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Whether driveways are made up of asphalt, concrete, or beautifully designed block pavers, at some point they are going to attract moss. This is because all the joints between blocks or cracks in tarmac are perfectly protected, damp areas for moss to grow. Many people use dangerous bleach to kill moss on driveways. This is not only extremely bad for the environment but it is not very successful either. So what is the best moss killer for driveways and the easiest way to kill moss on driveways?
What is the Best Moss Killer for Driveways?
I have been a professional gardener for over 30 years and moss has been my nemesis! Using sprays to kill moss isn’t easy simply because, in my experience, you never get enough product on the moss to kill it. Additionally, it is usually raining which dilutes the product or it’s too windy, causing spray drift which can damage adjoining lawns and borders.
For the last 10 years, we have used sodium percarbonate on driveways, paths, tennis courts and roofs to kill moss. It is an easy to spread granule that can be used in the rain or wind (not a gale though!). Just spread the granules over the mossy area and leave it to work and that’s it you’re done. The moss dies and doesn’t regrow.
How can I kill Moss and Prevent Moss Growing on my Driveway?
Sodium Percarbonate is the most effective moss and algae killer for tarmac and concrete for one very good reason. When the granules of sodium percarbonate react with water they create a mass of bubbly liquid (water filled with oxygen). The liquid soaks and envelopes the moss, working its way down into every crack and crevice, killing the moss rhizoids (roots) and the spores (the reproductive part of moss) as it goes. This ensures 100% Kill of the moss and stops the moss from regrowing on your driveway.
Sodium Percarbonate is brilliant at breaking down single-celled organisms like moss and algae and as it is just water and oxygen there is no damage to the environment.
Sodium percarbonate spread on the mossy tarmac
How much Sodium Percarbonate do I Need?
In order to kill moss on a driveway, you will need 40 grams per square metre. For example, if your drive is 12m long x 3m wide you will need approximately 1.4kg of sodium percarbonate to kill the moss and stop it from regrowing.
Is Sodium Percarbonate good value?
I believe sodium percarbonate is very good value. Moss killing chemicals are expensive and there is no guarantee they will work because of the way they are mixed and applied. Sodium percarbonate can also be used as a cleaner around the home and garden, so having a bag of it to hand makes it a very economical buy. It doesn’t smell and is an eco-friendly product too. If you are still not convinced that this is the best way to kill moss and algae, read my article on domestic moss and algae killing chemicals HERE.
The Easiest and Quickest way to Kill Moss on Driveways
Sodium percarbonate granules need water to react. This can be fresh water from a hosepipe or rain. If no rain is imminent, dampen down the area with water and then spread the granules using a gloved hand at a rate of about 2oz/40grams per square meter.
If I know rain is definitely going to fall I will go out and spread the granules shortly before the rain. It doesn’t matter which method you use.
Once the water and sodium percarbonate meet, the granules will dissolve and work their magic, creating oxygen and lots of it! There is nothing more to do.
Don’t worry about plants or nearby grass they will be unaffected by sodium percarbonate.
What is the white residue left after a Sodium Percarbonate application?
Sometimes when sodium percarbonate has finished reacting with water, usually about 40 minutes, there is a white chalky residue left behind.
There is no need to worry this is just soda ash a byproduct of the reaction and will be washed away by the next rain shower or if no rain is imminent you can rinse it off with a hose the next day.
You can buy sodium percarbonate easily from amazon.co.uk and eBay.co.uk.
could you tell me please, can I use this stuff to kill algae on indian sandstone?
Hi yes you can, you can use it on any surface, please let me know how you get on!