7 Ways To Permanently Remove Moss From Concrete
How to permanently remove moss from concrete? Moss is a common problem on concrete surfaces, especially in shady or damp areas. While it may look decorative to some, moss can actually damage concrete if left for long periods of time.
But, what’s more frustrating, is that moss tends to grow back even after you’ve spent all that time scrubbing and cleaning the area! This is because many people mistakenly believe that you can just pull out the moss with your hands clean the area and you’re done!
But in reality, it’s not that simple! Moss thrives because it doesn’t need to be planted in the ground, like weeds and other plants. It can spread by releasing spores, that may break off when removed, starting off a whole new colony.
Fortunately, however, there are a few effective ways to remove moss from concrete “permanently” without damaging the surface! So, if you’re tired of fighting a never-ending battle against moss, here are 7 ways to permanently remove moss from your concrete.
7 Ways To Permanently Remove Moss From Concrete
- Moss Killer
- Surface Sanitizer
- Bleach
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Boiling Water
- Pressure Washer
The first step is figuring out what type of moss you have growing on the surface. If it’s a thin layer, for example, then all you need to do is use an acid-based cleaner.
One product we recommend is the “Wet & Forget Moss Mould Lichen & Algae Remover” this is a very powerful mold stain remover and can be found at most online stores.
Thicker types of moss may require other methods to remove it from the concrete! Some moss may be tougher and thicker than others, so it may also require repeat treatments.
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1. Moss Killer
The best way to kill moss on concrete is by using a product that’s designed to kill the moss including the spores so it can’t spread and grow back.
There are a few moss killers on the market, but we recommend using a non-bleach formula like the smart seal moss killer as this won’t stain, nor will it damage the lawn if you’re cleaning a pathway close to your grass!
How To Apply:
The best time for applying moss killer is early spring, however, this product will work no matter what time of year it is! Moss Killer works best when applied before the moss has grown out of control. But, for best results, you should apply it in dry weather.
- Spray the entire area with the moss killer
- Leave for at least two hours to do its work
- Remove the dead moss using a hose or pressure washer
- Seal up any cracks or crevices where moss can hide
- Finally, use a protective sealant to prevent moss from growing back
The best way to apply moss killer is to spray the entire area with this solution and leave for at least two hours, after this time you should start seeing the moss turn yellow.
After a couple of hours, the dead moss can be washed away using a hose or pressure washer. When you’ve finished hosing down the area you should seal up any cracks or crevices where moss can hide.
This will prevent it from growing back. You can do this by using a “protective sealant” that you apply directly to the surface.
Moss killer should remove all the moss! However, it’s recommended that you use a protective sealant afterward. This will prevent the moss from growing back!
2. Surface Sanitizer
Another great way to remove moss permanently is to use a hard surface sanitizer, which can be found at most online stores.
These hard surface sanitizers are also “bleach, chlorine, phosphorous, and ammonia-free” which means your not using any harmful chemicals that could stain or damage the surface.
How To Apply:
When using a surface sanitizer you will want to make sure the surface is cool to the touch and free from dirt, grease, or debris. So make sure you give it a good sweep before you start!
- Apply the sanitizer evenly across the surface
- Leave it for 15 minutes to break down and kill the moss
- Rinse off the area with water! (optional)
- Repeat these steps if necessary!
You can use a brush, roller, or pump sprayer to apply it evenly across the surface and leave it for 15 minutes so that it can start working on breaking down the moss.
Once the moss has turned yellow you can rinse off the area with water! However, depending on the type of surface sanitizer you have, it may not be required. If there is still some moss left behind, repeat these steps until gone!
Although we have provided some directions, when it comes to using hard surface sanitizers, it’s very important that you still read the instructions carefully as these solutions are very powerful!
3. Bleach
Using bleach to remove moss is another good option! However, bleach is a strong chemical that could end up staining the surface of your concrete or kill any surrounding plants or grass. So make sure you apply it with care.
How To Apply:
To avoid damaging the surface you will need to mix the bleach with water! Although this will weaken it, the bleach will still be strong enough to kill the moss.
- Mix around 20 ounces of bleach with 5 gallons of water
- Add the mixture to a garden sprayer and apply it to the surface
- Once covered give the surface a good scrub
- Leave for 15 minutes until the moss has turned yellow
- Rinse off the area with a pressure washer (or garden hose)
Depending on the size of the area, you should mix around 20 ounces of bleach with 5 gallons of water. Then add the mixture to a garden sprayer and apply it to the surface of the concrete.
Once you’ve completely covered the area give the surface a good scrub and leave it for 15 minutes before until the moss has turned yellow.
After 15 minutes, rinse off the area with a pressure washer (or garden hose) until all evidence of bleach and moss has been removed.
You can also use this method to clean driveways, sidewalks, or any other concrete surface! Just remember like all chemicals make sure you always read the instructions first and take the necessary precautions.
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4. Concentrated Vinegar
So why would anyone think that vinegar could kill moss? Well, vinegar contains acetic acid which is an effective way to kill moss. In fact, vinegar works very similar to most commercial moss killers and will kill it within a matter of hours.
How To Apply:
For the best results, we recommend you use Calyptus 45% Pure Super Concentrated Vinegar which is a highly concentrated and very powerful type of vinegar, perfect for killing moss.
- Mix 80 percent vinegar with 20 percent water
- Apply the mixture to the mossy areas
- Give the surface a scrub if needed!
- Leave for 20 minutes or just until the moss is yellow
- Wash down the area using warm water
Like bleach to avoid damage to the surface, it’s best to dilute the vinegar first! Start with a ratio of 80 vinegar and 20 water. However, for light moss growth, we recommend a dilution of 50:50 vinegar with water.
Apply the mixture onto the mossy areas and leave it to do its work for at least 20 minutes or until the moss has turned yellow. If the moss is slightly thick give the surface a scrub if needed!
Once all the moss is removed, rinse off with warm water until all the vinegar and moss is gone.
Important: If you have pets that go outside make sure they don’t have access to the area until the vinegar has been rinsed off completely as it can be harmful if ingested!
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5. Baking Soda
Surprisingly baking soda is a great natural way to kill moss! and what.s best about this is it won’t cost you an arm or a leg and you can find it at most supermarkets.
How To Apply:
When using baking soda on concrete it’s a good idea to apply it on a hot day when the conditions are dry and not when it’s raining.
- Mix 10 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 quart of water
- Add the mixture to a spray bottle and give it a good shake
- Apply it directly to the mossy areas
- Leave it for 15 minutes to do its work
- Wash the area using a pressure washer or hose.
A good mixture would consist of about 10 tablespoons of baking powder and a quart of water. Make sure you give it a good mix before applying it to the surface.
When it’s mixed apply it directly on top of the moss and surrounding areas! and then leave for 15 minutes. If needed give the area a scrub!
Once the moss is dead and yellow remove it and then give the surface a wash using a pressure washer or hose until the surface is clean and all the moss is removed.
6. Boiling Water
Using boiling water is another way that can remove moss from concrete. This method is more gentle than the others and has no chemicals involved, so it’s a good option if you have plants close to where the moss is.
How To Apply:
Be sure that all areas are free from any other obstructions before beginning this process – such things will only make removing moss growths much harder.
- Pour boiling water directly on the moss
- Wait until the moss has died and turned yellow
- Remove the dead pieces of moss
- Wash the area with soupy water
- Finish using a pressure washer
Take boiled water using a kettle or saucepan with about one-gallon capacity be careful not to spill onto your hand when pouring.
Pour over the moss until wetted completely through then wait until the moss is yellow. Once the moss is dead remove it using your hands.
Once all the moss is removed wash down the area using soapy water and then finish using a pressure washer
Take Note: Boiling water is a simple and effective way to kill moss without using any harmful chemicals! However, this method may need repeated attempts as some moss is tougher than others.
7. Pressure Washer
A pressure washer is a powerful tool that is used to remove the toughest stains! However, it’s also very popular for removing things like grit, mold, and even moss. However, the problem with this method is there the risk of spreading spores.
This is why we recommended that you clean the area first before using a pressure washer. But for those who are unable to use the methods mentioned above we have laid out some steps so you can do this safely without spreading spores.
How To Apply:
- Remove all the large prices of moss using your hands
- Use a metal brush and scrub the area with soupy water
- Then use the pressure washer until all the moss is gone
To start make sure you remove any moss that you can grab with your hands! This is to avoid any spores from spreading. Once all the loose price splash some soupy water on the surface and use a metal brush and give it a good scrub.
Once all the mossy areas have been dealt with you can then use the pressure washer! Pressure washers should be used only as a last resort or as a finishing touch because they require much more caution while using than any previous method mentioned.
Important: When removing the moss with a pressure washer watch out for those spores, they can easily snap away from the main plant and spread to other areas.
Conclusion
So we hope these 7 tips have been helpful for getting rid of moss on your concrete surfaces! Just remember that some methods may need repeated attempts. If you’ve enjoyed this article, please don’t forget to share it.
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