Moss Growth On Asphalt Driveways – Cleaning And Preventing Re-Growth
Does your asphalt driveway have moss growing on it? Do you know how to remove that moss and make it more difficult for it to regrow in the same area? Here, you will learn how to do both.
Removing the Moss
Use a flat-blade spade to scrape the moss from the asphalt as best you can. Use enough pressure to remove the moss as close to the surface as possible. Use the spade to continue scraping the area until the area is clean. This means removing the moss, as well as the dirt that the moss is likely growing from.
Treat the area using metal-sulfate based moss herbicide. Before buying the product, read the safety label to be sure that it is safe for use on asphalt surfaces. Some of these products could damage asphalt, so be selective in what you use. If you cannot decide which is best, ask the sales associate at the store for assistance.
When treating the asphalt with the herbicide, do so during a time in which rain is not in the forecast for a few days. The longer the herbicide can soak into the surface and kill the spores and roots, the better the results of the treatment will be.
Note: Herbicide can be damaging to grass and plants, so use it only as directed. Cover plants and grass with plastic to provide a layer of protection while treating the moss.
Preventing Re-Growth
Keeping your asphalt driveway clean will help to decrease the moss growth. Moss will quickly root in soil that is left on the surface. Every couple of weeks, go out and sweep the driveway to remove the dirt before the moss has a chance to grow.
Keep the asphalt dry. If your sprinkler system or gutter system is causing water to sit on your asphalt driveway, you need to take steps to redirect the water elsewhere. This can be accomplished by redirecting downspouts or cleaning the gutters and adjusting the settings on your sprinkler system.
Limit the shaded areas on your asphalt surface. Sun expedites the drying time of the surface and reduces the likelihood of moss growing. Trim back trees and shrubs that hang over the driveway to increase the sun exposure.
If you remove and take these preventative steps to keep the most from re-growing and still have an issue, talk with your asphalt contractor, such as Asphalt Maintenance, to learn if there are any other steps that you can take to put a stop to moss growth on your asphalt driveway.