Mold really does grow on a surprisingly large number of materials, and if you have ever noticed black patches on concrete patios and driveways, especially after rain and humid conditions, then yes, it’s most likely mold. Concrete, believe it or not, is actually ideal for mold outbreaks because of the many pores in the material, and it mostly affects areas that hold standing water, and that is shaded. And although concrete itself is not a mold food source, the dust that sits on it is what it feeds on. We will show you how to remove it and share a few tips and tricks on how to prevent mold outbreaks on concrete driveways and patios.
Topics Covered
- How to remove mold from outdoor concrete
- How to remove mold from indoor concrete
- How to prevent mold on concrete
How to remove mold from outdoor concrete
The best thing you can use is a pressure washer that has adequate power to spray the mold and mildew off. Doing it this way will save you a lot of time and spare you from manual scrubbing. Just be sure that the pressure washer has a minimum of 3000 psi, as this is the bare minimum to clean out dirt and mold spores from the pores.
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How to remove mold from indoor concrete
Step 1: Prepare your cleaning solution
You can use either bleach or vinegar. If using bleach, take a bucket and mix one part bleach and three parts water. Keep in mind that bleach is incredibly toxic, so use a mask and gloves. Also, don’t add anything else to the mixture as some other ingredients can create extremely toxic fumes when coming into contact with bleach.
Vinegar is a far safer option as there is nothing toxic about it. To use a vinegar solution, mix one-half water and one-half white distilled vinegar into a bucket. To make it even more effective, add a scoop of baking soda and mix it well.
Step 2: Scrub
Use a bristle brush to scrub the mold off.
Step 3: Rinse and dry
Rinse the cleaning solution and mold off from the concrete surfaces and place a fan in the room to help it dry faster. An air mover will be ideal in this situation.
How to prevent mold on outdoor concrete
1: Check for standing water
Standing water on patios and driveways is a common problem. It also invites mold, mildew, and moss to grow on the surface, which can be slipping hazards. Fixing this problem can, in most cases, be somewhat labor-intensive as it’s usually caused by lousy drainage, damaged concrete, or in some cases, bad installation.
Read more about it here.
2: Prevent shaded areas
Sunlight kills mold, and if there are sections of your driveway or patio that are shaded for most of the day, then the sun won’t be able to reach it. If plants, bushes, or trees are causing the shade and you are having a major mold problem on that section of concrete, then seriously consider cutting down those trees or bushes.
3: Apply an acrylic sealer
Applying an acrylic sealer on concrete is an excellent way to protect driveways and patios for years to come. It sticks to the surface as a protective layer that prevents mold spores and water from penetrating the pores, thereby keeping it free from mold, mildew, algae, and moss.
KILZ L390201 Interior/Exterior Concrete, Brick, and Tile Liquid Masonry Sealer
A high-quality concrete, brick, and tile masonry sealer brought to you by the leading mold-resistant paint company – KILZ.
Just one coat on your patio or driveway will protect it from mold, mildew, and stains for years without fading the colors.
The product can be applied on clean surfaces that are free of dust and mold through a pump sprayer, brush or roller, and dries within an hour. Also, one gallon of this concrete acrylic sealer can cover up to 400 square feet.
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