If your yard has brick pavers or a brick walkway, then you know how low-maintenance they can be.
They provide ample room for people to walk without trampling on your grass and killing off plants.
Even though they may add a nice touch, they’re still at risk of moss growing in between the stones.
Moss can even climb up brick walls, which doesn’t look particularly nice.
As homeowners, we all want the best for our homes.
This is where our complete guide on how to remove moss from bricks comes in.
Want to show everyone how handy you are? Keep reading!
Why Bricks Are Optimal for Moss Growth
Moss grows on basically any surface where conditions are ideal.
This is basically anywhere with plenty of moisture and lots of shade.
Together, they make it easier for the moss to grow its food and reproduce.
Bricks are one of their favorite places to grow because they’re so porous and readily retain moisture.
In other words, bricks are like a treasure cove for these green non-vascular plants.
Learning how to kill moss on bricks is easy. You just have to know what commercial products to pick, like this one here.
You can also opt for all-natural alternatives.
They pose less of a health hazard and are better for the environment.
The latter, however, will take more time to kick in.
They also need a bit more elbow grease.
Yet, none of that matters when you’re saving the environment.
One of the best eco-friendly solutions for removing moss from brick walkways is boiling water and some dish soap.
The hot water is enough on its own because the moss can’t survive the high temperatures.
The dish soap makes it even more effective because it’s alkaline.
It can help increase the soil’s pH levels, making it less hospitable for moss to grow. Although, this method works better in small areas.
If the moss has spread out, pouring boiling water won’t be as practical.
In that case, your only option would be to use a pressure washer that can spew out hot water.
Clean Moss off Bricks in 3 Easy Steps
These basic, no-fuss techniques will show you how to remove moss from brick pavers, patio, walkways, or even brick walls.
Let’s get started.
The Materials
Here’s a list of everything you’ll need:
- Laundry bleach
- Vinegar (if you prefer a natural, more eco-friendly substitute)
- A bucket
- A scrub brush with a retractable handle
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Closed-toed shoes or boots
The Process
Here’s a simple 3-step process to remove moss from any brick surface.
Step 1: Water Everything Down
Before you start scrubbing off the moss, you’ll need to water down the brick surface.
The reason we do this is that bricks are porous and readily absorb bleach.
Unfortunately, this makes them extremely dry and brittle.
Wetting them down helps protect the bricks and gives them a fighting chance.
This is especially important when you’re removing moss from brick pavers.
This is because the ground around the pavers will readily soak up any bleach, killing off any surrounding plants in the process.
If you’re using an all-natural alternative, then you can skip this step.
Step 2: Start Scrubbing
After you’ve given your brick surfaces a nice hosing down, it’s time to mix the solution.
To make the bleach mixture, add two cups of laundry bleach for every gallon of water.
It’s true that bleach has proven itself to be a potent cleanser, both inside and outside the home.
That said, it does come with several health risks, such as skin and throat irritations.
This is why people prefer more eco-friendly alternatives that don’t pose a health risk, like vinegar.
To make a vinegar solution, add equal parts water and vinegar.
Then, let the solution sit for no less than 15 to 20 minutes before scrubbing.
The best thing about using a brush with a retractable handle is that you can cover a border area in half the time.
Dip the scrub brush into the bucket and work your way from top to bottom if you’re cleaning moss off a brick wall.
If you’re scrubbing brick pavers or walkways, start at one corner.
Then, work your way across the yard ending with the area closest to the front porch.
Step 3: Rinse and Repeat
Whatever brick surface you’re working on, chances are the moss won’t come off after one scrubbing.
It may take two or three more times until you’ve effectively removed it all.
This goes double if you’re using vinegar because it takes longer to go into effect.
Use a hose to wash off the brick surfaces and remove any leftover moss that may still be clinging to the wall or pavers.
If you’re using bleach and need something stronger than plain water, you can always use Trisodium Phosphate (TSP).
When diluted in water, TSP forms an alkaline solution powerful enough to remove grease, stains, and bleach off brick surfaces.
However, bear in mind that it can affect nearby plants.
It can also wash out paint, giving it a faded, discolored effect.
So, always use with caution.
The Prevention
The best way to keep moss off brick walls, steps, and pavers is to keep the surface clean and dry.
This means washing pavers and brick walkways with a pressure washer every week or so.
Regularly sprinkling baking soda on your brick walkways and pavers can help keep moisture at a minimum.
It’s one of the best ways to neutralize the environment and prevent moss from reappearing.
Another prevention method is to find the source of the moisture.
Sometimes that source is a leaky faucet or a dripping sprinkler head.
Sprinklers over spraying daily can surely lead to issues.
If you notice anything leaking in your yard, try to get it fixed as soon as possible to minimize the risk of moss growth.
Other Maintenance Needs
As you’re busy removing moss from brick around the front of your home, take this opportunity to eliminate mold as well.
Bear in mind that they’re not the same thing.
Moss is a plant, while mold is a fungus.
Still, they thrive in similar environments.
For starters, mold easily grows in cool, damp places where there’s plenty of moisture.
Sound familiar?
Moss uses damp surfaces to grow and spread via its leaves and stems.
Alternatively, mold reproduces via spores once they find a nice, moist surface to land on.
The good news is that you can eliminate mold using the same way you would moss. This guide covers all the steps!
FAQs
Check out these common questions by fellow homeowners asking how to remove moss from brick patios and walls.
Can I use baking soda as a natural substitute to kill off moss?
Yes, baking soda is similar to vinegar in its cleaning power.
Its abrasive properties also offer another advantage that help remove moss off brick quickly and more efficiently.
You can use it on its own or dilute three tablespoons in a quart of water in a spray bottle.
The one downside is you have to let it sit between 24 to 48 hours. During this time, the baking soda will eliminate any moisture in the bricks.
As a result, the moss will shrivel up and die.
Finally, rinse the brick pavers using a garden hose or pressure washer.
How effective are commercial moss killers?
Herbicides and other chemical products are incredibly effective as a brick moss remover.
They’re not environmentally friendly.
Plus, they’re also unsafe for regular home use.
In short, these products should only be used as a last resort or in extreme cases.
Summary
Moss will thrive anywhere there’s a nice cool shade and lots of moisture.
We know how important it is to maintain a nice-looking home; that’s why this guide is the ultimate in brick moss removal.
We told you how to remove moss from brick and keep it from coming back.
Trust us, this is one post you’ll definitely want to share with everyone!