killing moss on hard surfaces

forest flame · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:33 pm Post subject: killing moss on hard surfaces

hi all
does anyone have a non chemical solution for getting rid of moss from driveways tarmac and concrete. thanks. i read the vinegar solution for weeds very interesting

medieval knievel · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:21 am Post subject:

hot water too.

medieval knievel · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:21 am Post subject:

mind you, the only 'non-chemical' solution would be elbow grease.

James Kilkelly · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:22 am Post subject:

One of the best non-chemical solutions to battle moss is to trim back any surrounding planting.
Allow as much light as possible to enter, creating a bright situation, which the moss despises.
Damp shade is a big factor with mosses as they seek to coat our driveways and quite dangerously our garden steps with their slippery greenness.
Reducing shade and dampness by increasing the areas access to sunlight will greatly cut down on algae/moss growth.

But this is all prevention rather than removal, so the only thing for it now is as medieval knievel says is "elbow grease" and a stiff yard brush.
If there is a heavy coating of moss to begin with you can carefully scrape it off with a flat spade.
Be careful of marking the surfaces though.

A powerwasher could be used as well, but like the flat spade you have to be very careful not to damage the surfaces.

If you wish to use a chemical moss killer on this one occasion you should be able to source some here....... Moss and algae remover

richard · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 7

Foxylock · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:59 pm Post subject:

It's hard to see the beauty of moss on a driveway when it causes someone to fall and crack their two elbows Evil or Very Mad

out with the power hose I say Laughing

kindredspirit · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:57 pm Post subject:

I heard someone talking about this today and he says his neighbour buys a big bag of salt, spreads it on his drive and problem solved!

I would have thought that the salt would turn the driveway white, no?

Foxylock · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 10:14 pm Post subject:

I used milling salt during the cold spell to keep some of the concrete driveway ice free, it works a treat and does appear to have killed any bit of moss that was present BUT it has a tendency to damage the surface so if you're particular about the driveway try an inconspicuous test area first. My father used to spray diluted chloras on the drive, very environmentally unfriendly but extremely effective. Until one day he got some in his eye , two weeks with an eye patch listening to pirate jokes was enough to persuade him to revert back to the pressure washer and become more eco-friendly Laughing

davidk · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 2:42 pm Post subject:

I use salt all the time and it works well.

Greengage · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 4:54 pm Post subject:

Jayes fluid tell yourself its a disinfectint and not a chemical an all will be well with the world. Laughing