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How to clean black mold from pavers?

Mold can appear everywhere, from fruits to pavers. They are probably every homeowner’s nightmare and not only causes aesthetic problems but also health issues, once it can cause a variety of symptoms, like shortness of breath, aggravated asthma, sinus congestion, coughing, itchy eyes, allergies, etc.

If you have black mold growing on your pavers the best thing can do is give them a good cleaning to remove the mold and make sure it stays away from them for a long time.

In this article, you’re gonna learn everything you need about cleaning and removing black mold from pavers properly and safely in a step-by-step guide!

How to clean black mold from pavers?

Fortunately, black mold isn’t impossible to remove, but to clean everything you’re gonna need some supplies and tools to do the work safely:

  • Safety equipment (gloves, eye protection, and a dust mask)
  • Stiff push broom or deck brush
  • Plastic scraper
  • Pressure washer
  • Vinegar or bleach
  • Cleaning solution for pavers (optional)

All set? Let’s start! Follow the next steps to remove and clean black mold properly from pavers.

Step 1: Clear and dry out the area

Start by removing everything from the area you’re about to clean, like plans and furniture. Then, plan to clean in a week with no rain, once it’s easier (and safer) to remove the mold when everything is dry. To make the drying process faster, you can use a fan or heater that is safe for outdoor use.

Step 2: Sweep the area

After the surface is fully dry, brush the mold away as much as possible with a stiff brush or a broom. If you have stubborn spots, you can use a plastic scraper to remove them.

Step 3: Use a Pressure Washer

After you removed everything you could by brushing it, use a pressure washer or a garden hose to effectively remove the rest of the mold. Just remember that if you use a pressure washer, you’re gonna need to reapply sand between the pavers after cleaning them.

Step 4: Use vinegar or bleach

If the mold insists on staying put after you pressure washed it, you can use a vinegar solution or bleach to remove the rest of it. 

If you chose vinegar, make a mixture of 50/50 of vinegar and hot water and put it in a spray bottle, then spray it over all the area and wait for 5 to 10 minutes. After that time, srub a little more with a stiff brush and rinse the area. Remember to be careful with vinegar spills, they can burn your skin.

If vinegar doesn’t work, you can also try using bleach, by mixing about a cup of it for each gallon of water. Put the mix in a spray bottle and spray all over the area, then wait for 5 minutes to rinse the area.

Step 5: Pavers Cleaner (optional)

If vinegar or bleach do not work or you prefer to go to a commercial solution, you can use a cleaning solution made especially for pavers. Usually, you will find the instructions of use with the product, but for most of these cleaners, you can spray the area, let it for few minutes, scrub the area, then rinse the surface.

Step 6: Seal your pavers 

One of the best methods to prevent mold, weed, moss, stains, damages, and water penetration is by sealing your pavers. Fortunately, there is no better time to seal the surface after a good cleaning.

If you have no idea how to seal your pavers, we have an article that can help you out and answer all your questions about the subject!

A brick paver patio in a herringbone pattern
Sealing it’s the best way to prevent black mold

Hire a pro to clean and seal your pavers!

As you could see through this article, removing black mold by yourself is not an easy task. But, fortunately, you can always leave all the cleaning and sealing in the hands of professionals, and if you are worried about the price, you can get a free estimate for the service.

S&S Pavers has over 10 years of experience serving the counties of Manatee and Sarasota. If you live in Sarasota, Manatee, or any of our surrounding counties contact us, we will be glad to assist you!

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