The weather hasn’t quite made up its mind as to which season we are currently in. We’re still experiencing summerlike temperatures in the middle of October. With that comes a warm, humid temperature. This may sound ideal for us in New Jersey, wearing our shorts in the middle of October. However, we’re not the only ones enjoying the weather. Warm, humid conditions are a breeding ground for mold to form. The last thing you want is to find mold growing on your beautiful patio, ruining the concrete work.
Mold can grow anywhere that these conditions are present. Whether it’s the concrete work surrounding your pool or the brick pavers on your walkway, nothing is immune to mold. Despite its ugly appearance, mold can pose a number of dangers, including negatively affecting your health. Breathing in mold, even outside in the open air, can aggravate asthma, trigger sinus congestion, and a number of other respiratory problems. That’s why it is so important that you remove the mold as soon as possible.
To remove mold (and also algae) from your brick pavers and concrete patios:
- Dry Out the Area: Removing the mold from the area will be much easier if you’re working with a dry surface. As long as the surface still retains moisture, mold spores can still grow.
- Sweep the Area: After you’ve let the area dry out, much of the mold can be removed with by simply sweeping it up. Don’t mop it up, or you will be introducing more moisture into the area. Use a stiff bristled broom or deck brush to get the mold up.
- Vinegar/Bleach Wash the Area: Similar to how you treat household objects that have mold, you can also use the same vinegar or bleach on your outside work. Retaining walls, brick pavers, most parts of the hardscape can withstand a thorough wipe down of vinegar or bleach.
It’s better to get started on removing the mold now before the problem gets out of hand.
