A brick paver patio is one of the most elegant and classic choices you can go for when it comes to hardscape. However, with it comes a problem: moss. How to stop moss from growing on brick pavers?

Moss can be a complicated problem. It doesn’t matter how well your installation goes and how well you take care of your patio, eventually, moss will grow on it. It is just a matter of time.

That happens because the grout lines between pavers are a perfect environment for moss to grow. Let’s discuss how moss grows on pavers, how can you get rid of it, and how to prevent it as best as you can.

How does Moss Grow on Brick Pavers?

To grow and survive, moss needs food in the first place and, basically, anything can become food for moss. Really, anything. Dust, minerals, tree saps, organic matter, moss can use all of this for food.

The grout lines between pavers are a banquet for moss. With little to light and full of airborne particles mixed in the sand, they are a perfect place for the growth of moss.

But what really makes it thrive is water. If you could keep your paver patio always 100% dry you would have no problem with moss. However, that’s virtually impossible.

Even morning mist and dew have enough moisture to sustain moss growth. Even if you don’t exactly wash your pavers, rain and other environmental factors will feed the moss enough humidity to grow.

So that already gives you a hint of some things you can do to prevent as best as possible the growth of the moss.

About Power Washing – Yes or No?

There is one very important thing we want to talk about: power washing.

Many people will say that power washing your paver patio is a good way to clean it and one of the best ways to get rid of stains, moss, and any other dirt.

They would be right. Power washing can be a useful tool when cleaning your paver patio. But be careful!

If not handled properly, power washing not only can cause real physical damage to your pavers but also remove the sand between the grout lines, leaving the pavers loose.

And now that you know that humidity in the grout lines of pavers is one of the main causes of moss growth, you can only imagine how much the bad use of power washing may contribute to creating the perfect environment for moss to grow.

This is why the help of a professional is always recommended. Power washing is good, but never try to do it yourself unless you are 200% sure of what you’re doing.

How to Prevent Moss From Growing?

Well, as we said, it is virtually impossible to prevent moss from growing. However, there are a few things you can do to avoid it for as long as possible.

• Keep Your Patio as Clean as Possible
  Don’t let leaves, dirt, or any other form of debris rest on top of it for too long. A broom or blower are your best friends to keep a paver patio clean and cut the food source of moss.
  
• Keep Your Patio Dry
  That part can be tricky and is something that must be thought from the moment of the installation of the patio itself. Make sure to have proper drainage on your installation, this article can help you with that.
  
  Proper drainage will prevent water from accumulating at the bottom of your patio. Also, it is recommended that you keep your patio free of standing water using a squeegee or similar tool, especially after a rainy day or in shaded areas, where the sun will not reach and help with the drying process.
  
• Remove Moss Growths Right Away
  Don’t give it a chance, remove any moss as soon as you see it. Given time, the moss will take roots in the sand between the grout lines and then the process of getting rid of it becomes more difficult and more expensive.
  
  You always want to get rid of the moss doing little damage as possible to the sand. First cleand the moss mechanically using a stiff broom or a scrub brush.
  
  After that, if there’s still some moss hard to remove, mix a solution of bleach and water (one part bleach, nine parts water) and apply to the affected area, gently scrubing with a brush. Once that’s done, rinse the area and let it dry.

Does Sealing Prevents Moss From Growing?

Sealing your paver patio is always recommended, as long as you be mindful that it can alter its adherence. But, as good as it is, it doesn’t completely prevent mold from growing. That’s because, as we said before, moss starts on the grout lines and then spreads to the pavers themselves.

However, sealing your paver patio will help a lot, especially in preventing the moisture from accumulating and making the cleaning process easier.

Professional Cleaning and Maitenance

Sometimes the situation is critical and it is impossible to clean your pavers from moss without compromising the joint sand. If that’s your case, your best alternative is to ask for professional help.

Professionals can clean away the moss as well as replace any pavers that are beyond repair. More than that, they can also reapply the joint sand and seal the whole patio to top it all off.

If you happen to be around the Sarasota and Manatee Counties, in Florida, your best choice is the professionals at S&S Pavers. With more than 10 years of experience, they are ready to help you with every hardscape need you might have.

Get in contact right now through the phone number 941-773-3098 or the email sales@sspavers.com.