By now you’ll know that we’re big plant people. It’s why we’re in the grounds maintenance business -because we love seeing plants, shrubs and trees grow and thrive. But there are certain plants that we’re not as fond of. Invasive species that can do more harm than good, and cause our customers all sorts of problems. One of those plants is moss, and today we’re going to explain why moss isn’t a good plant to have on commercial grounds, and how to get rid of it in a safe and gentle way.
Why Is Moss Bad?
Moss is a soft green plant that thrives in damp environments. It can grow on paths, patios and in between concrete pavers. In drainpipes and on bricks, and across the soil of your flowerbeds to form a thick carpet of vegetation that strangles the plants underneath. It’s also essentially a giant sponge, absorbing huge amounts of water and keeping it in, which means it and anything it’s attached to will always remain damp. For flowerbeds, this means overwatered and drowned plants, and on hard surfaces, it means a permanent slip hazard. And because it retains so much water, when the temperature drops it freezes and then thaws, which can crack and pull apart your paving.
The problem is that moss can cause a lot of issues on hard surfaces. When it grows under paving slabs or similar surfaces, it can make them completely unstable. The root structures eat away at the motor and cause slabs to loosen, and because it’s so slick it can be a significant hazard in wet weather. It also spreads very quickly, so it can be difficult to get rid of once it takes hold. That’s why facilities managers need to take great care to stay on top of moss on their properties.
Why Jet Washing Isn’t The Answer
We speak to a lot of facilities managers who have been tackling Moss using a jet washer. while this might seem like a good idea on the surface, it’s going to cost them a lot of money in repairs before long. That’s because jet washers use a very powerful jet of water to force the moss away. this not only removes the protective finish from the paving, but it damages the mortar between them, causing your whole pathway to becoming unstable. And that’s a big health and safety issue too.
So How Do You Get Rid Of Moss?
If you have a moss problem, we record using a gentle approach to removal. After a jet washer, the most common method we see for moss removal is using chemicals, but honestly, these do more harm than good. Cleaners like bleach or herbicides may remove the visible moss, but they can’t get down to the roots to kill the plant itself, meaning the moss will grow back again and again. The runoff from using chemicals like this can also potentially kill your existing plants, as well as damage any structures nearby.
At Pod Landscapes, we use a unique moss removal system that’s new to the UK. It allows us to remove moss, debris and weeds from hard surfaces without the need for harsh chemicals or even water. Instead, we use a machine with a series of brushes with adjustable bristles to gently dislodge the moss at the root without damaging the paving surface. The system is perfect for use on block paving, concrete, tarmac, brick and stone sets, sports surfaces and even rubber play surfaces. It’s better for your business and the environment!
Since moss is an invasive plant, you may need regular cleaning to keep hard surfaces moss free. At Pod Landscapes we can provide moss removal as part of our monthly service package, so you never have to worry about your pathways again. Or, you can book us for a one-off moss removal service, if that’s all you need!
If you’d like to know more or book your free site visit, just get in touch with the team today.
