How to Remove Moss From Pavers

Do you notice fuzzy green plants covering the driveway or a scummy layer of moss across the pool decks? We're giving different methods and tips on how to remove moss from pavers to prevent slippery conditions while ensuring your pavers look as tidy and majestic as ever.

How to Remove Moss From Pavers

To remove moss from pavers, you can apply chemical removers, washing powder, or bleach. You can also soak the pavers using natural solutions such as baking soda, vinegar, soda crystals, boiling water, and pressure washing.

As a member of the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute Certification, Aviara Pavers installers are certified with the most current knowledge on material estimating, soil compaction, paver installation, and job safety.

However, despite superior installation, moss can still grow on shady driveways, humid patios, and damp entryways. Combined with airborne particles, dust, dirt, and sand, it's the ultimate recipe for helping moss thrive. However, with these moss removal methods, you can eliminate unwanted greenery from your pavers.

Apply Commercial Chemical Solutions

Using chemical solutions is among the most effective ways to remove moss from pavers. The great thing about these products is that they generally come with ones appropriate for particular types of surfaces.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to handle the commercial moss remover.
You can find a hidden spot in your pavers to test and ensure the chemical will not stain or damage the stone or brick.
Apply as needed.
Use a pressure washer or hose to sweep off the dead moss.
Rinse the mossy area thoroughly.

However, be cautious about using this because some products contain iron sulfate, which may leave stains on concrete pavers. Additionally, some chemical solutions can be toxic to plants and animals. FYI although Roundup works well for killing weeds, it won’t be able to remove moss in your pavers.

Use Bleach

Bleach is another strong moss remover for pavers. Similar to chemical solutions solely for removing moss, be sure to avoid bleach running off into other areas of your artificial turf.

Combine equal parts of water and bleach in a spray bottle.
Spray the solution to treat the area.
Leave the bleach solution for at least 30 minutes.
Wait until the moss dies and becomes yellow.
Use a stiff broom or deck brush to scrub the mossy patio or driveway.
Wash away the moss with warm water.

Apply Washing Powder

Washing powder can remove moss from pavers the same way it can cut through dirt and grease in your clothes.

Sprinkle the washing powder or laundry detergent all over the mossy entryway or pathway. Be sure not to leave empty spots.
Dampen the area to create a paste-like solution.
Leave the paste for at least 3 hours or wait until you see a brownish layer before scraping off the dead moss.
Wash the section nicely and make sure that it dries well. Otherwise, the moisture and excess dirt may encourage moss to grow back.

Use Soda Crystals

If chemicals or bleach seem too strong for you, you may want an all-natural solution in the form of soda crystals. For this moss removal method, you'll need a bag of soda crystals or washing soda.

You may typically use this non-toxic product to remove stains, yet soda crystals also have the power to eliminate moss, algae, mud, and other kinds of dirt.

Sprinkle the soda crystals across the mossy driveway or patio.
Use water to dampen the area. Be careful not to wash away the crystals.
Leave the paste for 1 to 2 days to allow the crystals to fight the moss.
Use a stiff brush to remove the brown layer.
Wash the area the way you normally clean pavers.

Sprinkle Baking Soda

Moss prefers a mildly acidic environment, which is why moss thrives in soil with a pH of 5 to 6. However, baking soda can decrease the pH level of soil, making it inhabitable for moss.

The great thing about baking soda is that it's a natural way of killing moss from your paver stone walkway or brick patio.

Sprinkle baking soda generously over the moss.
Leave the baking soda overnight.
Use a deck brush or push broom to scrub the moss away.
Baking soda isn't as strong as chemical removers, so you may need to repeat the process until the moss completely disappears.
Clean as per usual.

Spray a Vinegar and Water Mixture

Concentrated vinegar is among the easily accessible products for removing moss from pavers. However, vinegar may not be as strong as a chemical-based product, so it may take you multiple tries before completely cleaning off the moss.

Similar to baking soda, vinegar lowers the soil's pH, making it inhospitable to plants and microorganisms.

Combine equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Spray the mixture all over the mossy pool deck or entryway.
Let the solution rest for at least 2 hours, or until the moss becomes brown and dry.
Use a stiff push broom or deck brush to scrub the mossy section, then hose the area to clean.

Saturate the Pavers With Boiling Water

Much like when removing weeds from pavers, hot water can tame moss. Many plants, even non-flowering plants like moss, can't tolerate the hot temperature.

This is why pouring at least 120-degree Fahrenheit of hot water and submerging the root zone can kill moss. After that, use a stiff brush to scrub the moss away.

However, this method may be a bit time-consuming if you're working on a vast surface since you need a couple of rounds of boiling and pouring. Aside from that, be sure to be extra careful because there's a risk of getting your skin scalded.

Include Pressure Washing in Your Daily Cleaning Routine

Pressure washing is an extremely efficient method of getting rid of moss. However, you would consume lots of water depending on the surface.

Use a low-pressure nozzle, like a 40 to 24-degree nozzle.
Begin with a low angle or 18 inches from the cleaning surface. Avoid aiming the nozzle directly at the mossy outdoor space.
Be careful when spraying around power lines and electrical outlets.
Work your way up in a sweeping motion to fully remove the moss.
Replace joint sand between the stone or brick pavers if they get washed away in the process.

Conclusion

Construction specialists from Aviara Pavers can plan and install pavers. However, should you encounter moss problems in the future, these removal techniques can give your outdoor living space a clean and glorious appearance. It's also vital that you know how to remove weeds and the proper way of cleaning pavers.