Moss, mold, and mildew can be unsightly when they settle on your brick and stone pavers. Removing them requires more than a simple power wash—it takes the right products, tools, and techniques to get rid of these stubborn growths. Fortunately, removing moss and mold from your brick or stone pavers is completely possible using the steps outlined in this guide.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Before you start cleaning your pavers, make sure you have everything you need within easy reach. You will need the following materials: a small brush or scrubber, a bucket of water, a gallon of bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water), safety goggles, rubber gloves, and an old rag or sponge for wiping down.

Step 2: Clear the Area

When you’re getting ready to tackle a moss and mold removal project, one of the most important steps is to make sure that you’ve cleared the area of any obstructions such as plants or furniture. By doing this, you’ll give yourself enough space for proper maneuvering during the cleaning process. Also be sure to plan your cleaning project when there’s no chance of rain, as it’s best practice to clean areas with excess moisture outdoors once they are dry. If you want to minimize drying time and speed up the cleaning process, consider using an outdoor safe fan or heater to assist.

Step 3: Remove Loose Debris

Once you’ve gathered all of your materials, it’s time to start cleaning. Begin by removing any loose debris such as leaves or sticks that may be stuck in the cracks between your pavers, then brush away as much of the mold as possible with a firm bristled brush or broom. If there are any areas that remain stubbornly stuck to the surface, then try using a plastic scraper to remove them. Be mindful not to damage the surface in your efforts.

Step 4: Scrub Away the Mold

Next up is scrubbing away the moss and mold with your bleach solution mixture. Using your brush or scrubber—or even an old toothbrush—scrub vigorously until all of the moss and mold are gone. If necessary, use additional bleach solution to help loosen up any stubborn spots. Make sure to wear safety goggles and rubber gloves while doing this step, as both bleach and mold can be hazardous for your health without proper protection.

Step 5: Power Wash

Once you have removed as much of the mold as you can by brushing it away, it’s time to rinse off any remaining residue. For best results, pressure wash your pavers–you can use a pressure washer or garden hose to effectively remove leftover buildup. It is important to note that if you decide to go with the pressure washer route, sand will likely need to be reapplied between the pavers post-cleaning to restore anything that has come loose.

Step 6: Use a Vinegar or Bleach Solution

When pressure washing has not managed to get rid of all of the mold, you may consider using either a vinegar or bleach solution to remove the rest. To make a vinegar solution, combine equal parts of hot water and vinegar in a spray bottle, then spray it over the affected area and let sit for five to ten minutes. Once the solution has had time to take effect, use a firm-bristled brush to scrub lightly before rinsing the area with water. Be sure to take care when handling the vinegar solution, as spills can cause burning sensations on skin.

Vinegar is a safe and effective mold removal solution, but if this method doesn’t prove to be effective, then a heavier-duty weapon may be deployed: bleach. One cup of bleach mixed with a gallon of water should do the trick. Simply combine the bleach and water in a spray bottle and apply directly to the pavers. It’s important to note that using bleach can have detrimental effects on the environment and may stain some bricks or pavers it comes into contact with, so it’s always wise to try this technique on a less visible area before applying it onto a larger section of pavers.

Step 7: Prevent Future Problems

Mold and algae can be problematic for any outdoor space, reducing the curb appeal of an area and potentially inviting more pests. Prevention will prove to be much more effective than treatment in reducing the frequency of mold growth in the future. The solution lies in improving drainage, making sure that the area has proper ventilation so that it can dry out when wet. This may require some changes such as pruning trees or shrubs above the area, relocating patio furniture to reduce shade, or finding ways of diverting water runoff so that flooding or pooling doesn’t occur. If done properly though, following these steps will go a long way toward keeping mold and algae growth at bay.

To further combat this deterioration and keep your outdoor space aesthetically pleasing, it is also important to seal your pavers. Sealing the paver surface prevents damage and stains, while at the same time maintaining its color. Sealing the surface is most effective when done immediately after a thorough cleaning.

Taking the time to properly clean and remove moss or mold buildup on your brick and stone pavers can help keep your outdoor space looking great. Standard brick paver cleaning tactics such as brushing, power washing, and applying a vinegar- or bleach-based solution are all important steps in maintaining healthy, beautiful pavers. Additionally, it is important to take preventative measures such as improving drainage and sealing the area to reduce the occurrence of mold and moss problems later on. With due diligence and vigilance, you can ensure that your brick and stone pavers remain free from these nuisance issues over time. Knowing the specifics of how to do this will save you headaches down the road and make sure that both your driveway and walkways always look clean.

For more complex issues regarding mold and moss on your property, contact a professional mold removal company.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.