Removing Moss from Brick Patio
Hi! We have a brick patio in the backyard that has a layer of moss growing over the bricks. The bricks were put in with only sand and not with mortar to keep them in place(go figure). How can we remove the moss ourselves? take a strong brush, rent a powerwasher, throw a bucket of…
Hi!
We have a brick patio in the backyard that has a layer of moss growing over the bricks. The bricks were put in with only sand and not with mortar to keep them in place(go figure).
How can we remove the moss ourselves? take a strong brush, rent a powerwasher, throw a bucket of vinegar water solution down?
Any tips?
Someone told me to mix the slurry w/ yogurt to help it grow.
Gemini: Arkady and Tinarina are right. Bleach is effective, too, and would be my next step after boiling water and baking soda. You just have to remember that ALL of these (even the more benign, baking soda and bleach included) will run off into the surrounding beds or groundwater, and have some effect on soil ph and existing plantings. BTW, if your garden is generally damp and you like the mossy look, you can scrape some moss off before eradication treatment, create a slurry by mashing with water, and paint the slurry onto a terracotta pot. With the right conditions (enough shade, moisture, etc.), you will have created a living moss “patina.”
Gemini–I’ve also had luck with a very weak bleach solution–like 1/4 cup in a gallon of water.
Vinca -thank you so much! We have a typical shady garden with spotty sunlight
great ideas all – thanks again
will try the least chemical approach and try some boiling water and elbow grease
Start by soaking the moss with boiling water, followed by vigorous scrubbing and sweeping all remnants. If boiling water doesn’t work, you can also try heavily dusting the moss with baking soda. There are escalating forms of treatment, most of which involve purchase of potent chemicals at large garden centers. These chemicals will affect the rest of your plantlife too. Your garden and TSP are not compatible. Ultimately, your issue is not the sand, but the apparent lack of light and constant moisture in the area where your moss is growing. As noted above, it’s usual to “lock” bricks and pavers in place, and preserve drainage, by sweeping sand between them. You might need to enhance drainage by pulling the bricks up and laying a deeper bed of gravel underneath.
TSP (or similar cleaner) + bleach is the standard for cleaning exterior surfaces. If you want something stronger you can try muriatic acid (watered down hydrochloric acid). This can actually damage the brick. And if you go the acid route always add acid to water never the other way around or it can explode.
Power-washers can also damage brick if you are not careful. I would try the TSP +bleach and a stiff hand brush first. If it is too tough look into getting a power washer.
A strong solution of bleach should do it. Just be sure to hose down any nearby plants, lawn, etc. before you start slopping it around.
Thanks i disagree
I was totally stumped by the use of sand and annoyed by the plant growth – but that makes sense now
i don’t know how you’d remove the moss. but placing bricks in sand is actually the approach recommended by most landscapers i’ve talked to. it allows the bricks some flexibility, so they don’t heave and break when it gets really cold out, and it allows for superior drainage. i guess the downside is the plant growth.