How to Remove Weeds Between Pavers
Pull weeds and roots from the joints, then remove loose soil and failed joint fill. Before refilling, check whether the pavers sit on a flexible aggregate base or a rigid slab, and fix any movement or drainage problem. Use joint material made for that system, follow its label, and keep the surface clear while it cures.
Weeds can make a path look neglected, but the bigger concern is often the joint beneath them. Loose or missing fill lets soil and seeds collect, while moving pavers can create uneven footing. Clearing the growth and restoring sound joints helps keep the surface easier to walk on and maintain.
I start by looking for the cause, not just the visible weed. If a joint keeps opening or stays wet, pulling plants and adding more sand may only provide a short-lived fix. The steps below help you choose a safe removal method, refill the joints correctly, and spot problems that need repair.
Inspect pavers, joints, drainage, and bedding
First identify how the pavers are installed and what condition the joints are in. Flexible systems usually have pavers on a compacted aggregate base; rigid systems are set on a slab. This distinction matters because joint materials are not interchangeable, and movement or standing water may point to a repair beyond weed removal.
Identify the paver system
A flexible installation allows small movement in the paving and relies on a compacted base and joint fill. A rigid installation is set on a concrete slab or another rigid base. If you do not know which type you have, check project records or ask the installer before choosing replacement joint material.
Look for clues, but do not rely on appearance alone. A visible concrete edge or slab may suggest a rigid system, while a granular base at an exposed edge may suggest a flexible one. If the edge is hidden, avoid digging deeply to investigate; you could disturb the bedding.
Check whether pavers rock when you step on them, sit lower than nearby pavers, or have wide gaps. Note where water collects after rain and whether it drains toward a building. A common target for paved surfaces is a fall of about 1–2%, or roughly 1/8–1/4 inch per foot. Site design and accessibility needs can affect the right slope.
Diagnose the joint before choosing a repair
Joint fill is the material between pavers. It may be ordinary sand, polymeric sand, or a product intended for a rigid assembly. Look for the product name on receipts or packaging if available. If you cannot identify it, use a replacement product approved for your paver system rather than guessing.
| What you see | Possible cause | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| A few small seedlings, joints mostly full | Seeds and debris in the joint | Remove growth and debris; monitor |
| Many empty or shallow joints | Joint fill washed or worn away | Identify the system, then refill |
| Rocking or sunken pavers | Bedding or base may have failed | Repair the affected area first |
| Joints stay wet or water pools | Drainage or grading may be poor | Find and correct the water issue |
| Weeds return in one spot | Repeated seed buildup or a system issue | Check debris, joint depth, and stability |
Do not treat settlement as a weed problem alone. A loose paver can move again, reopen its joints, and become a trip hazard. Fix unstable or sunken areas before refilling them.
Remove weeds and refill joints precisely
Remove the plant and as much root material as you can without levering against the paver edges. Then clear loose soil and failed joint fill. Refill only after the joint is clean and dry enough for the chosen product, and follow its specified depth, width, and installation steps.
Pull, scrape, and clear the joints
For small weeds, grip the plant low and pull slowly. A narrow hand weeder or joint scraper can help loosen roots in tight gaps. Work along the joint rather than prying against a paver edge, which can chip the paver or disturb its bedding.
Remove leaves, soil, and loose fill with a stiff brush or a suitable vacuum. Avoid high-pressure washing close to joints or paver edges. It can wash out joint material or bedding and may destabilize the surface. If roots break off, remove what you can and check the area again as new growth appears.
Select compatible joint material
Polymeric sand is sand blended with binders that harden when activated with water. It is generally intended for compatible flexible-paver installations, but products differ. Check the label for the approved paver system, joint width range, minimum joint depth, and watering instructions. Many products call for at least 1 inch (25 mm) of clean joint depth, but the label and paver manufacturer’s guidance take priority.
Rigid slab-set systems need a joint product specified for that assembly. Do not substitute mortar, sealant, or polymeric sand without confirming compatibility. A product that is too rigid, too soft, or unsuitable for the joint width may not perform as intended.
| Joint and base condition | Material choice | Important check |
|---|---|---|
| Flexible base, product-approved joint width | Compatible polymeric sand may fit | Confirm depth and activation instructions |
| Flexible base, wider or unusual joints | Product designed for that width | Do not assume all polymeric sands fit |
| Pavers set on a slab | Product specified for the rigid assembly | Confirm with product and paver instructions |
| Unknown base or joint material | Pause and identify the assembly | Ask the installer or manufacturer |
Refill and activate the joint
For polymeric sand, begin with dry pavers and dry joints unless the product label says otherwise. Sweep sand across the surface until the joints are filled to the specified depth. Use a brush to clear all residue from paver faces before adding water; leftover binder can create a haze.
Activate the sand with controlled water exactly as directed on the bag. Too much or poorly directed water can wash material out of the joints. Keep people and pets off the area for the cure time stated by the manufacturer, and protect it from rain if the label requires that. Other joint products have different methods, so follow their instructions rather than copying this process.
Protect edges, nearby plants, and walking safety
Choose removal methods that limit damage to pavers, nearby plants, and the joint itself. Hand removal is usually the most controlled option for a small area. If you use an herbicide, the product label sets the rules for application, weather, re-entry, and use near desirable plants, drains, or water.
Use heat and chemicals with care
Do not use an open-flame weed torch near dry vegetation, buildings, mulch, or other combustible materials. Fire can spread quickly, and heat may damage pavers or nearby sealers. A torch also does not correct missing joint fill or unstable pavers.
Herbicide may kill visible growth, but it cannot stop seeds from landing and sprouting in debris. If you choose one, read and follow the label, including its rate, weather limits, re-entry time, and restrictions near plants and waterways. Avoid applying it where runoff could reach a drain or water source.
Keep the route safe while you work. Set aside tools and loose sand so they do not create a new trip hazard. If a paver is loose, mark or block the area until you can repair it.
Common repair scenarios
These examples are diagnostic scenarios, not reports of specific customer installations. They show why the same weed problem can call for different fixes. A small patch with intact joints is not the same repair as a sunken area that stays wet after rain.
- Seedlings in otherwise full joints: Pull the plants, remove surface debris, and check the joints again after a few weeks. If fill remains intact and the pavers are stable, a full joint replacement may not be needed.
- Weeds around a low, rocking paver: Do not simply add sand over the gap. The paver may need to be lifted and its bedding or base corrected before the joint is restored.
- Repeated growth where water pools: Clear the growth, but also investigate drainage. Refill alone may fail if water keeps washing material out or the area stays damp.
The next step is to match the repair to the cause: remove seedlings, restore failed joints, or correct movement and drainage.
Maintain joints and prevent recurrence
Maintenance works best when it is small and regular. Remove young weeds before roots establish, and sweep away soil, leaves, and other debris that can hold seeds in the joints. Check for missing fill, movement, and pooling after heavy rain rather than waiting for a large patch to appear.
Check the repair after curing
Once the product’s stated cure period has passed, inspect the joints and walk the area carefully. Look for low spots, loose pavers, gaps, or material that washed out. Confirm that water can drain away from buildings and that the repair has not blocked a drainage path.
If a joint has failed again, identify why before topping it up. Repeated washout, standing water, or paver movement may require a bedding or drainage repair. A fresh layer of joint material cannot stabilize a failed base.
Keep a simple maintenance routine
- Sweep leaves and soil from the joints when they build up.
- Pull small seedlings before they develop larger roots.
- Check joints and pavers after heavy rain or freeze-thaw periods.
- Replace missing joint fill with a product suited to the paving system.
- Watch for changes in slope, pooling, and loose or sunken pavers.
Small, early repairs are easier to assess than a large area of lost joint fill. Keep the product label or installation details for future maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
These short answers cover common choices, including removal tools, joint material, and when weeds signal a larger repair. The right method depends on the paver system and the condition of its joints, so check product instructions before refilling or applying treatments.
What is the easiest way to remove weeds between pavers?
For a few weeds, pull them slowly from the base or loosen them with a narrow hand weeder. Then clear soil and loose joint fill. Avoid levering against paver edges, which can chip them or disturb the bedding.
Will polymeric sand stop weeds from growing?
Polymeric sand can help keep joints filled when it suits the paver system and is installed as directed. It cannot prevent every seed from landing and germinating in debris, so regular sweeping and early weed removal still matter.
Can I use polymeric sand on pavers set on concrete?
Not unless the product is specified for that rigid assembly. Polymeric sand is generally used with compatible flexible-paver systems. Check the paver and joint-product instructions, or ask the installer before choosing a material.
How deep should joint sand be?
Use the depth stated by the joint-product manufacturer and paver maker. Many polymeric sands specify at least 1 inch (25 mm) of clean joint depth, but requirements vary. Do not fill over debris or failed bedding.
Should I use a pressure washer to clear weeds?
Avoid high-pressure washing close to paver joints and edges. It can remove joint fill or bedding and loosen the surface. Use hand tools and a stiff brush for more controlled cleaning.
Is herbicide safe to use near pavers?
Safety depends on the product and where it is applied. Follow its label for rate, weather, re-entry, and restrictions near plants, drains, and water. Herbicide will not prevent seeds from sprouting in debris-filled joints.
Why do weeds keep returning in the same joints?
Seeds can keep collecting where soil, leaves, or moisture build up. Repeated return may also point to washed-out joints, poor drainage, or paver movement. Clear debris and inspect the joint and surrounding surface before refilling.
When should I repair the paver base instead of adding sand?
Repair the base when pavers rock, sink, or keep shifting, or when joints repeatedly open. Adding sand does not stabilize a failed base. Correct the movement and any drainage issue before restoring the joints.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, David S. Kensington. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
