Mold usually occurs in damp areas, which is an insightful nuisance and a health hazard if it occurs in your home.
For instance, if the mold grows or thrives on your concrete or paver patio, you should keep your children and pets away until you have the mold removed. Therefore, how do you remove mold from your concrete or pavers?
There are a variety of methods that you can use to remove or get rid of the mold:
- The bleach solution method
- The pressure washer method
- The hose cleaning method
- The vinegar method
In today’s article, we discuss many subjects, like applying these methods said above. We’ll also delve into why it is essential to remove mold from your patio in the first place. Continue reading down below.
How Do You Remove Mold From Concrete Pavers?
Before understanding how to remove mold from concrete or paver, you have to understand what mold is. Mold is a fungus that generally grows and thrives mainly in a damp, humid environment.
They usually occur in a variety of colors. For instance, you might experience it in either of these colors;
- Black
- Purple
- Orange
- White
- Green
The mold grows and thrives mainly on walls, basements, bathrooms, HVAC systems, and floors in a moist environment.
For instance, molds are just like green algae. They like thriving on outdoor surfaces such as concrete patio floors, pavers, and decks. Therefore, you need to remove them.
Reasons You Need to Remove Mold From Your Patio
It is vital to note that mold typically produces harmless spores if they are in small amounts. However, if they occur in large quantities, they are very harmful.
These spores are in the air, which can essentially cause health-related issues to humans and animals if they get inhaled.
The molds also spread quickly and give rise to severe stains on furniture, surfaces, and other fixtures. For instance, surfaces affected by molds are usually slippery, dangerous, and hard to walk on.
Is Mold on Your Patio Dangerous?
As discussed before, the mold is hazardous if left to grow at any place in your home or surrounding. For instance, they may be harmful to friends, family, and pets.
A patio infested by mold will cause your bricks, concrete, and paver to appear very stained. For instance, mold is the common cause of what you might be noticing black spots on your driveway or the concrete patio.
Therefore, it is vital to remove or get rid of the mold before it spreads or matures. For instance, you need the help or assistance of a professional to remove a large section of the grown mold. Doing it by yourself may pose some danger to your body or health.
Ways of Removing Mold From Your Paver & Concrete Patio
It is vital to wear protective gear whenever you are removing or getting rid of the mold.
The protective equipment includes the following:
- A dust mask
- Rubber gloves
- Protective clothing
- Protective shoes
Having protective gear enables you to avoid getting in direct contact with the mold.
1. The Bleach Solution
The bleach solution is powerful in getting rid of surface stains, algae on the paver patio, mold, and concrete. Ensure that no adjacent grass and plants may be affected by the bleaching solution before using this method.
It is important to note that this bleaching solution can cause dizziness if inhaled and irritate your skin. Therefore, it is crucial to put on protective gear.
To use this bleaching solution method, follow these step by step guides:
- Make a mixture of a gallon of warm water and a cup of bleach.
- Put this mixture or solution into a clean spray bottle.
- Spray the mixture directly on the mold.
- Leave it to stay there for about 15 minutes.
- Use a rigid bristle broom or deck brush to scrub the mold in a backward and forth motion thoroughly.
- Rinse the solution or mixture and remove dirt debris using a garden hose.
- Using a clean, dry towel or cloth, dry out any remaining water.
2. The Pressure Washer
Pressure washing is a great way to remove stubborn mold and algae buildup.
Hot water can kill fungi cells and other stubborn microorganisms. However, residential hot water is rarely used or hot enough to kill fungi. Most pressure washers do not heat water either.
You should pre-treat the area with a pre-mixed cleaning solution of a mixture of ⅓ bleach to ⅔ water.
When pressure washing, be sure to use the flat, wide nozzle attachment and wash in a back and forth motion away from the patio.
3. The Hose Cleaning Method
To use this method, you should do the following steps;
- Collect and remove leaves and other debris.
- Make a mixture of mild liquid soap and water.
- Pour the mixture on the area that needs cleaning.
- Wait 15 minutes, then give the paver and concrete patio thorough scrubbing using a hand bristle brush.
- Rinse your concrete using your garden horse and cleaning solution.
- Allow the cleaned area to dry.
- Check to confirm if any stains are remaining.
4. Using the Vinegar Method
Did you know that you can use vinegar to kill mold on the concrete and paver patio? Vinegar is one powerful cleaner that you can use to soften tough stains. As such, they help contain the mold in your home.
For instance, if you apply vinegar on the mold, they kill the cells, and as such, they are a recommendable method that you should consider to clean your concrete and paver patio.
If you want to clean the mold, you need to mix water with white vinegar equally. Then apply the mixture to your concrete or paver patio.
On the other hand, if you wish to kill mold, you will only be required to put the full-strength mixture in a spray bottle and then spray it on the mold. It is vital to avoid diluting the solution.
After spraying, you will need to allow the sprayed solution to stay on the concrete for about 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, you can then start scrubbing.
It would be best if you then rinsed the solution or mixture and debris using a hose.
How Do I Keep Mold Off My Patio Pavers?
It is an undisputed fact that the concrete and paver blocks, bricks, and patio are very much vulnerable to mold infestation.
This is because they tend to attract or trap moisture. This moisture is one conducive condition or environment that encourages the growth and thriving of mold, algae, and moss.
Therefore, one of the most effective ways to keep mold off patio pavers is to make sure that your concrete and paver patio area is clean and dry all the time.
Keep Your Patio Clean & Dry
For you to keep and paver patio dry and clean, you need to do the following;
- Try to use a dryer or fun heater to remove any element of moisture or water in the dark areas.
- You should drain all standing water in the nearby surrounding. This helps by limiting the water or moisture absorption by the concrete and paver stones, bricks, or patio.
- You should use mold prevention products often. Such products include copper crystals and solutions.
- Ensure that you regularly clean and dry your concrete and paver patio thoroughly. This will enable you to get rid of dirt and materials that supply the mold with food.
- You should prune all the overhanging branches of trees that are near the concrete and paver patio. Besides, you need to move all the furniture. Doing this will allow for sufficient sunlight onto the concrete and paver patio, bricks, cracks, and stones.
- Ensure that your concrete and paver patio is exposed to sufficient sunlight. For instance, the ultraviolet radiation rays from the sun assist in killing the mold. Besides, they drive out moisture conducive to the growth and thriving of mold from the tiny cracks.
What is the Best Cleaner for Pavers?
The best cleaner for dry and liquid application for concrete and pavers attacks the mold or stain deep below the surface.
1. Water & Vinegar
Having a water and vinegar solution removes much stubborn dirt, stains, and mold. As shown in the video above, using this method truly helps your patio look fresh and clean.
2. Soap & Water
Using the old “soap and water” method may be just what you need to get the dirty job done and over with. You need to use the dish or handsoap you use daily and add water into a bucket. You’ll then scrub the walkway using a clean brush but do it lightly.
3. Simple Green
Simple Green is an excellent product to get rid of that nasty stuff on your paver. One of the best things about this product is that it does not use harmful chemicals but leaves your patio looking fantastic in the end.
However, one downfall is that there may be a chance the paver stones will change their original color. One wise way to do this is to test the product’s brand before using it all on the patio itself. You can quickly test a single stone to ensure it does not change color after applying the concentration.
Although we went through these few options above, please consider these various factors before selecting the best cleaner for your concrete and paver patio.
Consideration When Selecting the Best Cleaner for Pavers
Since there are many available concrete and paver cleaners, you will need to understand and have deep knowledge of each cleaner and how it removes the various types of mold and stain.
For instance, you need to know how various mold and stains operate, classified, and the type of cleaner that best cleans them. With this in mind, you will be confident in choosing the best concrete and paver cleaner for yourself.
Some of the considerations that you need to make while selecting the best concrete and paver cleaner are;
- The type of stain: There are many different types of stains, and they all require different types of cleaners. For instance, there are biological stains such as mold, algae, and moss. Besides, there are those caused by hydrocarbons and solvents.
- The type of cleaner: For instance, the different cleaners work differently to remove stains. Besides, they react differently to separate concrete and paver.
- The form and concentration: It is essential to note that concrete and paver cleaners usually come in various forms, such as dry and liquid applications. The majority of liquid applications are suited to remove mineral and biological stains.
- The cleaning method: Just as there are various cleaning products, the cleaning methods are also different. Therefore, consider going for a cleaning product whose method of cleaning is best suited for you.
- The cleaning products work time: We all know that cleaning is a process that takes some time. There are fast-stain-removal cleaners and those that take time.
- How safe is the cleaner: For instance, you should always consider going for a concrete cleaner that is eco-friendly. It should not pollute or pose any risk to the environment and your general health.
Can You Use Bleach to Clean Pavers?
The bleach solution is powerful in getting rid of surface stains, algae on the paver patio, mold, and concrete.
Before you begin to use this bleaching solution, you need to make sure that no adjacent grass and plants may get affected by the bleaching solution.
It is important to note that this bleaching solution can cause dizziness if inhaled and irritate your skin. Therefore, it is crucial to put on protective gear.
To use this bleaching solution method, you should:
- Make a mixture of a gallon of warm water and a cup of bleach
- Put this mixture or solution into a clean spray bottle
- Spray the mixture directly on the mold
- Leave it to stay there for about 15 minutes
- Use a rigid bristle broom or deck brush to scrub the mold in a backward and forth motion thoroughly
- Rinse the solution or mixture and remove dirt debris using a garden hose
- Using a clean, dry towel or cloth, dry out any remaining water
What Kills Mold on Pavers?
There are various factors or products that can kill mold on concrete and paver patio.
For instance, you can kill mold on pavers by exposing the pavers to sufficient sunlight. Direct sunlight rays dry the moisture and water on the concrete and paver.
However, it is critical to note that, for either of these methods to be successful, you need to follow the step-by-step guide of each.
Therefore, you will need to understand how to perform each method to adequately kill the mold on the concrete and paver patio, bricks, cracks, and stones.
Conclusion
Presumably, you now know the tips and methods of how you can get rid of or remove mold from concrete and paver patio. We wish you the best of luck in trying these methods. If you have any other questions, please browse through the articles above!
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