Contents
Do you have a concrete driveway, but some moss has started to grow in it? Or maybe you have some tire marks on your driveway and don’t know how to get rid of them?
You don’t have to search any further, here are some tips for removing both of those with the least amount of work possible. Following these instructions, you can have your concrete back in top shape in no time.
A common problem that many homes and business owners deal with is how to remove moss from concrete. Moss and other plants can grow on concrete that has little exposure to sunlight and is often in a moist or humid condition.
Another more common thing that a driver asks is how to remove tire marks from concrete. A driveway with tire marks is a frustrating sight to see, as it looks like it has not been cleaned in ages.
For both of these problems, there is a small guide below. Graffiti, grease and gum is here.
How to remove moss from concrete
It can be lovely to look at for its vibrant colors and unique texture but is actually quite dangerous as it makes the concrete very slippery, particularly when it is wet. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to get rid of this problem.
Boiling water
A simple solution to getting rid of moss on concrete without moss remover is to use boiling water. Simply pour the boiling water on the mossy concrete and then use a heavy-duty brush to remove the moss.
This is a great way to rid pavement of moss as it does not cost anything (except for the cost of the brush) and it is safe for the environment. This method should remove the moss for short periods of time.
Pressure washer
High-pressure washers or power sprayers are also effective ways to remove moss from concrete. These work by forcing large amounts of water onto the surface of the concrete in order to loosen and remove the moss.
This is a good option for those with smaller areas of moss-covered concrete as the sprayers can only remove small patches at a time. However, it can be slightly costly to rent or buy a power sprayer for those that do not already own one.
DIY moss remover
Another solution to those wondering how to remove moss from concrete is to make a DIY moss remover by mixing water, bleach, and powdered laundry detergent. A good ratio to use is 1 part water, 1 part bleach, and 1 cup of powdered laundry detergent.
Pour the mixture on the moss-covered pavement, and wait 30 seconds. Then, simply use a strong brush to scrub off the moss. This method is said to remove moss for long periods of time. If using this method, it is important to use gloves and old clothes to protect skin from the harmful effects of the bleach.
Lime and baking powder
A final solution for removing moss from concrete is to use a mix of agricultural lime and baking powder. Moss is naturally acidic, and this concoction will neutralize the acidity and remove the moss.
The best way to do this is to leave the mixture on the mossy concrete for 24 hours, and then sweep up the powder. The moss should be dead and dry, making it easy to sweep it away with the powder. Likewise, with this method, it is important to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the lime.
Moss on concrete can look nice, but it actually makes the pavement extremely slippery and dangerous for people and animals that need to traverse the mossy area Fortunately, with a little bit of knowledge of how to remove moss from concrete, anyone can restore the overall look and safety of their concrete spaces.
How to remove tire marks from concrete
To solve the tire mark issue, the first thing that anyone should know is the reason behind it. That reason is plasticizer migration. Tire marks are left on concrete because plasticizers are polymer compounds, which, when added to plastic, rubber, and/or glue, makes the tire flexible.
Secondly, one should know that the rubber those car wheels are contained plasticizers in order to improve their traction abilities. So, after long hours of driving, one can expect the tires to have already heated up. This causes the plasticizers to soften as well as to leach their materials out of the tire and directly to the concrete pavement.
So, in reality, it is almost always impossible to avoid tire marks, especially if people park their cars at the same spot regularly.
The funny thing, however, is that better quality tires have a higher quantity of plasticizers and the probability of leaving tire marks is higher with these wheels. So, the first remedy that anyone can avail of is to change car tires. If a tire’s quality is lower, it is harder because of fewer plasticizers, which results in less marking.
For people who cannot switch tires, they can probably consider using another type of sealer instead of the one currently used. Hot tire marks occurs also because of acrylic sealers, which means that if the cross-linking is greater, the denser the coating of the sealer will be. In the end, this makes the sealer more resistant to the damages of a hot tire marking.
Sealers with higher solids such as cross-linked polyurethane or even epoxy sealer will greatly reduce the presence of markings; and, by changing sealers, an individual is able to strike a balance between durability as well as density in order to seal driveways or garage floors.
Lastly, in order to get rid of hot tire marking discoloration, a car owner should clean the surface of the concrete marked with car tire marks with a degreaser. It will depend on the level of discoloration and will take a lot of effort, but nobody has to be frustrated on how to remove tire marks from concrete.
Conclusion
I hope this helps you with removing moss and tire marks from your concrete driveways or anywhere else you might have them. Moss might seem impossible to remove at times, but when you move on to heavier solutions, it should give in and go away.
After that, you might consider sealing your concrete so the pores won’t provide such a good ground to grow on. The same goes with tire marks as sealing is easier than cleaning.
If you like the look of moss in concrete, you might consider using it as a garden or landscaping element. You can introduce it to surfaces where it would not do any harm like retaining walls or curbing. If you enjoy that kind of thing.
