When you have paving stones, one of the things that can be a problem is having algae and moss growing on them. The good news is there are things that you can do to remove algae and moss from your paving stones. Below are things that you can do to help remove the algae and moss from your paving stones.
Dry the Area Out
Removing the algae or moss is going to be safer and easier when the stones are dry. When moss is in an area that’s damp with a lot of moisture, it’s easier for it to send the spores out into air when you’re removing it. Since you don’t want the moss to move, you want to expose it to a lot of sunlight so that the surface and moss are dried out. If it’s cloudy, you can use an outdoor heater or fan.
Sweep the Pavers
After your area is dry, you may be able to remove a lot of the algae or moss using a deck brush or a push broom with stiff bristles. It is also possible that you’ll have to use a scraper for addressing the really stubborn areas.
Pressure Wash the Area
If the area of algae or moss is small, the two tips above may help the problems. If you have a larger area, a good way to remove the algae and moss is through pressure washing.
If you don’t have your own pressure washer, it’s possible to buy one for cheap. You’ll find that it’s a worthwhile investment because there are a lot of things that you can do with it. It’s also possible to rent your pressure washer or find someone who can power wash the area for you. If you’re pressure washing your paving stones, chances are that you’ll have to replace your joint sand that’s between your pavers once you’re done cleaning them.
A lot of times, pressure washing is all that you’ll have to do to remove the algae or moss. However, if this isn’t working, there are some more options.
Use Bleach or Vinegar
When you start seeing mildew and moss on the liner of your shower curtain, you’ll toss it into the washing machine with some vinegar or bleach. You can do the same thing with paving stones. You shouldn’t use bleach right away if you have grass or plants close to your paving stones with moss on them. However, if you’ve tried pressure washing and it doesn’t work, this is another option.
If this is something you’re going to try for removing algae or moss, try mixing water and white vinegar. Put it into a spray bottle and spray down your paving stones for killing the algae and moss. Vinegar also helps get rid of weeds, so don’t worry about spraying it on some weeds. Make sure that you’re not spraying it on the plants that you want, the flowerbed, or grass. Once you’ve sprayed the solution on the spots and left it for several minutes, address any stubborn areas with a scrub or deck brush. Then, rinse it with water.
If vinegar doesn’t make a difference, mix one cup bleach with a gallon of water and use this for killing the algae and moss. Bleach might impact the environment greatly and can even change color sometimes on pavers and bricks. Therefore, it’s a good idea to test it on an area that you can’t see before you spray a big space. You will need to give nearby grass and plants some protection and be sure there isn’t any runoff that’s going into your storm drain.
If you use bleach, you’ll need to rinse your area well after you do it. If your hardscape’s been stained with algae or moss, it’s possible that you’re going to have to do it several times before the stain is removed.
Use Commercial Products
Have you tried bleach and vinegar and found that they don’t work? Would you rather try something you can buy? There are a lot of effective products at home improvement or local garden stores.
You can choose a general cleaning product that’s for washing your patio or deck if you don’t have severe algae or moss. If you have stains on your hardscape from algae or moss, it’s possible you’ll have to choose a stain remover specifically for moss. For instance, if you just bought a house where algae or moss has flourished for years on the paving stones, it’s possible there are stains that can only be removed using stain removal for algae and moss.
When you use most types of products, you’re going to spray down the area, let it sit for several minutes, use a push broom or deck brush to scrub it, and then use water to rinse the area.
Prevent Algae and Moss Problems in the Future
To prevent future issues with algae or moss, make sure the area is able to regularly dry out and there’s proper ventilation there. This could mean that you have to prune overhanging shrubs or trees, move your patio furniture or create drainage pathways so you avoid the problem of pooling water.
Use these tips above to help you with removing the algae and moss from your paving stones. Doing this will help your paving stones look better and make them safer to walk on.
