Algea on the Drive

[ronk]

I’ve got a North facing garage and the Tarmac drive is covered in algae where it is heavily shaded.

Has anyone found a successful method of removing the green carpet and preventing it’s early return?

Ive heard folk say a good dousing of Domestos does the trick?

 

[Smartbear]

Pressure washer should get most of it off, it’s probably going to be recurring though?
Rob

 

[ronk]

Ive found it to be fairly tenacious stuff and I would like to prevent (or at least slow down) it’s return.

It seems the stuff lurks in all the nooks and crannies of the non smooth tarmac I was even contemplating block paving the area!

 

[buzyg]

Demestos may well do the trick.

 

[Chippie]

you could try Jayes fluid, that seems to kill everything, although it can leave a strong smell for a few days/weeks

 

[Jembo]

Root out by Dax products is now sold again as a compost accelerator post Brexit & used to be the nos 1 gardeners weed & stump remover product.

Plants are fooled into thinking it’s food & take it straight to the roots - most importantly, after 3 months it breaks down into harmless components.

It was banned by the EU because Dax, the UK firm, couldn’t afford all the expensive testing for trials demanded by the legislation.

So, just use it as a compost accelerator

 

[Jembo]

you could try Jayes fluid, that seems to kill everything, although it can leave a strong smell for a few days/weeks

This is demonic highly toxic stuff… think it’ll also stain the drive even if watered down

 

[sp3ctre]

Pressure washer should get most of it off, it’s probably going to be recurring though?
Rob

I have the same issue... pressure washer works but breaks up the surface of the tarmac.

 

[Chris_D]

Cheapest most effective solution is cleaning vinegar in a spray bottle and sprayed only when the surface is dry. Leave and re-apply over 5 days.
Been doing this for years on my roof terrace.
You'll thank me later.

 

[Chippie]

you could try Jayes fluid, that seems to kill everything, although it can leave a strong smell for a few days/weeks

This is demonic highly toxic stuff… think it’ll also stain the drive even if watered down

I’ve used it watered on my block paving before with no issues except for the sell

 

[ronk]

Cheapest most effective solution is cleaning vinegar in a spray bottle and sprayed only when the surface is dry. Leave and re-apply over 5 days.
Been doing this for years on my roof terrace.
You'll thank me later.

I haven’t heard the term “cleaning vinegar “ ?

 

[Jembo]

Maybe if you add a bit of each solution above in one bottle & sell it as ‘Ronk’s Special Weeding Sauce’, you could be onto a winner

 

[Scubaregs]

I find my Fiancée works wonders, though does need copious rum and chocolate refills and the whining noise is a bit off putting.

There are products out there that really work, but seem to be industrial. My work has extensive grounds that get sprayed and you never see any growth, guy doing the spraying just laughed when I asked what it was and where I could buy it.

 

[Chris_D]

Cheapest most effective solution is cleaning vinegar in a spray bottle and sprayed only when the surface is dry. Leave and re-apply over 5 days.
Been doing this for years on my roof terrace.
You'll thank me later.

I haven’t heard the term “cleaning vinegar “ ?

But you are aware that there is an action commonly referred to as 'cleaning' and there is a liquid commonly referred to as 'vinegar' right?
:roll:

 

[Chris_D]

Cheapest most effective solution is cleaning vinegar in a spray bottle and sprayed only when the surface is dry. Leave and re-apply over 5 days.
Been doing this for years on my roof terrace.
You'll thank me later.

I haven’t heard the term “cleaning vinegar “ ?

But you are aware that there is an action commonly referred to as 'cleaning' and there is a liquid commonly referred to as 'vinegar' right?
:roll:

edit: ok, i've been living away in NL for too long obviously. 'White vinegar' you can make it yourself from acetic acid. just mix with water 1:20.

 

[buzyg]

Cheapest most effective solution is cleaning vinegar in a spray bottle and sprayed only when the surface is dry. Leave and re-apply over 5 days.
Been doing this for years on my roof terrace.
You'll thank me later.

Keeps the ants off too. I forgot, but that is what we use on the barbie patio.

 

[Pondy]

White vinegar is a good shout. It is as cheap as chips but doesn't smell like them. Diluted it should do the trick.

I would be wary of using anything bleach-based, as it could do just that to your tarmac.

Just don't bother with any of these 'driveway and patio' cleaners. They are just very, very watered down acid.

 

[IRD]

Ive found it to be fairly tenacious stuff and I would like to prevent (or at least slow down) it’s return.

It seems the stuff lurks in all the nooks and crannies of the non smooth tarmac I was even contemplating block paving the area!

We have block paving and the area that is in the shade develops moss between the blocks. Every Summer I have to spray and clean it out from the crevices. So I don’t think you would be that much better off. Fortunately the shaded area on our drive isn’t that big but it is a pain to do.

 

[Zulu4]

Copper Sulphate.

Just a fairly weak solution of it will kill all algae and moss on contact. Cheap too.

(It is also used in swimming pools to kill algae)

 

[IRD]

Copper Sulphate.

Just a fairly weak solution of it will kill all algae and moss on contact. Cheap too.

(It is also used in swimming pools to kill algae)

Interested in this Martin. Our drive is in need of attention after the winter. Where do you buy this stuff?