How To Clean Moss Off Brick

Well, it is a week before your big party and you are taking notes of everything that should be looking perfect for your guests. You step outside and take a look at the unsightly brick patio and realize that there is a lot of necessary cleaning. How do I clean moss off brick? You can hire a professional or you can use various environmentally friendly chemicals and a pressure washer.

Let’s take a look at the best way to manage moss on our brick home or patio.

Pressure washing brick

How to Clean Moss Off Brick

The most effective way to clean brick is by using household chemicals and water (bleach solution is also recommended but not eco-friendly). Mixing equal parts vinegar and equal parts of water is the safest and most eco-friendly option. You can add this mixture to the soap dispenser of your pressure or power washer and generously apply the mixture onto the brick surfaces. You will want to let the mixture sit and soak in for about 15 to 20 minutes. Once the mixture has a chance to soak in, you will take your pressure or power washer and start washing away the moss with high pressure.

The Best Way To Clean Other Surfaces

Believe it or not, moss can grow on a variety of solid surfaces. In most cases, you can keep a spray bottle with a bleach and water mixture and spray the areas affected as needed. Then use a scrub brush to remove the moss. This is very effective and easy to do. Ensure that anytime you are using a bleach product that it is away from children or pets. You wouldn’t want any toxic chemicals getting to them. Removal of moss from your hardscaping is best when done regularly. This will prevent the moss from taking over and creating a larger project for you. Pressure washing from time to time and using an eco-friendly vinegar and water mixture is a great way to maintain your hardscape.

A lot of moss on a brick wall

Top Tips For Keeping Moss Off Brick

Let’s take a look at the top tips that we can do to keep moss free and clear from our brick surfaces:

Sunlight

Keeping your brick patio exposed to sunlight is a great way to ensure moss will not grow there. Moss does not like the sunlight and will not grow in lighted areas. Moss prefers dark and damp places.

Irrigation

Keep an eye on your irrigation. If you have leaks and need to adjust the spray, do so accordingly. Irrigation can soak certain areas and promote moss growth at that time.

Boiling Water

This is a great eco-friendly way of combating moss growth on your hardscape. Pouring boiling water onto the moss will control the growth. In addition, you will need to follow that up with a good scrubbing to remove the growth.

Vinegar

As stated above, it is great to use half parts water and half parts vinegar to treat and kill the moss. After this mixture is applied, a good scrubbing or pressure washing is recommended to clean moss off the brick.

Power Washing

Power washing your hard surfaces every month will allow you to keep those areas looking clean and brand new. It is also recommended that you seal your pavers after you power wash them for long-lasting maintenance.

Baking Soda

Pour the baking soda directly onto the moss and let it sit overnight. Then, brush the moss areas that are treated to remove the baking soda and follow up with a proper scrubbing.

As A Last Resort

Bleach

If you use bleach, let it sit for 15 minutes. Bleach can only be used in a mixture with water and never poured directly onto the surface.

Commercial Moss Killer

These products are not safe in many aspects. The products should only be considered in extreme circumstances and used as an absolute last resort. 

Cost to Clean Moss Off Brick

The average cost to remove moss from brick is $0.58 to $1.00 per square foot. You will also pay a labor charge for a professional pressure washing business to come out to complete this project for you. This service can cost $45 to $65 per hour depending on the company. Some companies will also just charge a flat fee of $90-$120 just to pressure wash your patio, driveway, and walls.

Other Maintenance Needs

While you are working towards the removal of moss from your brick patio or walls, it is a great time to look at mold inside your home. Understanding how to stop mold growth in your home is very important. Preventative maintenance is key in this area of home maintenance.

Understanding where mold and moss can grow is also an important part of preventative home maintenance. Just because your brick is growing moss or mold does not mean that your block will be immune to either. Keep in mind that moss and mold like damp, cool places to intrude upon. Mold growing on the concrete block is an important topic to also understand.

Moss can also grow on a roof and this needs to be taken care of. However, you don’t want to use a power washer as it will damage the shingles.

Lastly, take a look at your roof drainage. Determine whether or not you have a clogged gutter system or if the roof scupper is disconnected and not working properly. If the roof runoff is not flowing to where it should, you could end up with pooling of water and the ability for moss to grow.

Moss on Block

When Do I Call A Professional

Removing moss from brick or block walls or patios is a project that can be easily done by the homeowner. However, if you do not own a pressure washer this project can be daunting. Anytime that you do not own the proper tools and equipment or simply do not have the time, it is best to call a professional. Mixing the wrong chemicals or accidentally using the wrong pressure rating can cause damage to your brick and even cause health issues. For those reasons, it is a great idea to call a professional to assist you with this project.

Conclusion

Many mosses are very successful at growing on a brick when it is damp and dark. You notice this happening especially on brick paver patios and brick walls when the moss is shielded from the sunlight. If you have a project that requires the removal of moss from your brick areas, it is always a good idea to consult a professional power washing company or get a home inspection from your local home inspection team. This allows you to get an idea of the moss in a concentrated area. Home Inspection Geeks can take a look at your exterior cleaning needs when we come out for a home inspection in the Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties, IL.

What Is A Pier And Beam Foundation

When searching for a home have you ever asked wondered what type of foundation exists for the home that you would like to purchase? Seeing as how there are a few different types of foundations, this might be a great question to consider asking. Knowing if the home is a slab foundation or a pier and beam foundation can determine whether or not you want to purchase the home. What is a pier and beam foundation you ask? Well, it is an alternative to a slab or a basement foundation. Typically, it consists of crawl space underneath the home.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons and what’s involved with a pier and beam foundation.

Sample concrete pier and beam structure

Pier And Beam Foundation Pros

  • The home is less likely to flood because of elevation.
  • In addition to the reduced flooding possibility, you have easier access to plumbing and electrical lines underneath the home. This is because a crawlspace is created by the elevated foundation.
  • You will also note that the pier and beam foundation repair is easier and can be less expensive as compared to a concrete slab foundation.
  • Lastly, a pier and beam home can be more easily relocated if necessary.
Concrete pier and beam foundation sample

Pier And Beam Foundation Cons

There are some obvious cons and not so obvious cons to a pier and beam foundation. Let’s take a look at the list:

  • Easier to have a pest or rodent infestation. They can nest under the home in the crawlspace.
  • Your floors will creek and make noises as there is less support underneath them. This is because there is more hollow space and no concrete slab.
  • You might run into a dampness issue. An under-layer is typically placed on the floor joists in between the beams and the floor itself. This will reduce dampness possibilities. Checking with a professional might be a good idea to see if you need to waterproof the basement.
  • The air rises so during cold months, you could see an increase in energy bills to keep the home warm.

All of these situations are highly likely depending on where you live and the weather conditions where you live.

How Much Will It Cost Me To Repair

Generally speaking, you are looking at a repair cost of $5,600 to $8,500 for damaged pier and beam foundations. This range is dependent upon the size of your home and the extent of the damage.

Slab Foundation

A slab foundation is different than a pier and beam. While the pier and beam foundation has a crawl space underneath, a slab foundation is made of concrete with no space. Also, a slab foundation is made of 4-6 inches of concrete and on top of a layer of sand for drainage.

Basement Foundation

This type of foundation allows for a basement in the home. Basement foundations are usually at least 7 feet high, the deepest of all foundations, and match the amount of square footage above it. The advantages are that it increases energy efficiency, a multi-purpose space, and families enjoy this living area in the home.

Other Maintenance Ideas

While you are having your crawlspace inspected, it is a great idea to have the crawlspace cleaned while the professional is under the home.

In addition to having your crawlspace cleaned, you will want to check the landscaping to keep water away from the house. Not sure what type of plants to put around the foundation of a house? Install plants that will keep water away from the home or remove plants that are accumulating under the home.

Conduct your HVAC maintenance so you can make sure that is functioning properly and not leaking water. If your home is older, the HVAC system could need replacing.  You will want to inspect the HVAC unit to determine the longevity of its remaining parts.

Pier and Beam foundation sample
Pier and Beam Foundation

When Should I Call A Professional

When it comes to the home foundation, consulting a licensed contractor and foundation repair company is important. Getting under your home’s crawlspace is not an easy task. If you need your flooring checked and to make sure that your crawlspace is free and clear of any issues, you will want a professional contractor to complete your inspection. In addition, there are various building codes for your state and you will want to ensure that those codes are followed. Here is the link for Illinois and if you live in another state, you can use the same site and just change the state.

Conclusion

It is highly recommended that you consult a licensed contractor to conduct any repairs or new installations needed on your pier and beam foundation system. This will save you time and money, as you might not know the state building code and more damage could be done. Lastly, they will be able to assess all of the potential damages and provide a great estimate as to the cost of repairs. Home Inspection Geeks in the Chicago, IL, and surrounding areas of Lake, Cook, and DuPage Counties can take a look at your crawlspace and pier and beam foundation during a home inspection.

Should I Drywall My Garage

People use the garage for a variety of things: storage, park cars, and some people turn it into a room that someone would live in or entertain in.  Whatever your plans are for the garage, should you drywall the garage or detached garage? Yes, if it is something you are interested in doing.

Let’s take a look at why this is important, why drywall a detached garage, what to do when the drywall is up, using plywood, starting with an unfinished garage, maintenance, and when to call a professional.

Why This is Important

Drywall is treated gypsum and used to finish walls and ceilings in a home. A material that is used in building modern homes, it is also used to convert the garage into a room to entertain or other uses.

Why Drywall a Detached Garage

Protects From Fire

Drywall is a great building matter that is highly resistant to fire so it is a great addition to garages.  Garages often have power tools in them, flammable materials, and also people who work on cars with products that could catch fire. Installing drywall would be a good idea to keep it a safe area.

Helps With Noise

Is there a lot of noise that comes from the garage such as people watching a live football game on TV, playing foosball, or your child has a rock band that uses the garage?  The drywall will help reduce the noise that is heard.

Visibility and Lighting

Visibility and Lighting

The white color of drywall shows up nicely in the garage as it maximizes the lighting and reflects well in the room.

Resell of the home

It is difficult to carry the drywall so you need others to help.  It is heavy but once you get it installed, it looks great!  Many buyers like to see drywall on the detached garage as they can use the room for various activities and they don’t have to spend the time doing it themselves!

Make An Old Garage Look New

Some people will drywall the garage because it is old and they don’t want to replace it.  This gives the area a new look and hides the cosmetic issues.

The Drywall is Up, What Now

Using a Stud Finder

Once you are done installing the drywall, you can use a stud finder to find the wall stud.  You will need this wall stud (spaced 16-24 inches apart) to safely hang items.  You cannot hang items in the hollow drywall, they will fall down.  If you don’t have a stud finder, you can knock on the wall to find the studs.

Weight to Hang on the Walls

You can hang up to various weights on the wall.  How much weight can drywall hold? Over 100 pounds!  For example, if you want to hang your prized NFL jerseys, you can use a screw and an anchor to put into the stud and to provide the support for up to 20 pounds.  However, if you were hanging a shelf with football helmets on it, you can hang up to 100 pounds with #4 or larger screws.  Depending on what you are hanging is the size of the screws or anchors that you need.

Plywood is another choice

Plywood is Another Choice

Some people find that using plywood is better.  This is because it is stronger and better for tools and storing equipment. It is also easier to hang than drywall because it is not as heavy. Lastly, you can drill right into it and don’t need to look for studs like you do with drywall.  Some like the look of the plywood while some like drywall. However, plywood is not fire-rated and an attached garage should always be protected with fire-rated materials.

Starting With an Unfinished Garage

Make sure the garage is ready and has the following:

  1. Sometimes there may not be enough wall studs to drywall.  Adding the blocks will be necessary so you have the support needed.

2. If you plan to hang lights or bicycle hooks, you will need to add nail blocking.

3. If you have an attic hatch, make sure you add an opening to the drywall so you can access it and the attic ladder.

4. Are you adding skylights or a window AC unit? Cut out a space in the drywall to do this.

Adding or Moving Wires in the Garage

If you are adding wires and electric, consult a professional to help with this. Safety should be a priority.

Moving Wires

You will probably need to move wires to other places.  If you aren’t sure how to do this safely, contact a professional.

Ventilate the Garage

You want your garage to have air that flows freely and stays cool. Having enough attic and roof vents is important.  The rule is total of 1 sq. ft. (144 sq. in.) of vent opening per 300 sq. ft. of attic divided between the soffit and roof vents.  Here are some great instructions about how to insulate the walls.

Add Insulation

After the drywall is done, blowing in insulation is the next step.  You can buy this at a local hardware store and contact a professional if you need help.

Weather strip doors and windows

Weather Strip Doors and Windows

Make sure there are no drafts from the windows or doors in the garage. Installing weather stripping is important so you can keep your air and heating bills low. The garage can experience heat or air loss so putting weather-stripping on the door is a good idea. Then drywall is the last part.  You may want to rent a drywall lift that will allow you to put the drywall on the walls and the ceilings.  It will make your job easier.

Maintenance in the Garage

1. If you have recessed lighting or skylights, make sure there is enough sealant around them so air is not escaping.

2. A garage door opener should last about 10 to 15 years, while a garage door should last 15-30 years with proper maintenance. 

3. Keeping the rollers, door tracks and springs lubricated, garage door balanced, and door sensitivity adjusted are great ways to get the most amount of years out of the garage door and openers.

4. Clean window ac unit – often a window AC unit must be added to a garage.  Maintaining this is important.  There are ways you can clean the window AC unit and do this with or without removing it from the window.  Additionally, cleaning the filter, coils, fins, pan, and fan are all-important.

Don't overload the circuit

5. Don’t overload the circuit- make sure that you don’t have a lot of electrical plugs all plugged into the same place.  The recommended amount is not more than 1440 watts plugged in at one time on a 15-amp circuit.  If you overload the circuit, it can start an electrical fire.  Also, make sure you have a fire extinguisher in the garage in case there are any issues.

When to Call a Professional

If you want to add outlets and lights or a 20-amp circuit and add in wires, you need to have it inspected before dry walling.  As mentioned above, wires and electricity can be dangerous.  Calling a professional to install the drywall for you or to help with making sure your garage is safe is also a great idea.

Conclusion

Many people think of drywall as a building material in the walls but don’t realize that it is also used for sprucing up a detached garage.  We can look at your detached garage when conducting a home inspection in Chicago. 

Questions about your detached garage or need our services?  Comment below!