Green deposits, algae and moss can build up on patios, fencing and walls, in shady areas which don't get a lot of sunlight. This creates moist spots where algae and moss can grow, on concrete, wood and stone. This build up is also more common on soft and irregular surfaces, rather than straight, harder ones.
Not only can this mossy, slippery, green carpet be unsightly, it can also cause numerous health problems to humans, animals and the environment ranging from toxicity to slips and falls. Additionally, green algae breaks down cement, resulting in future expenses if not properly maintained.
If you have greenish-black stuff on your concrete patio, it's probably mold, mildew, or moss. Damp or moist conditions from rain or humidity can encourage mold and mildew to grow in those nooks and cracks of concrete pavers or bricks.
The green algae growth was influenced by both the type of cement and the type of fly ash used. The results show that any addition of classic fly ash increases the risk of green algae colonization on the surface of concrete. 1. Introduction Green algae and cyanobacteria require light, air humidity, and minerals to grow.
Bleach: One of the most common and easily available materials used to treat green patios. Bleach when it comes in contact with any green plant, weed, or algae immediately burns it down.
One of the keys to fungus and algae prevention on concrete is to control the flow and presence of water. For exterior surfaces, this is commonly achieved with a suitable design that uses gravity to channel the water flow away from the structure.
To combat mold and algae stains on concrete, consider Mold Armor E-Z House Wash concrete cleaner. This water-based cleaner uses Microban foaming technology to lift dirt and mold from concrete surfaces, and provides long-term stain resistance. It works on most stains in minutes with no scrubbing required.
Green mold on concrete can be removed with bleach, water, and dish soap.
Best for Mold and Mildew: Wet & Forget Outdoor Mold & Mildew Cleaner. If you're dealing with black or green stains on your concrete from mold, moss, or algae, the Wet & Forget Cleaner is an easy way to get rid of them. The spray is bleach-free and non-acidic.
Many sealers out there help with algae control, but not many of them uniquely target green algae.
The main cause of green staining is damp conditions and lack of sunlight. Algae, moss and mould are organisms that thrive in shady, damp conditions. The green deposits that arise are often more noticeable in winter or after a wet period.
Chlorine is still one of the most effective killers of algae so doing a super-chlorination of 10-20 ppm of chlorine can go a long way towards wiping out the algae.
Vinegar Solution
Vinegar is the perfect option in such cases. Used similarly to bleach, vinegar is known to kill many species of fungus including harmful mold. Spraying a vinegar solution (1 cup of vinegar per gallon of water) onto the surface, saturating it fully, should kill most strains of mold.
Cyanobacteria and their toxins can make people sick. In fresh water, such as lakes and ponds, harmful blooms are most commonly caused by cyanobacteria (also called blue-green algae), which are a kind of single-celled organism called phytoplankton. Some cyanobacteria produce toxins (poisons) called cyanotoxins.
There are many ways to get rid of green algae on concrete, including boiling water, pressure washers, oxygen bleach, chlorinated bleach, and commercial algae removers.
Steam cleaning can kill algae and remove it from concrete. Load water into your steam cleaner. Allow the machine to warm up, and then blast the algae with spurts of hot steam. Once the surface has been thoroughly steamed, scrub the area with a brush and finally rinse the area with clean water.
Baking soda is another powerful way to clean and eliminate mold. Combine vinegar and baking soda by mixing them into a paste, and apply to affected areas. With a little elbow grease, it's a safe alternative to bleach and is safer to use in households with kids and pets running around.
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most effective environmental cleaning solutions for mold. Not only does it kill mold, but it also gets rid of bacteria and fungus. To kill mold with hydrogen peroxide, pour 3% concentrated hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Spray the solution directly on moldy surfaces.
Neutral pH neutral cleaners are ideal for cleaning sealed concrete surfaces free from embedded dirt and deep stains. They can also be used on unsealed indoor or outdoor concrete surfaces that only require a mild cleaning. Alkaline concrete cleaners have powerful degreasing capabilities.
Vinegar is an all-natural solution for cleaning concrete. It kills mildew and mold, removes grime, and helps treat set-in stains.
As a gentler cleaner, bleach can't harm concrete's durable material. Aside from being an effective cleaner and stain remover, it also acts as a disinfectant to the concrete surface.
Whether your patio is sealed concrete or cement, or even sealed concrete pavers, a bleach and water solution makes it easy to clean away built up soil, stains from leaves and pollen, mold, mildew and algae.
Mix four cups of vinegar with a quarter cup of salt and some water and spray your tarmac driveway, leave the vinegar solution for 15-20 minutes before washing away with water. Continue spraying your tarmac for up to a week. Once complete, wash your driveway thoroughly using dish soap and warm water, or tarmac cleaner.