Removing green deposits

Properties and effect

Green deposits are unwanted in most situations. They give a neglected and untended appearance to, for example, a driveway, garden or the side of a house.

Besides damaging the appearance, algea and moss growth can damage the surfaces they live on. Algea and moss are able to retain moisture and will keep growing undisturbed. In the long-term this will make damage the surface, making it more porous. A porous surface is able to hold even more moisture and create an even more ideal situation for new growth. Left untreated, algea and moss growth is able to damage a surface beyond repair.

Algea and moss in gardens, on wood, tiles or balconies will cause a serious slip- and fall risk during rainy periods.

Want to know more about how algea and moss damages a surface?

Cure and prevent

It is essential that green deposits are stopped at the source. As we know, green deposits start with algea growth. Removing these algea will prevent moss to grow, preventing daamage to the surface. Once mosses have started to grow, removing the underlying algea is difficult.

There are various methods for removing green deposits/algea. Not every method is effective, and some can even cause more problems in the long-term.

Two common do-it-yourself algea removers are made using soda and water or ammonia and water. These mixtures may be easy and cheap, but they are not very effective.

Green deposits can also be removed using high-pressure water. Removing algea and moss using high pressure may seem very effective, but will make the underlying surface rough and porous. Making it an even more ideal surface for algea, causing them to come back faster, and stronger.

Lastly there are professional algea removers. These chemical mixtures are often based on didecyldimethylamonniumchloride (a quaternary ammonium salt) and surfactants. MAVRO ALGEN REMOVER is an example of a professional algea remover. This (and related) products will effectively remover algea and leave an invisible residue that protects the surface from new algea growth.

Even after using a professional algea remover such a ALGEN REMOVER, green deposits will come back after a while. Luckily there is a way to prevent algea growth completely. An excellent method for preventing algea growth is by making the surface hydrofobic. This is done using an impregnating/hydrofobing agent such as MAVROSEAL WB or FLOORGUARD (for floors and walls respectively). Treating surfaces with these products will make them fully water-proof for >5 years. A hydrofobic surface will therefore remain dry, even during cold and wet seasons. Algea and moss will not be able to grow and your surfaces will remain clean.

Interested in impregnating/hydrofobing your surfaces?