How To Remove Moss From Brick

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Moss is a plant or fungi that grow on anything. The lack of sunlight, rain, and moisture encourages their growth. There are relatively harmless unless they grow on pathways, then they become an accident potential. We've researched everything you need to know about removing moss.

There are several ways you can get rid of moss, one of which is by scraping off the moss in the brick manually. Another method you can use is by using chemicals such as bleach; others use vinegar for a more natural way of removing moss. You could also use a pressure washer if you wish to save time.

Removing moss from bricks can be a hell of a time if not done properly. There are various methods for prevention, cleaning, and stopping moss from growing in your area. Luckily, we are here to help you!

Getting Rid of Moss on Bricks and Patio

As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to take good care of your patio pavers and hardscaping. It is pretty annoying that moss can creep out from anywhere, and it is a strenuous job to keep moss from growing out in your area.

Having moss lurking around your patio is quite dangerous because it can be slippery when you step on it. It is not only aesthetically displeasing, but it also holds a grave risk for you.

What can you do to alleviate this problem? Here are some solutions!

The Natural Way

If you have plenty of time in your hands, and if you are the kind who gets relaxed by cleaning, this is the best option for you.

The first idea that comes to mind when removing moss is probably to use hardcore herbicide or vinegar. Well, the good news is you do not have to immediately go all berserk.

You can start by removing the moss manually with your hands, or you can hose off the entire area with plain water then gently brush the brick pavers with a soft-bristle scrub.

Regular Cleaning and Prevention

Certain factors contribute to the existence of moss, such as a leaky faucet, reduced sunlight exposure of the area, and many other reasons. Regular cleaning is the best idea to prevent moss from growing in your lawn. There are several ways you can do this.

Fix Water Leaks

Moss will thrive anywhere - patios, pavers, roofs, chimneys, walls, etc. - where there is enough water.

A leaky faucet or even a broken sprinkler wouldn't come to mind as the reason for moss growing in your hardscapes. A little amount of water accumulates over time, making it possible for moss to flourish.

The best thing to do here is to repair any water leaks so that the moss will eventually dry up and stop forming.

One way to check where water leaks are is to spot a mossy area. You can do this by examining your sprinklers and checking the moisture in your faucet. Taking care of water leaks can reduce and even kill moss.

Exposing Moss to Sunlight

Another reason moss keeps growing in your walls or patio is because of less sunlight exposure. Shady environments cause moss to flourish.

Sunlight is the most natural way to prevent moss from growing in your lawn. Always check if your patio gets enough sunshine because it will truly keep moss away from your pavers.

One way to do this is by cleaning the brick surface of leaves and other debris. If you remove the weeds and other undergrowths on your lawn, the moss from beneath would have to deal with enough sunlight.

Other Ways to Remove Moss

On Bricks and Walls

Moss on concrete walls and pavers looks untidy, not to mention, moss on walkways is quite dangerous. Here is some maintenance advice on dealing with moss on your walls and flooring.

1. Use Vinegar

Using vinegar is the most cost-effective way to get rid of moss. You need to mix the same amount of vinegar and water into a spray bottle, and voila! You don't have to buy any herbicides.

White vinegar is the best one to use when it comes to this matter. Spray it gently on the affected area and let the vinegar sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

Afterward, scrape off the moss. You can use a putty knife if the surface allows it. Once you've scraped the moss, you should clean the surface by rinsing off the vinegar.

When vinegar is poured into the area, it lowers the pH to a level that is inhabitable to plants, weeds, and microorganisms, making it an effective way to kill moss.

2. Baking Soda

Another method to remove moss is by using baking soda. There are two ways to do this, either the spray or the dry method. Whichever you prefer works well.

Spray Method

Like vinegar, all you have to do is add 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda to 1 quart of warm water. Mix these substances in a spray bottle.

You must wait for a warm, dry day before you can apply baking soda to the affected area. Avoid spraying nearby plants and grasses because baking soda can also kill them. Doing it regularly can help keep the moss away from your walls and pavers.

Dry Method

Sprinkle dry baking soda on areas where moss is present. You can brush the baking soda gently with a broom to evenly distribute it.

Let the baking soda sit for at least three days before you can start to scrape off the dead moss. Lastly, rinse the area once you are done removing the moss.

3. Boiling Water

The fastest way to remove moss from your walls and patio is by pouring boiling water into the area. It will only take hours to kill the moss. And the best thing about this is it won't harm any nearby plants.

Another thing, you could also add some liquid dish soap into the mix to create a cost-effective herbicide.

4. Bleach

Another technique to get rid of moss is by using bleach. The application is just the same as using vinegar and baking soda. However, if you want to use this method, it could damage your walls or brick pavers. It can even cause discoloration.

Mix a small amount of bleach with water. You might want to use gloves because even a small drop from bleach can cause skin irritation.

Be careful when spraying the affected part because bleach can damage the surrounding. Let the bleach sit for about 10 to 15 minutes; then, rinse the area with water. Lastly, scrape off the dead moss with a broom or brush.

On Chimneys

It may not seem significant, but removing moss and lichens off your chimney is an important task to do. These plants and fungi produce certain compounds that can damage and discolor your chimney.

Clearing moss off chimneys can be an arduous job. Luckily, some companies could do that service for you.

1. Bleach

Bleach can also get rid of moss on your chimney, but using this substance has repercussions.

What you have to do is to mix bleach with water. Once it's done, dip the brush into this mixture and start rubbing the surface from top to bottom. This may take some time, but it works.

2. Use Pressure Washer

If you wish to use a pressure washer, you must first check the chimney for any damage. Once you have done that, use a pressure washer to clean the outside of your chimney.

After you clean the outside, you must repair any cracks or leaks to avoid moss from growing back again. Finally, coat the entire area with a water sealant to prevent future moisture build-up.

If you want to save time, you can call a company to do the cleaning job for you. Certain companies remove moss and lichens on your chimney.

In Closing

Using vinegar and baking soda is one of the most affordable and natural ways to get rid of moss. Although doing this will alleviate the problem, it is better to prevent moss from growing on your patio, walls, and chimneys.

We hope this article has been helpful. If you are interested in knowing if you can mow over stepping stones, check this article out.

Check out this article to learn more about cleaning your pavers: "Can You Clean Pavers with Bleach?"