First off, what causes moss on stones? Moss can be caused by a various number of things such as excessive shade, compact soils, drained soils, low soil fertility, high or low soil pH, and poor air circulation. The problems with soil weaken the plants and allow for moss to grow and crowd them out.
There are several ways to get rid of moss on paving stone surfaces. Here is a list of various methods of removing moss you can use to do so. If you have any further questions on how to remove moss from paving stones and patio pavers, please contact Tuscany Pavers today!
Sunlight
-easiest, least expensive method is to expose the moss to sunlight
-move cars/patio furniture, trim nearby trees and shrubs to let the sun shine directly onto moss
Repair leaks and check irrigation
-repair leaky faucets, pipes, or sprinkler heads that could be causing the collection of water which enables moss growth
-San Diego’s and California’s mandatory restrictions for water use includes immediately repairing leaks and avoiding runoff
Boiling water
-moss on paving stone surfaces can be tamed with boiling water
-natural option that will have no effect on plants nearby
-after pouring the boiling water you may have to scrub surface to remove moss
Vinegar and water mixture
-vinegar can be used to kill moss
-natural option that you may need to repeat multiple times to get rid of moss
Pressure wash the area
-use a power washer to get rid of moss on paving stone
-may or may not be effective & uses a lot of water
-may need to replace joint sand if it washes away during process
-cleaning and sealing pavers is a great way to remove moss and restore appearance
Sprinkle baking soda
-generously sprinkle baking soda over the moss, leave it overnight, then push broom/deck brush to remove the baking soda
-scrub the paving stone area to remove moss
Bleach
-if using bleach be sure to keep children and pets away from treatment area during/immediately after you treat it
-be sure to wear protective eyewear and gloves
-don’t get bleach on desirable plants and be careful when rinsing the area
-scrub area before applying bleach solution
-mix equal parts bleach and water into spray bottle and spray onto mossy area
-leave solution on for at least 15 minutes, scrub moss area again, rinse with water
Commercial moss remover
-if all else fails, there are commercial moss killer – some more toxic than others
-these are specifically for killing moss
How to Prevent Moss from Growing Back
Keep your paving stone surface free from debris like dirt, standing water, etc. Deep clean your pavers every few months with a hose/cleaning solution.