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- Moss is everywhere, and it has great adaptive capabilities. Yet, we’re rarely satisfied with its appearance on our pavers and private area in general. We’re looking for tips and comments to get free of moss by washing it first, searching for ways to kill growth, and then often by the way of contact with specialized services.
- Bleach solution, vinegar, scrub brush, or pressure washer? Or should we reach out to chemicals? Or maybe we should count on the sunlight to do the job for us. There are several ways to kill moss, some of which are disarmingly natural and pleasurable to perform. Follow our tips or call for professional service for related help.
- In this article, we’re tackling some powerful ways of removing moss from pavers on a walkway, driveway, and other surfaces in your property.
Meeting moss for the first time
Let’s imagine one morning when sipping a Sunday sunrise coffee, walking barefoot through your patio; you’ve noticed a newborn surface of moss.
Not a lot, just a new tint. An inspiring color novelty, spring pastel green on your pavers.
Maybe you even thought that you like this new shade more than the original concrete color (so dull).
And here we are, days later. The once-exciting patio landscape isn’t new and fancy anymore. It starts to be overwhelmingly visually unappealing instead.
You’re growing fearful of your kids slipping on pavers and breaking their skulls while playing in the garden. So you start considering moss on the patio as nothing but danger: a slipping and tripping hazard.
Let us say that our research shows that the latter is the more accurate description.
Moss can grow on almost any surface if conditions give it a free way to develop. But, unfortunately, moss is also quite resistant to our efforts to remove it.
Tip: Don’t get rid of moss if you like the idea of the style it gives to the garden. If you like the feel of a rustic, old-world look, consider using it instead of removing it completely.
Where do we find moss most often?
Have you found it somewhere around your property?
There is a key for places that moss likes to settle in. So let’s take a look to be prepared for its further invasion.
Which places and conditions accelerate the growth of moss?
The most moss-prone areas are:
- near the coast,
- shady spots under trees,
- where there’s excessive moisture from a leak or overwatering,
- other places with humid conditions, damp areas, and periods of prolonged wet weather;
Moss can grow on a paving stone patio, driveway, or walkway. They can sit on rocks, concrete, and bricks. It’s fair to say that they are not picky.
How to remove moss from pavers?
Let’s check a few moss removal tips to keep your paving stones looking beautiful.
How does it all start?
You’ve got new pavers on the patio. There are no signs of moss at first. The patio is shiny; its color is intense.
With time, airborne particles such as dust and dirt will combine with the sand in the joints to create a perfect place for moss to thrive.
That’s not to say that it’s your fault. Yet, one thing that you could have done better comes to mind instantly.
Be proactive and remove moss early
We’ve said it. The best way to get rid of moss is to notice it as soon as it appears. Also, cleaning the pavers regularly won’t harm (but don’t let it stay humid afterward).
We mean cleaning away the dust and joint sand.
Keeping your patio fresh at all times will prevent the surface from having this homey appearance from the moss’ point of view.
Let the sunshine in
Sunlight is great because it’s affordable for everyone (who knows for how long still) and easy to use for moss removal.
Moss doesn’t grow in sun-soaked, dry areas. It’s just the opposite of what it likes.
Try to expose the moss on pavers to the direct influence of the sun. You’ll see that it will leave day by day naturally.
Seems impossible to do?
- leave your car in a slightly different place,
- take away the garden furniture,
- prune some shrubs and branches,
- and let the sunshine in!
What are other ways to reclaim a bit of light and life for pavers?
1. Cut off branches selective on plants next to or overhanging the pavers.
2. Remove or thin out weeds and other vegetation near the walkway.
Pressure wash the area
If you’re dealing with a large area covered with moss, the best way is to do it with a pressure washer.
A pressure washer is affordable, so you can buy one if you don’t have it yet. It serves many house activities. You would be surprised by how many.
Otherwise, go for outsourcing pressure washing services.
Important: If you’re pressure washing your paving stones, you’ll likely have to replace your joint sand between your pavers afterward.
Vinegar
This guy steps in often. Vinegar is probably the most popular natural detergent known to humans.
Try it out before moving to commercial chemical solutions.
Tip: Be careful not to get the vinegar on the plants’ leaves near the treatment area.
To treat your moss with vinegar:
1. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
2. Saturate the area
3. Allow the mixture to work into the paving stones and joints for at least 15 minutes.
4. Use a deck brush or stiff push broom to scrub the area.
5. Hose the area down with water and dry the surface out (optional).
Important: When killing moss with the vinegar option, you may find that you need to treat the area multiple times. Another possibility is that it’s not strong enough to fix your moss issue. It’s a natural substance, so don’t expect wonders, but it’s worth trying.
Bleach and water
Having a bottle of bleach is helpful in a household.
Household bleach, chlorine, or sodium hypochlorite is another helpful option to get free from moss.
How to use bleach to get rid of moss?
1. Mix a 10-15% solution of bleach and water in a bucket.
2. Pour the solution over the affected areas.
3. Agitate it with a stiff broom.
4. Use a hard bristle brush in the joints if you feel that it’s necessary (watch out not to disturb the joint sand).
5. Rinse the area with fresh water and let it dry.
Tip: Treat your paving regularly with a 10-15% bleach solution as a preventative measure.
Baking soda
It’s not the most effective solution. But, we mention it because it’s overwhelmingly easy to use, and it can help.
It’s good to try many options before moving to commercial chemical means.
If the moss growing on your property didn’t take its journey to the next level of colonization yet, then baking soda might be the solution for you.
To use baking soda to remove the moss from your paving stone:
1. Spray it generously over the moss.
2. Leave it overnight.
3. Use a push broom or deck brush to remove the baking soda.
4. Use the same tools to scrub the area to remove the moss.
Seal pavers
Some people wonder if sealing your pavers will prevent moss from showing up.
It can limit the amount of moisture in the pavers and joints. This, in turn, will slow the growth of moss and make it much easier to keep clean from sand in the paver.
Get a habit of using a stiff broom to sweep the moss off the joints and pavers regularly. Get a smaller scrub brush in tight corners or smaller areas.
Sweep or blow all the debris from the surface each time you notice it.
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