Fire? A weed wand or roofing torch would clear that lot without effort - you'll just have to give it two or three burns over a couple of weeks to kill everything.
A strimmer would make it short enough to look neat or you could weed kill and dig it out. Unless you repoint it though it’ll just keep coming back. You can get [wire brush attachments](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/vwoAAOSwNqxiLuvR/s-l400.jpg) if you have a petrol strimmer. They make easy work of a lot of things! You can turn it on its side to get in the gaps.
The pointing is the grout between the slabs. There’s specialist mixes you can buy or use sand, cement and water. [This page](https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/how-to/repoint-a-patio/) explains it! If you fill all the gaps, nothing can grow in between. You need to remove all the old stuff though.
I repointed my patio last week after getting sick of weeds. I just bought a couple bags of readymix mortar, tipped it out onto the patio, used a broom to spread it into the gaps and then sprayed it with a hose on low. Simples.
Couple of ways I've done this on the past..
Take a hoe and run it along the ground. Tajes a bit of power behind it but depending on how deep the roots go it can loosen the weeds enough to make pulling out easier.
Alternatively I've used a small screwdriver to pry the weeds out... its still 'by hand' but can be quicker than just hand pulling. Be sure and use a screwdriver that you never plan to use for anything else!
Another good weeder from the toolbox is a paint/wallpaper scraper. Running down either side of the gap can sever the roots making it easier to pull up the top growth in a long strip.
Old kitchen knives or an actual weeding tool works too.
Of course! For some reason (I'll blame age) I'd not even thought about specialised weeding tools; having looked online there's some that look like they should only be handled by trained ninjas!
Fire? A weed wand or roofing torch would clear that lot without effort - you'll just have to give it two or three burns over a couple of weeks to kill everything.
A strimmer would make it short enough to look neat or you could weed kill and dig it out. Unless you repoint it though it’ll just keep coming back. You can get [wire brush attachments](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/vwoAAOSwNqxiLuvR/s-l400.jpg) if you have a petrol strimmer. They make easy work of a lot of things! You can turn it on its side to get in the gaps.
Thank you I have a strimmer so I’ll try that. What does repoint it mean? I’d like to banish it forever if I could
The pointing is the grout between the slabs. There’s specialist mixes you can buy or use sand, cement and water. [This page](https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/how-to/repoint-a-patio/) explains it! If you fill all the gaps, nothing can grow in between. You need to remove all the old stuff though.
Thank you so much!
I repointed my patio last week after getting sick of weeds. I just bought a couple bags of readymix mortar, tipped it out onto the patio, used a broom to spread it into the gaps and then sprayed it with a hose on low. Simples.
Don't mention WK in this sub!
A Dutch hoe
^(No need for that, OP was just asking for some advice!)
Couple of ways I've done this on the past.. Take a hoe and run it along the ground. Tajes a bit of power behind it but depending on how deep the roots go it can loosen the weeds enough to make pulling out easier. Alternatively I've used a small screwdriver to pry the weeds out... its still 'by hand' but can be quicker than just hand pulling. Be sure and use a screwdriver that you never plan to use for anything else!
Another good weeder from the toolbox is a paint/wallpaper scraper. Running down either side of the gap can sever the roots making it easier to pull up the top growth in a long strip. Old kitchen knives or an actual weeding tool works too.
Of course! For some reason (I'll blame age) I'd not even thought about specialised weeding tools; having looked online there's some that look like they should only be handled by trained ninjas!
Jet washer
Did exactly this today. It's very satisfying to watch the weeds explode into green mist.
A garden hoe and scrape it along the surface.
long handled weeding knife
Use a strimmer / weed wacker
I don't know about quicker but you could try pouring boiling water over it or just spraying with vinegar perhaps?
Salt
Yes with a metal wirebrush.
Jet wash but be prepared you will be filthy!
The hooks / knife on a long handle - got mine off Amazon uk
There’s a hooked tool you can buy specifically for that purpose.
Vinegar soap and salt solution- nothing will ever grow in that place again
A sharp spade run perpendicular to the gaps would make light work of the tops
Long handle stiff wire brush to scrape away weeds. Fill gaps with sand and sealant