growth; roots can break | No |
| Crack weeder or joint scraper | Roots in narrow, hard joints | Can disturb joint material; repetitive work | No |
| Stiff-brushing | Seedlings, moss, and loose organic matter | May not remove established roots | Partly, by removing seed-holding debris |
| Boiling water | Small isolated weeds on heat-tolerant hardscape | Contact-only effect; grasses may regrow | No |
| Flame weeding | Isolated weeds on pavement, brick, cement, or pavers | Fire and heat hazards; repeat treatment may be needed | No |
| Pressure washing | Heavily infested patios and widespread debris | Can remove joint sand and splash soil | No |
| Labeled spot herbicide | Persistent weeds where nonchemical methods are impractical | Chemical exposure and possible root survival | No |
| Black-plastic smothering | An isolated area that can remain unused | Takes weeks and is awkward on walkways | Temporary |
| Polymeric sand | Cleaned joints needing longer-term stabilization | Requires correct installation and water activation | Yes |
1. Hand-pull weeds after wetting the joints
For a small number of weeds, hand-pulling is the least invasive starting point. Water the joints thoroughly and wait until the soil softens. Grip the plant low on the stem and pull slowly and steadily so more of the root comes out. A dry joint encourages stems to snap, leaving roots behind.
- Work when the joint material is damp but not muddy.
- Use gloves, especially around thorny or irritating plants.
- Bag plants that have mature seed heads rather than leaving them on the patio.
- Check the joint again after several days for regrowth from missed roots.
2. Use a crack weeder or joint scraper
A narrow crack-weeding blade, pointed tool, or joint scraper reaches below the surface where fingers cannot. Cornell lists block-paving brushes and similar tools for removing growth from crevices. Draw the blade along both sides of the joint, loosen the root crown, and lift the debris out instead of simply cutting the foliage level with the pavers.
#1 Best Overall
- 3‑in‑1 Weeding Tool: Give your outdoor space a fresh look with our 3‑in‑1 manual crevice weeding tool. The curved scraper works well for cleaning narrow crevices. The triangular scraper works for wider crevices. The metal wire weed brush removes moss, lichen, and surface dirt. The curved scraper is suitable for standard gaps, with a minimum width of 0.08" and a maximum depth of 1.5"
- Sturdy and Durable: The cleaning blade is made of 0.08" thick stainless steel, which is sharp and rust-resistant, suitable for cleaning the fine and wide gaps between paving stones, bricks or tiles. Whether you are cleaning the yard in spring or tidying the driveway in autumn, this crack weeder tool can provide you with reliable support
- Adjustable Handle: 3 in 1 Weed crack remover tool features a stainless steel handle that adjusts to three lengths: 30.7 inches, 44.5 inches, and 58.6 inches. Standing up is comfortable for back pain, while shortening provides greater flexibility. The ergonomic handle design provides a comfortable grip, reducing hand and wrist fatigue during extended use
- Widely Applicable: Whether it's driveways, patios, sidewalks, garden paths, or corners and narrow spaces, our crack weeder crevice weeding tool can easily reach them. Flexible and practical, it is the perfect supplementary tool for home and gardening enthusiasts. Make weeding more efficient and your yard tidier
- Easy Installation: Designed for ultimate convenience, this garden cleaning tool features a four-section handle with a secure threaded connection. It installs with a simple, tool-free twist and just as easily disassembles for compact storage in a closet, garage, or garden tool rack.
Scraping can remove some joint sand. Sweep the loosened material away and plan to refill gaps once the area is clean.
3. Stiff-brush the joints
Use a stiff, narrow brush to dislodge young seedlings, moss, algae, and the organic matter that collects between pavers. Brush along the length of each joint, then make a second pass across it. Sweep up the material promptly; leaving it on the patio allows loose seed and soil to settle back into the cracks.
Brushing is most effective early, before weeds establish deep roots. For mature plants, combine it with hand-pulling or scraping.
Rank #2
- L-shaped, double-sided blade – scrapes and cuts weeds with effortless back-and-forth motion, making quick work of stubborn growth in tight spaces like patio stones, driveway cracks, and sidewalk gaps.
- Razor-sharp, hardened stainless steel blade – precision-ground for aggressive penetration, yet thin enough to slip between tightly spaced pavers without damaging surrounding surfaces; GREBSTK blade is rust-resistant and built to last.
- Lightweight yet powerful design – 12-inch overall length, just 0.44 lb, reduces hand fatigue while providing ample leverage for efficient weeding; compact enough to carry in a tool belt or garden apron.
- Ergonomic anti-slip handle – fits your hand naturally to reduce fatigue, evenly distribute pressure, and allow smooth force transmission; convenient hanging hole for easy storage. Built for hand protection and durability – ideal for prolonged handheld tasks where safety and comfort matter.
- Versatile weeding tool – ideal for removing grass, moss, and weeds from between pavers, patio stones, and driveway cracks; also perfect for edging along walkways for a crisp, manicured border; GREBSTK is trusted by homeowners and professional landscapers alike.
4. Pour boiling water on small weeds
Boiling water kills the plant tissue it contacts by rupturing plant cells. Pour it carefully into the joint, directing the stream at the foliage and crown rather than across nearby beds. Broadleaf seedlings generally respond better than grasses and other plants that can regrow from underground stems, so repeat applications may be necessary.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- Keep children and pets away while carrying and pouring the water.
- Protect skin from splashes and use a stable kettle or heat-safe container.
- Avoid pouring near desirable plants whose roots extend under the pavers.
- Expect the top growth to brown before you know whether the root has died.
5. Flame-weed isolated hardscape
A flame weeder can treat weeds on pavement, cement, brick, and pavers without applying a chemical product. The goal is usually to heat the plant until the foliage wilts, not to burn the entire joint. Established perennials may require repeat passes.
Use this method only where the flame and radiant heat cannot reach dry vegetation, fences, buildings, stored combustibles, vehicles, or other vulnerable materials. Follow the torch label, check local fire restrictions, keep water or an extinguisher immediately available, and never use the torch in windy conditions. Do not flame weeds near combustible joint fillers or where heat could damage sealers.
Rank #3
- Efficient Weeding: Say goodbye to the tedious weeding process. This sidewalk crack weeder can accurately enter the narrowest areas and effectively remove those difficult to deal with small taproot weeds. It is ideal for removing stubborn weeds and moss in the gaps between paving stones, suitable for novice and experienced gardeners.
- Sharp L-shaped Blades: This driveway crack weeder tool adopts a unique L-shaped design with multiple sharp blades, suitable for pushing, pulling, and digging actions, which can effectively remove various types of weeds and easily cope with different gardening tasks. The sharp L-shaped blade can penetrate deep into the soil and tear up the hard soil.
- Durable High Carbon Steel with Anti-rust Coating: Manual crevice weeding tool is crafted from high carbon steel with an anti-rust coating, It is highly wear-resistant, not easy to deform or break.The sleek coated blade wipes clean effortlessly, while the rust barrier ensures long-lasting performance, even with frequent exposure to moisture and soil. Its precision L-shaped design pulls out weeds from multiple angles, tackling tight crevices with ease.
- Ergonomic Handle: 55" long stainless steel handle is ergonomic and easy to hold, which can reduce hand fatigue during long-term use and enhance control of delicate weeding tasks. The special blade shape can not only penetrate deep into the ground, but also tear up hard soil. It can be used in various outdoor environments
- Widely Applicable: This long handle weed removal tool is suitable for various narrow spaces, especially driveways, sidewalks, paving stone gaps, courtyards and other places, easily removing weeds, moss and plant residues. Note: This crack weeder works best on cracks 0.1 inch (2.5mm) or wider and less than 2 inches (5cm) deep. For extremely narrow or deep cracks, consider using specialized tools for optimal results.
6. Pressure-wash a heavily infested patio
Pressure washing is efficient when weeds, soil, moss, and debris cover a large patio. Work systematically so the spray carries loosened material away from cleaned joints. A patio surface-cleaner attachment can make coverage more even than a concentrated nozzle.
The same force that removes weeds can blast out joint sand, erode soft materials, or drive debris into adjacent beds. Use the lowest pressure that achieves the result, keep the nozzle moving, and avoid directing a sharp stream straight down into fragile joints. Once the patio dries, inspect every gap: pressure washing is only half the job if joint material has been removed.
7. Apply a labeled spot herbicide only where appropriate
Use a herbicide only when the product label permits the intended site and weed, and treat only the plants you mean to kill. Shield nearby ornamentals, keep spray off lawns and garden soil, and follow all directions for mixing, application, re-entry, storage, and disposal. Local rules may add restrictions.
Rank #4
- L-shaped, double-sided blade – scrapes and cuts weeds with effortless back-and-forth motion, making quick work of stubborn growth in tight spaces like patio stones, driveway cracks, and sidewalk gaps.
- Razor-sharp, hardened stainless steel blade – precision-ground for aggressive penetration, yet thin enough to slip between tightly spaced pavers without damaging surrounding surfaces; GREBSTK blade is rust-resistant and built to last.
- Lightweight yet powerful design – 13-inch overall length, just 0.44 lb, reduces hand fatigue while providing ample leverage for efficient weeding; compact enough to carry in a tool belt or garden apron.
- Solid beech wood handle – strong, lightweight, and naturally comfortable; features a built-in hanging hole for convenient storage; offers a non-slip grip even in wet or sweaty conditions.
- Versatile weeding tool – ideal for removing grass, moss, and weeds from between pavers, patio stones, and driveway cracks; also perfect for edging along walkways for a crisp, manicured border; GREBSTK is trusted by homeowners and professional landscapers alike.
Contact products can kill foliage without eliminating established roots, so physical removal may still be needed. Avoid treating before rain or in conditions that could carry spray onto desirable plants. Household vinegar is not a dependable root-killing herbicide; stronger horticultural vinegar is caustic and requires the protective equipment and label compliance specified for that product.
8. Smother an isolated area with black plastic
Covering a weedy section with opaque black plastic blocks light and can exhaust the plants over time. Anchor the edges tightly so light and wind cannot lift the cover. This approach takes weeks and works only where the surface can remain covered and unused, making it impractical for an active path or frequently used seating area.
After removing the cover, clear the dead material and inspect the joints. Smothering does not repair missing sand or prevent new seed from arriving.
Recommended Free Tools
9. Restore cleaned joints with polymeric sand
Polymeric sand is a joint-stabilizing finish, not a weed killer. First remove living plants, roots, loose sand, and organic debris. Follow the product directions to sweep the sand into completely dry joints, remove residue from the paver faces, and activate it with the specified amount of water. The polymer additive hardens the sand in a mortar-like way while still allowing some water infiltration, as described by UC IPM.
Do not skip surface preparation: burying roots or leaving soil in the joint gives weeds a starting point beneath the new material. Keep the installation protected from traffic and weather for the period stated on the product label.
Quick Recap
A practical sequence for most patios
- Remove the plants. Wet the joints, then hand-pull or scrape out roots and crowns.
- Clear residue. Stiff-brush the joints and sweep away soil, moss, and broken plant material.
- Escalate selectively. Use boiling water for small isolated weeds, a labeled flame weeder where fire safety permits, or pressure washing for a widespread infestation.
- Inspect the joints. Look for empty, loose, or low sections after the surface dries.
- Refill and stabilize. Install polymeric sand according to its label when the joints are clean and dry.
- Monitor. Remove new seedlings while they are small, before roots become established.
What to avoid
- Do not assume household vinegar will kill roots reliably; stronger formulations can burn skin and eyes.
- Do not pressure-wash aggressively and leave emptied joints untreated.
- Do not flame-weed beside dry mulch, siding, timber edging, vehicles, or stored fuel.
- Do not spray herbicide onto windblown foliage or desirable plants.
- Do not seal or refill over living roots and accumulated soil.
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