How to Remove and Prevent Mold on Concrete Patio

ByJoe Hammond Updated

There’s nothing as disgusting and heartbreaking as molds on your concrete patio; they not only make the area look ugly with the black stains but also restrain you from relaxing on the patio in the evenings.

It’s essential to prevent them from growing on the patio and if they grow anyway, remove them immediately. Thinking of it, are molds on concrete patios dangerous?

Is mold on concrete dangerous?

Black molds on the concrete patio are hazardous to humans, pets, and the concrete. Fungi cells( they form molds) reproduce through spores and spread to the air. If you inhale these spores, you might experience breathing problems and catch airborne diseases too.

Molds also irritate when they come into contact with the skin or eyes. On the concrete patio, they cause black stains destroying its beautiful appearance. You can fall if you step on black molds because they are slippery.

How to remove mold from concrete patio

When molds invade your floors, they make them look unattractive and because they are dangerous to your family and pets, removing them is the best option in such a situation. You can remove molds from your concrete patio and have them sparkling again using the procedures discussed below:

1. Dust cleaning

Dust cleaning is the first and most straightforward method best for removing young molds that have just started forming on your concrete patio.

Before cleaning the mold, be cautious about wearing protective gear such as plastic gloves, rubber shoes, and a face mask to protect you from skin irritation and breathing difficulties that may arise while cleaning.

  • Using a vacuum cleaner or a feather duster, dust out to remove all dirt debris on the concrete floor.
  • Mix warm water with mild soap or detergent in a bucket, and pour the mixture on molds in the concrete patio.
  • Using a bristle brush or wire brush, vigorously scrub the molds in a circular motion to remove them from the floor.
  • After all the molds have come out, rinse the floor with clean water using a hosepipe, and let all the water dry completely from the floor.

2. Bleaching

Bleaches are acidic and remove molds from the floor by killing the fungi. Bleaches are effective in killing molds that have formed on impervious surfaces such as tiles and concrete.

To remove molds from the concrete patio using a bleaching solution, you will first clean to remove the dirt and debris using a vacuum cleaner.

Remember to put on protective gears before you begin cleaning.

  • Mix 1 cup of bleach with a gallon of water in a bucket.
  • Pour the mixture (bleach solution) into a spray bottle.
  • Apply the mixture to the concrete patio area with molds using the spray bottle and settle for 15 minutes.
  • Waiting allows the bleach to act on the molds by softening and killing them.
  • Scrub the surface vigorously in a circular motion using a wire brush or a bristle brush.
  • Using a hosepipe, rinse the floor with clean water.
  •  Let the place dry up completely.

3. Clean with white vinegar

Removing molds from the concrete patio using white vinegar works similarly to using bleach on the surface. Vinegar is an acidic solution and eliminates molds(up to 82 %) by softening and killing them. They remove molds on both porous and non-porous surfaces.

  • Put white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it on the molds on concrete.
  • You can also pour the white vinegar on the affected floor with a  hand cloth, and you must put on protective gloves.
  • Let the vinegar sit for about an hour.
  • Using warm water and a bristle brush, scrub the mold off the concrete patio.
  • Rinse the surface with warm water.
  • Let the surface dry completely, or use a dry cloth to remove the remaining water.

4. Pressure washer cleaning

Removing molds using a pressure washer is the best method for stubborn old molds.

A pressure washer has hot water that removes molds by killing the fungi cells.

  • Using a pressure washer, apply hot water to the mold-affected areas.
  • Scrub the molds using a bristle brush in a circular motion.
  • When all molds have come out, rinse the place using a hosepipe and dry it thoroughly.
  • Removing molds from the concrete patio is an easy process, and in case of severe mold invasion, seek help from a professional.
  • Also, don’t remove the molds if you have severe breathing problems, as it can be hazardous and fatal.
  • Remember to stay away from the concrete patio for a while if you start experiencing breathing difficulties during cleaning.
  •  Wear protective gears before you begin removing the molds.

How to prevent mold on concrete patio

Molds on the concrete patio are hazardous to humans and pets, and the surest way to keep ourselves free from them is by being cautious and prevent them from growing on the patio.  Besides, prevention is better than cure.

Here are methods to use to prevent molds from invading your concrete patio:

1. Regular cleaning

Molds are a type of fungi; they feed on food remains or debris deposits on surfaces. To starve them and prevent them from growing and multiplying on concrete patio, remove all food deposits.

  • Keep the concrete patio clean by sweeping any debris and food deposits on the surface.
  • To clean, use a measurable amount of detergent and a gallon of water. Mix in a bucket and pour the mixture on the concrete, then scrub with a bristle brush.
  • After cleaning, allow the patio to dry completely.

2. Drain water on the patio

Molds thrive well in dumpy places with water or moisture. Dry any water on the concrete patio after cleaning or after the rains. Also, check the surrounding of the concrete patio to see if there are standing waters.

Drain the waters to prevent molds from growing and spreading through their microscopic spores to the concrete patio.

To prevent water from collecting on the patio after rains, have a properly built and unblocked water drainage system connected to the patio. If the drainage system doesn’t work and water collects anyways, here’s how to drain the standing  water:

  • Unclog the drainage system to allow water to flow out from the patio.

Here is the easiest  DIY unclogging method:

  1. Measure 1 cup of baking soda and pour it into the drain.
  2. Measure 1 cup of vinegar and add to the drain too.  Baking soda and vinegar will react to produce bubbles.
  3. Let the mixture settle for about 30 minutes.
  4. Pour hot water into the drain to wash away the mixture or remove debris clogs in the drain.
  • Drill small holes on the patio’s surface and fill them with gravel to drain the excess water.
  • If the patio lacks a drainage channel, build a slopping drainage channel to remove water from it.

3. Pruning

Molds thrive best in dark, damp places. If nearby trees and shrubs are near the patio, prune their excess branches, vines, flowers, and leaves. Cutting extra leaves and branches of trees allows more sunlight to reach the patio area, preventing fungal activities that lead to the growth of molds on the patio.

Use a pair of sharp secateurs to cut excess leaves and flowers or pruning saws for thicker diameter( between 1.5 to 5 inches) branches.

4. Check for and remove molds under near  furniture

Chairs or tables on patios can create good homes for molds to live in. If you concentrate on removing molds on the concrete patio floor only, the molds under the furniture will spread to the other areas of the place, and you will often be dealing with mold attacks.

Check for and remove the molds under the furniture to prevent them from spreading to the other areas. Use the ways  below to remove molds from pieces of furniture:

  • Scrub any visible molds using a bristle brush or a broom. You can also use a vacuum cleaner for this.
  • Put white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray under the furniture.
  • Use mild soapy water to rub the molds using a bristle brush and let it dry, or use a cloth to remove the remaining waters.

5. Use fun heaters to remove excess moisture

Moisture on the concrete patio creates a dumpy environment conducive for fungi to thrive and form molds. Connect a  fan heater to an electric socket to remove all water on the concrete patio to prevent the molds from growing.

You can get a fun heater from online stores or in your local stores.

Overall, the critical way to remove molds is through regular cleaning and, to prevent them, keep the concrete patio dry and clean.

Sources and References

Joe Hammond is a high school Agriculture teacher, but 18 years ago, he developed a passion for gardening and started doing it right in his backyard. He shares his gardening, backyard improvement, and DIY tips right here.

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