Blacktop has many typical monikers, including asphalt, hot mix asphalt, asphalt concrete, macadam, tarmac and bituminous concrete. The material is usually employed where we need a tough, smooth driving surface. Although blacktop is strong and durable, it is susceptible to moss development in moist shaded areas. Over just an unattractive nuisance, moss gets slimy and slippery when wet and presents a safety problem. It is possible to employ elbow grease and everyday household items to eliminate moss on the blacktop with a pressure washer.
Sweep dirt and debris in the blacktop with a stiff broom. Cover neighboring plants using plastic garbage bags to protect them from damage.
Combine 1 cup of household bleach with 1 gallon of water in a huge bucket. Stir in 1 cup of liquid dish or laundry detergent. Douse tiny patches of moss using the solution. Apply it generously to bigger areas with a sprayer. Permit the bleach mixture to set for five or more minutes to kill the moss.
Spray the moss from the blacktop using the garden hose. Scrub stubborn patches using a stiff-bristle brush or lift them off using a wide, flat scraper, if needed. These plants have no roots so that the green carpets will lift easily.
Wash the blacktop thoroughly using the garden hose. Flood the area generously. Bleach therapy may stay effective against recurring moss for as much as a year.
Prune trees, shrubs and ornamentals back to allow as much sunlight as possible to shine on blacktop. Keep grass and plants bordering the area trimmed short to reduce shading along the edges. Moss is a shade-loving plant that doesn’t thrive in sunny conditions.
Fix lawn sprinklers to keep them from watering the blacktop. Moss grows best with lots of moisture. Avoid splashing the blacktop once you hand water neighboring planting areas.