Moss on tarmac

Greengage · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 8:50 am Post subject: Moss on tarmac

I need to kill moss on tarmac, any ideas to permanent solution.
Mossgo useless.

Blowin · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 10:52 am Post subject:

(From snowy West Cork) I suppose you could try a power washer but, for lawn use, I was recommended to Sulphate of Iron and it quickly turned all our moss black. Why not give it a try? It's not expensive as I recall.

tagwex · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 10:56 am Post subject:

Depends on the area involved as the cost obviously increases.
Sweep vigorously first with a stiff wire brush.
Highly powered jetwasher. (careful if it is only a thin crust as it may lift)
Then one of the following...... Jeyes fluid/bleach.
Go see your local dairy farmer and use the chlorine crystals that they use to clean the equipment.
Buy a cheap washing powder and scatter it like snow.
Boiling water.
Combination of the above.

James Kilkelly · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 2:11 pm Post subject:

Good advice from both Blowin and tagwex, Greengage.
I will also add that damp shade is also a big factor in moss growth.
Reducing shade will cut down on the amount of moss forming; by increasing the access of sunlight, you will also reduce dampness.
Anything you can do to help this?

kindredspirit · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 2:24 pm Post subject:

I use Daz. Turns the moss orange! The tarmac stays clear then for a good while.

TMAK · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 1:33 pm Post subject:

Dont use sulphate of Iron on a hard surface it will leave a rust coloured stain that is nearly impossible to remove

Qzy · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:46 pm Post subject:

A cheap bag of Washing soda from a 1e shop works a treat

Greengage · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 5:36 pm Post subject:

Tks for replies,
Jeyes fluid, It does not say on the pack this is what it is used for but it works disadvantage is it has strong smell.

Mossgo (No Good)

Chlorine Crystals as used by farmers for cleaning milking equipment, do not use without trialling it on small section first. ( Have never used this)

Cheap washing powder Daz sprinkle like snow leave for 1/2 hour then wash off with stiff brush.
Bacticlean from http://mosskillers.co.uk/

Bleach and water 1 part bleach to 2 parts water trial on small section first.

Armillitox http://www.armillatox.co.uk/default.htm.

Algae - rem http://www.stonewarestudios.com/PDF/Stone+brick%20Cleaning/Algae%20Rem%20Biocidal%20wash.p ( Im using this this year got from builders doing restoration work they say it is brilliant stuff but cannot be obtained from hardware I will check where to buy if interested very expensive)

Good guy · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 11:04 pm Post subject:

I treated thick moss on a Tarmac path with neat vinegar (€4.25 per 5lt at cash and carry) about four weeks ago. The moss was brown the next day and several days later, when I had time, I brushed/ scraped it off without very much damage to the Tarmac. It is now looking great but I know it won't be permanent - the path is shaded by a hedge and gets dripped on, fallen leaf debris etc. which only encourages the damn stuff. But I don't mind, once a year, putting down a few euros worth of stuff I might use on my chips!

Blowin · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2015 4:33 am Post subject:

Large bags of salt from the local farmers' co-op (actually food grade but less than €10 per bag) sprinkled on the moss will also help but, as someone else has said, if the environment is right for moss, it'll be back sooner or later.

Good guy · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2015 8:19 am Post subject:

That sounds like a good idea - salt is good for my chips, too😃 As I have a very steep driveway that is impossible to drive out of with even a light frost, I keep a supply of salt handy anyway. I got it at the farm co-op and a bag has lasted several years so far.