How to Remove Moss from Concrete
Even if you were unaware of its name, the chances are you’ve come across moss plenty of times in your daily life.
Moss is a small, flowerless plant that can grow in a range of outdoor environments, including in gardens and on buildings. Usually, moss grows in dense green clumps that make it extremely recognisable even to those who may not be botanically minded. Moss thrives in wet, damp and shady conditions and you may find it hidden away in crevices at your home’s exterior.
However, while it may look harmless, moss can cause a whole host of problems, especially to roofs and other surfaces.
Concrete is another surface that can be damaged by moss, and in this article, we’ll explain how to remove moss from concrete.
What problems can moss cause concrete?
Moss has been known to ruin roofs, and in much the same way it can also do irreparable damage to concrete and other hard surfaces if the issue is not promptly addressed.
This is because once its growth has been established, moss can hold in moisture. This moisture retention can then cause surfaces beneath it to deteriorate quickly.
Some of the problems moss can cause include:
- Surface damage: The most common issue caused by moss, surface damage occurs when the moisture the moss has retained causes the concrete to weaken, degrade or crack over a period of time.
- Slippery surface: Moss can also create a slick, slippery surface on your concrete which can increase the risk of falls – especially during wet weather.
- Aesthetic damage: The growth of moss can also stain concrete, giving it an unsightly appearance.
- Erosion: Over time, the moisture retained by moss may contribute to the erosion of a concrete surface.
- Structural weakening: In cold climates, moss can cause freeze-thaw cycles which may lead to cracks and spalling in concrete.
With all of this considered, it’s easy to see why it’s so important to remove moss from concrete as soon as you’ve seen that it has grown.
How to remove moss from concrete
There is a wide range of methods you can use to get rid of moss growth on concrete. The best choice will depend on the severity of your moss problem and the materials you have to hand.
Usually, you’re more likely to notice excessive moss growth during the colder, wetter months of the year so be sure to keep your eyes peeled during these times.
Some of the methods you can try include:
Baking soda
You’re likely to have some baking soda to hand in a back cupboard somewhere, and it can also work well as a way to get rid of moss.
Make sure it is a dry day before attempting this method, sprinkling the baking soda over the affected area. Then, wait 24 hours and sweep the area making sure to remove any remnants of the moss that is left behind.
If you need to repeat the process, do so.
Pressure washer
Perhaps the fastest and most powerful way to remove the moss is to use a pressure washer. This will see you blitz the moss with high-pressure water, blasting away the moss.
As well as this, the use of a pressure washer can also help you clean the concrete and give it a fresh new look going into the winter months.
Boiling water
A quick and easy method is to use boiling water. Simply boil a kettle, and pour the water over the moss, taking care to particularly target areas that have seen severe moss growth.
Once you have poured the water on the moss and given the area a chance to cool down, use a stiff brush to scrub the surface and then hose it down to wash away the remaining mossy debris.
When pouring boiling water, always do so with care to avoid dangerous burns.
Vinegar and a water mixture
Stubborn moss marks can be tackled by using a half vinegar and half water mixture. Place the mixture in a spray bottle and spray the affected area. White vinegar is the best choice for this kind of task.
Bleach and water mixture
You can also create a careful mix of one part water and one part bleach. Again, put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray the moss. After waiting a few minutes, brush and hose down the area until all of the moss has been removed.
When handling bleach, you should always wear protective gloves as it can harm your skin and make sure you do not accidentally spray surrounding grass or plants as the bleach can kill them.
Use professional services
If you have a severely bad moss problem, you may not be able to tackle it yourself. There are many professional gardening and landscaping services who will be able to assist.
How to clean moss by hand
You can also remove moss from concrete by hand.
If you want to use this method, there are several easy steps you should follow.
This includes:
Clean the area
Begin by getting rid of as much of the thicker moss as you can. This should be easy and it should seamlessly break away in your hand.
You can also use a shovel to do this, or use a knife to tackle some of the stubborn, thinner bits. If you’re struggling pour some water over the moss as it should loosen it.
Start a deeper clean
Once all of the bigger sections of moss have been removed, use a wire brush to attempt a deeper clean.
This should help you to clear up any remaining bits, especially those stubborn areas that were a bit more difficult to get rid of. Keep brushing until you no longer see any moss.
Finishing up
Finally, you should grab a broom and sweep up the area.
Make sure all of the dirt on the cement has been removed, and if you want it to look particularly nice pour some water on the area to wash away remaining dirt that you were unable to sweep away.
