If you live in a rainy or humid climate, then you may be constantly battling the growth of moss, mold, and algae on your sidewalks and patios. This unsightly growth doesn't usually damage the paving, but it does impact the curb appeal of your home. It can also be a danger since wet surfaces covered in these growths tend to be slick and pose a slipping hazard. Fortunately, there are ways to combat this issue, as the following guide will show.
Avoid debris buildup
Trapped moisture is the root cause of moss and algae growth. If the moisture is trapped by organic matter, then the problem can be worse since the organic material provides nutrients to the moss or algae. Piles of leaves, dirt, or twigs are the usual culprits. Make sure to sweep patios and sidewalks often, so organic matter doesn't have a chance to build up.
Trimming and thinning overhead branches can also help. Not only will this lessen leaf drop, but it will also allow more sunlight and air circulation in. This, in turn, will decrease the amount of held moisture and make the area less prone to moss growth.
Invest in pressure washing
Scrubbing is a time-consuming and an often-ineffective way to remove moss and algae buildup. A better option is to invest in pressure washing services. Although it is possible to rent a pressure washer and do it yourself, this can be challenging. It can be difficult to wash a narrow strip of sidewalk without damaging nearby turf and landscaping.
High pressure is needed to get the moss and algae stains out of the porous concrete, which increases the chances of causing damage. Investing in a professional service gives you the peace of mind of knowing it's done right and that your landscape will be fine, and the concrete won't be damaged.
Use a growth retardant
Finally, you want to make sure the moss, algae, and mold doesn't come back. Depending on your climate, you will have varying degrees of success. If the issue is primarily seasonal, then scrubbing the area with a diluted bleach solution and a deck brush once a year may be sufficient to remove the moss spores and prevent growth for the year.
After initial removal with a pressure washer, this annual bleaching may be all that's necessary. In wet, temperate climates, moss is going to be an ongoing issue. You can maintain with the bleach scrub every few months and schedule an annual pressure washing to remove deeper set stains.
Contact a pressure washing service like Foxland Cleaning for more advice.