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What is the best method of removing weeds from between the bricks of a patio? We have a dog and don't want to use toxic chemicals if possible. The bricks are closely spaced, probably only about 1/10 inch between them.

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Your best bet would be a propane fueled flame weeder — something like this. Since the surrounding material (brick) is non-flammable, you can easily direct the flame in the cracks/gaps and burn the weeds out. This is a very effective method of getting rid of weeds from landscaping stones. See also this answer on using the flame weeder.

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  • though non flammable won't you risk scorching or discolouring the brick?
    – Tea Drinker
    May 28, 2012 at 21:28
  • @TeaDrinker No, it shouldn't. The flame is very directed and pointed, like a blowtorch. Unless you aim wildly and burn the same area for prolonged periods, it should be fine.
    – Lorem Ipsum
    May 28, 2012 at 22:39
  • Bricks will "pop" and can shatter if they are heated too much. It is just clay afterall. Unless they are specific fire bricks. Concrete paver bricks will pop faster than traditional red bricks... I'd be careful on the use of this.
    – Phlume
    Jan 16, 2014 at 5:46
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Kill the weeds:

  • White Vinegar--full strength. Saturate the area.

or ...

  • Salt and water mixture. Saturate the area.

Once they are dead, consider pouring some salt between the bricks, at least in those areas where you are having the most problems.

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  • Common, supermarket-bought table salt? Pool salt? Or something else?
    – Coomie
    Sep 17, 2012 at 2:57
  • Coomie, table salt will work. Rock salt is less expensive and works better, but only if the spacing allows it to fit between the bricks/spaces. Although I've never used pool salt, suspect it would be the best choice of all for this purpose!--GeneJ
    – GeneJ
    Sep 17, 2012 at 10:12
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I spent 6 years as a stone worker installing and repairing numerous types of stone patios. The best solution I have used on numerous client's stone installations to inhibit weed growth is to MANUALLY scrape them and the topmost layer of soil/dirt that has collected within the cracks. Removing all of the jointing sand from between them down about 1/4 - 1/2 inch. This is a time consuming task, but one that prepares for the best "next step"

Polymeric sand.

Polymeric sand is a polymer-based jointing agent that replaces the typical sand/stone dust finish coat. Though stonedust and sand work as a great binding agent for the stone/brick, it also is easy for roots of weeds to work into.

Polymeric sand is swept into the cracks of the patio area as a finish coat, and then a GENTLE LIGHT SPRINKLE of water is applied to it to "bond" the fine particles together into a spongey, rubber like jointing material. It sheds water beautifully after is sets up, and inhibits weed growth for nearly two seasons.

A reapply is needed, but at a 1/3 of the rate of sand/stonedust solutions. And best of all... it is not a chemical.

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I use a weed-whacker. If you have moss or similar that you'd like to keep, this allows you to kill the tall stuff without killing the moss. In our climate, at least, once a weed between bricks has been whacked down once or twice, it doesn't come back.

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Back when I lived in the city, my neighbour used boiling water for this. It looks rather odd to be outside with a kettle, but she swore by it. You want to be careful not to spill or splash on your legs or feet, but it's probably safer than the flamethrower and you don't need to buy or rent anything. I suspect it's easier on the concrete and bricks than salt or vinegar, also.

On our rural property we have basically set it up so this isn't a problem, but we do have a patio with "tiles" 16" on a side. If anything grows between them we just pull it up by hand.

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I have found that weed killer works just fine. I used Spectracide Weed and Grass Killer on my brick patio and was able to pull up the dead weeds from their roots just a few days later. Follow directions that come with the product and you should have no more weed problems.

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  • "We ... don't want to use toxic chemicals if possible"
    – Coomie
    Sep 17, 2012 at 4:57
  • If I want an area dead, say one that's sprouting Trumpet vine suckers, I'll dig it up and put about a cup of Borax in there. It's effective longer than salt.
    – Wayfaring Stranger
    Jan 30, 2019 at 18:51

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