moss on driveway

Ashill5

Hi All,

Just looking for ideas for cleaning moss off of tarmacadam. TIA

Pod123

Use washing powder and if you can get the use of a small hand seed barrow.
Probably would be able to rent one it will save on washing powder.

Plumbthedepths

Pod123 wrote:

Use washing powder and if you can get the use of a small hand seed barrow. Probably would be able to rent one it will save on washing powder.

Second this, I do my own driveway every year with washing powder from Aldi. I throw it out like I'm spreading grass seed.

muffler

+1 on the above. Have done my own several times with washing powder.

Calahonda52

is this solution just for tarmac drives or will it work with wobble-lock?

bassy

chlorine you can buy it in a good co op and mix with water and spray on,does a excellent job.

the_pen_turner

i have done the washing powder trick a few times. i think it needs to be bio for nome reason.


has anyone tried disolving it in water adn pouring it on . it would mean the place isnt covered in white powder for a few days

harr

Is moss particularly bad lately, our driveway is covered as are the neighbors drives, I don’t think I have noticed it as bad before.

Plumbthedepths

the_pen_turner wrote:

has anyone tried disolving it in water adn pouring it on . it would mean the place isnt covered in white powder for a few days

It works quicker I find if the driveway is wet and the powder dry. Leaves a nice smell around the place. Did mine on Saturday, the moss is brown already and just brushes away. Used bio as it happens but used non bio in the past found no difference tbh.

Plumbthedepths

Calahonda52 wrote:

is this solution just for tarmac drives or will it work with wobble-lock?

Works well on either surface.

Neames

How long do you leave the washing powder on the tarmac...overnight...a few days?

cnocbui

Needs to be Bio washing powder as it's the enzymes in it that kill the moss.

martinr5232

Neames wrote:

How long do you leave the washing powder on the tarmac...overnight...a few days?

Just leave it on no need to do anything with it. The moss will go brown you can sweep it away after a few days if you want.

Pod123

Just wondering
If washing powder works on the driveway,would it work on a tiled roof ?
I understand there would a safety issue but using appropriate hoist and safety gear would it work??
Thanks

liam7831

Pod123 wrote:

Just wondering If washing powder works on the driveway,would it work on a tiled roof ? I understand there would a safety issue but using appropriate hoist and safety gear would it work?? Thanks

If you are getting a hoist and safety gear word be easier just get in a professional

Calahonda52

Pod123 wrote: »

Just wondering
If washing powder works on the driveway,would it work on a tiled roof ?
I understand there would a safety issue but using appropriate hoist and safety gear would it work??
Thanks

Issue here is what drainage system do you have for rainwater.
If its a french drain, then you are polluting the groundwater.
If you have a separate sewer pipe for rainwater, then not for suds...

Pod123

Thanks for quick replies.
I was always curious as why it was not done but now I know.
Thanks

Plumbthedepths

I live in a bungalow, Jeyes fluid diluted and sprayed on the tiles with a Weed sprayer works great.

BrianD3

My tarmac driveway is particularly bad with moss this year - it looks more like a "sprinkling" rather than big clumps however in some ways this is harder to remove than big clumps. I have used washing powder (Aerial bio) in parts and confirm it does turn the moss brown but it is messy and the remaining brown moss doesn't seem to be any easier to physically remove than the untreated green moss.

Yard brush - ineffective
Scrubbing/deck brush - not very effective and I've already broken one by pressing too hard on it
Hand scrubbing brush - quite effective but would takes many hours of hard scrubbing on hands and knees
Hand wire brush - better again but again hours of labour and also scrapes the tarmac too much
Karcher K7 pressure washer - fairly effective but not as much as i thought it would be. Takes ages, jet needs to be held very close at full power, it makes a mess and I worry about damaging the tarmac.

Based on my experience with the scrubbing brushes, a powered scrubbing brush with very stiff but not wire bristles would seem to be ideal. Anyone got recommendations. I've looked online at everything from drill attachments to domestic "spin scrubbers" to commercial "weed rippers" and no doubt some of them would be exactly what is needed while others would be ineffective and others overkill.

Lumen

How about a "weed brush"? Wonder if anywhere in Ireland hires them?

https://www.adverts.ie/heavy-machinery/kersten-weed-ripper-weed-brush-sweeper/7977757
http://www.brandontoolhire.co.uk/en/floor-cleaning-equipment-hire/13412-cub-powered-weed-brush-hire.html

edit: further Googling suggests that Leinster Turf Equipment distrubute Cubb Weed Brushes so maybe they know who hires them.

BrianD3

Lumen wrote: »

How about a "weed brush"? Wonder if anywhere in Ireland hires them?

https://www.adverts.ie/heavy-machinery/kersten-weed-ripper-weed-brush-sweeper/7977757
http://www.brandontoolhire.co.uk/en/floor-cleaning-equipment-hire/13412-cub-powered-weed-brush-hire.html

edit: further Googling suggests that Leinster Turf Equipment distrubute Cubb Weed Brushes so maybe they know who hires them.

Thank you, yes that machine on adverts would likely do a great job but for 3.5k purchase price it is overkill! As you suggest I will look into hiring one and will continue to look for lighter duty and cheaper domestic equipment available to buy. Something like this (discontinued) Black and Decker perhaps
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Decker-NPS1018-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B000NJQ73M

With the way weeds and moss grow in temperate climates there must surely be a market for a power tool for scrubbing tarmac.