To remove weeds from concrete, pull or cut roots, flush debris, then block light and soil with sand, sealant, or a targeted spot spray.
Concrete cracks and joints act like tiny planters. Dust and grit collect. Seeds blow in. A little moisture arrives, and sprouts appear. This guide shows clear steps to stop that cycle fast, keep the surface tidy, and cut your upkeep over time.
How to Remove Weeds from Concrete: Step-By-Step
This is the core playbook. You’ll clear what’s there, treat what tries to come back, and close the gap that fed it in the first place.
1) Loosen, Cut, And Lift
Start with a crack weeder, oscillating hoe, or a thin putty knife. Slice the crown at the crack, pry up what you can, and tease out runners and taproots. Keep the blade flat so you don’t chip the concrete edge.
2) Flush The Crack Clean
Use a stiff brush to sweep out fines. Then blast the joint with water from a spray nozzle. If the crack holds moss or packed silt, a careful pass with a pressure washer lifts the mat fast. Work at a shallow angle and test a small spot first.
3) Dry, Then Fill The Gap
Let the crack dry. Pack kiln-dried sand or polymeric joint sand into joints on pavers and segmental edges. On poured slabs, use a crack filler or joint sealant that stays flexible. This blocks light and seed-to-soil contact, which slows regrowth.
4) Spot-Treat Stubborn Regrowth
Annual sprouts often die with one more scrape. Deep perennials can need a targeted spot spray or repeated cuts at the crown. Keep sprays tight to the crack and skip windy days. Label directions always set the rules for where and how to spray.
5) Set A Simple Upkeep Loop
Sweep grit after storms. Top up sand where it sinks. Rinse spills and leaf mush before they turn into soil. Small habits block the next wave.
Common Weeds In Cracks And What Works
Different weeds need slightly different tactics. Use this table to match your approach to the plant in the joint.
| Weed Type | Root System | Best Removal Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Dandelion | Deep taproot | Slice crown, lever out core with a narrow fork; repeat cuts on any regrowth; seal joint after removal. |
| Plantain | Short taproot with fibrous collar | Undercut flat, pop the rosette; brush and flush fines; fill and seal to block seed set. |
| Oxalis/Wood Sorrel | Shallow fibrous; explosive seed | Weed before seed pods ripen; scrape close; pack sand; watch weekly for seedlings. |
| Spurge | Shallow mat, seeds all season | Quick scrape on young plants; repeat after 7–10 days; seal joint to starve seedlings of light. |
| Grassy Sprouts (Foxtail, Crabgrass) | Fibrous | Hand pull while small; brush out loose soil; sand or seal; pre-emergent for edges if needed. |
| Moss | Rhizoids on damp film | Pressure-wash at low fan angle; dry surface; improve drainage; sand joints; add sun/airflow. |
| Field Bindweed | Extensive rhizomes | Repeat cuts at crown; starve with shading where possible; targeted spot spray may be needed. |
| Plantlets From Nearby Turf | Stolons/seed spill | Edge turf cleanly; sweep after mowing; fill joints so stolons can’t root. |
Removing Weeds From Concrete Cracks — Rules And Options
There isn’t one single tool that wins every time. Here’s how the main options stack up, with plain talk on trade-offs and use.
Manual Removal
Fast on small patches. Low cost. No drift risk. You’ll still need to close the joint so seeds can’t land and sprout. Crack weeders and thin hoes slide in cleanly and give good leverage for taproots. UC IPM lists manual scraping as a first line answer in hardscape joints.
Hot Water And Steam
Boiling water wilts young annuals. Steam units sold for paving maintenance do similar work. These methods avoid residues, but they don’t reach deep crowns. Use them as a knockdown, then fill and seal.
Vinegar (Acetic Acid) Products
Household vinegar burns leaves on small seedlings; the 20% horticultural grade hits harder. These products are non-selective and can injure eyes and skin, so gear up and keep spray low and tight. The NPIC acetic acid facts explain why high-strength products carry a DANGER signal word and why coverage and repeat passes matter for tough weeds.
Salt, Bleach, Or Random Home Mixes
Skip them. They stain, pit surfaces, or damage nearby soil and plantings. They also create runoff headaches. If you want a spray tool, pick a product with a real label and follow it line by line.
Herbicides With Systemic Action
Spot-applied systemic products move from leaves into roots, so perennials like bindweed are easier to shut down. Keep spray inside the crack, use a shield, and never treat near drains before rain. The UC IPM weed management page outlines how chemical control fits into a wider plan with hand work and prevention.
Prevention: Lock Out Light, Soil, And Seeds
Weed seeds need a foothold. Remove that foothold, and you remove most of the work.
Fill Joints The Right Way
On pavers and segmental borders, use dry sand swept into joints after the surface is cleaned. Where movement and washing are common, polymeric joint sand that hardens after wetting can resist washout and seed lodging. On poured slabs, a flexible crack filler keeps gaps tight.
Fix Drainage And Shade Wet Spots
Pooled water feeds moss and mats of annuals. Regrade low edges if needed, keep downspouts off the slab, and trim hedges that keep joints damp all day.
Edge Turf Cleanly
A crisp edge cuts off stolons and seed spill. After mowing, blow clippings away from seams so the line stays clean and dry.
Tool-By-Task: What To Use And When
Use the matrix below to match the method to the mess in front of you.
| Situation | Best Tool/Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shallow seedlings in hairline joints | Crack weeder + brush | Quick pass now, repeat next week, then fill the joint. |
| Deep taproot in a tight crack | Thin fork or weeding knife | Work the core loose; if it snaps, repeat cuts at new growth. |
| Moss on a damp drive | Pressure washer | Low, wide fan; stop once aggregate shows; fix drainage. |
| Bindweed survivor | Repeat crown cuts or spot systemic | Shield spray; no rain in forecast; seal after dieback. |
| Paver patio with sinking sand | Clean, dry, and re-sand | Use kiln-dried sand or polymeric sand; mist to set. |
| High-traffic walkway | Flexible crack filler | Backer rod for deep gaps; smooth bead; cure per label. |
| Edges next to weedy beds | Mulch band + hand weeding | Two inches of mulch in beds; sweep seeds off slabs often. |
Safety, Runoff, And Neighboring Plants
Anything that burns leaves can scorch shrubs and turf. Any spray can move with wind or bounce off a hard surface. Keep tips low, use shields, and skip gusty afternoons. Avoid spraying before rain, and never send chemicals toward drains or bare soil that slopes to a waterway.
Clothes And Gear
Closed shoes, long sleeves, and eye protection make crack work safer. With strong acetic acid products, add waterproof gloves and face protection, and rinse gear after use.
Label Rules
Labels are the law. They tell you where the product can be used, what it can touch, and how to clean up. Keep the booklet, mix only what you’ll use, and store the jug out of sun and heat.
Seasonal Plan For A Weed-Free Surface
Quick touch-ups beat big cleanups. Here’s a simple rhythm that keeps concrete clear through the year.
Spring
- Pressure-wash moss and packed fines.
- Dry and re-sand or seal joints.
- Hand-pull early sprouts before they seed.
Summer
- Sweep grit after storms.
- Spot-treat tough perennials on calm, dry days.
- Edge turf so stolons don’t creep into seams.
Fall
- Blow leaves off slabs before they mat and rot.
- Top up sand where joints settled.
- Seal any new cracks on poured slabs.
Winter
- Keep de-icer use modest near plant beds.
- Watch damp, shady joints for moss and scrape early.
Real-World Fixes For Common Setups
Driveways
Focus on drainage. Clean the lower third where silt settles. Add a slight edge pitch with a broom finish if you ever resurface. Seal expansion joints so grit can’t pack in.
Sidewalks And Entry Walks
Keep it neat with fast hand work. A five-minute scrape loop twice a month can replace a big annual cleanup. A narrow nozzle on a hose blasts seeds out of hairline seams.
Paver Patios
These look best with firm joints. After a wash, let the patio dry, then sweep sand until joints are brim-full. Mist polymeric sand per bag directions so it sets up without crusting on the face of the paver.
Troubleshooting: Why Weeds Keep Returning
The Crack Still Holds Soil
Brush and rinse until fines stop flowing, then fill the joint to the top and compact lightly with a narrow block of wood.
Seeds Keep Landing From Beds
Add a mulch band in the bed right beside the slab. Pull seed-heavy plants before heads dry. Sweep the slab after windy days.
Perennials Pop Back After Two Weeks
They likely regrew from crown buds below the cut. Cut again, closer to the base, or use a tight, shielded spot spray when leaves are fresh and actively growing.
Polymeric Sand Washed Out
The base may be moving or water is funneled through one joint. Repack after a dry stretch and look for low points that shed water into the seam. A small edge drain can help on long runs.
Cost-Savvy Starter Kit
You don’t need a bucket of gadgets. These few items handle most jobs:
- Crack weeder or oscillating hoe
- Stiff deck brush
- Narrow hand fork or putty knife
- Shop broom and dustpan
- Hose with jet nozzle (pressure washer if moss is heavy)
- Kiln-dried sand or polymeric sand
- Crack filler or flexible joint sealant
- Gloves and eye protection
When A Pro Makes Sense
Large areas with shifting slabs, deep root invasion from bindweed, or joints that crumble after every freeze-thaw cycle point to base issues. A local contractor can reset pavers, grind a proud lip, or re-seal long expansion joints in one go.
Bring It All Together
Weeds show up when light, moisture, and a pinch of soil meet inside a crack. Clear the growth, flush the seam, and close the gap. Add a quick sweep habit, and the slab stays clean with minutes a month. If a tough perennial slips through, a careful spot treatment or one more tight cut finishes the job. If you arrived searching “how to remove weeds from concrete,” that’s the full plan you can run today.
Keep Using The Same Playbook
Concrete, pavers, stone steps—this method works across them all. Cut growth, clean the joint, fill the gap, and protect from seeds and silt. If you saved this page to learn how to remove weeds from concrete, you now have a repeatable routine you can use every season.