How To Remove Mold From Concrete Patio Like a Professional

Afraid of embarrassment, huh?

I know, I have been there too.

Suddenly some icky acquaintance of yours stops by and gives you that look after spotting the mold on the patio. It burns.

This sensation could be a reality pretty soon. Because summer is here no more and the mold spores are gonna be activated soon. You better be prepared.

Now, there are a lot of how to remove mold from concrete patio videos and documents online. But they are far from the complete solution. Most of them don’t direct you to the correct chemicals and measurements, don’t care about the surroundings and environment, and don’t tell you about the after-effects.

Here we have a complete guide about mold removal from concrete patios and more.

But first-

Do you need a professional?

Most probably, No.

Avoiding them is your best option because they can be as expensive as hell. But there could be situations when you need some professional help.

So, how are you gonna know if you are in that situation?

Follow the three simple rules below that will tell you if the situation is out of control-

Odor: Molds, especially black molds, have a distinct musty smell. In normal conditions, you are not gonna smell them unless you get really low to the ground. But if you can, then you know that you have to get serious.
RH level: DIY cleaners can’t do much if the relative humidity is above 60%.
Visual inspection: If the molds seem out of control, then it probably is.
Area of contamination: If the area contaminated is larger than you can handle (more than 10 square feet, for example), a professional might be the easy solution.
Health issues: For people who have severe respiratory problems dealing with mold can be a serious hazard.

In these circumstances, you might need to order specialized help.

Nothing to do mate, you should have cared for it earlier.

Choose a contractor who has experience in this field. Look for references. When you got yourself a professional, tell them to follow the guidelines of ACGIH or EPA’s mold remediation in schools and commercial buildings.

Table of Contents

How to Remove mold from concrete patio

Well, you know the basics. Apply chemical, scrub, and rinse.

But you aren’t here for general knowledge. Yes, the key steps are still the same. Nevertheless, you will have much other intel to get rid of mold on concrete patio.

Here we go-

Clean the mold affected area

Lose dust and dirt in the cleaning area can make a huge mess when you apply the liquids. Use a vacuum cleaner. You can also use a wet and dry vac or an ash vacuum. However, the main point is to get dust deposits out from hard to reach places like crevices and cracks.

Prepare the solution for mold

We can divide the possible solutions for the job into two categories.

With bleach, and
Without bleach

We do not recommend bleach solutions. You should already know why. Yet you can go down this page to have more information on bleach cleaning. Use bleach only when you have a terrible condition of black mold and can’t afford professional help.

Here are a few DIY solutions without using bleach.

Vinegar + Baking Soda: This is a cheap yet effective chemical compound that can quickly kill and remove 82% of mold species, including black mold. Vinegar is a mild acid. Use white distilled vinegar for best results. Do not use water with it.

Hydrogen Peroxide + Water: Use a concentration of 3% hydrogen peroxide with water. This anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral chemical can get you rid of almost all kinds of mold contamination.

Borax + Water: Borax might be the best chemical for this operation. Because it kills without harming the surrounds. This is your only hope if you have respiratory issues. Mix one cup of borax with one cup of water and shake it to blend it correctly. Thus you have your solution.

You might be thinking of what amount of mixture you should make. That depends on the condition of the contaminated area. Some surfaces need more liquid than others. So make more than you think it would take.

Purchasing anti-microbial agents from the store is also a good idea. I would recommend Vital Oxide or Concrobium. The EPA and other private and public organizations certified these.

Apply the solution

No matter which solution you choose, the application process is the same. Use a spray or directly pour the solution on the concrete and let it rest for 15 minutes. This will allow the solution to kill the mold.

Scrub it hard to remove mold

This part is a little tiring. You will need a wire scrub for it.

I know it sounds horrible. But you have to go hands and knees entirely and scrub the hell out of the mold.

Rinse thoroughly

Lastly, use a hose to rinse the patio and have the first look of your twinkling concrete.

Job well done.

Caution

We all studied in school that fungi reproduce by blasting spores in the air. Some of those spores can be detrimental to your health. Moreover, if you have respiratory problems, you should not go anywhere near the contaminated area without proper protection.

Here is a list of protective gears you need for cleaning-

Protective goggles
Rubber gloves
Respirator

You can use a paper musk as a respirator, and regular gloves will do for harmless chemicals that we have suggested.

It’s another story with bleach.

What If I want to use bleach?

Well, bleach does the job quickly and with less hardship. That is the primary reason many people use and recommend it. We always recommend to avoid them. But there are some of you out there who will use it anyway.

The process of using bleach is identical to what we described above for other chemicals. The difference is that you are trading the hard work with protection and risk.

Here is a list of instructions that is unique to bleach solution-

Get heavy-duty gloves that extend to your forearm. PVC, polyurethane, neoprene, nitrile, and rubber are the recommended materials for gloves.
A minimum of N-95 respirator is needed
Both the goggles and respirator needs to fit your face well
Prepare a black bag to dispose of the contaminated residue
Move your furniture and plants to another place while cleaning
Never mix ammonia with bleach

Again we urge you not to use bleach.

Avoiding molds in the first place

Molds need three things to flourish.

Water
Humidity
Food source (wood, concrete, etc.)

Cut one of these three, and you have a mold-free situation. Make sure that there are no water deposits in your patio. Keep it clean and dry.

Humidity should be less than 60%. You can’t do much about it outdoors. However, your patio should have a sufficient supply of sunlight. Mold can form underneath your furniture. Change their places once in a while.

Cleaning frequency

It depends on the area you are living in. Some places might be ok with one segment a year before fall starts. Others might need cleaning every weekend. So there is no fixed schedule.

Final words

I know, that was a lot.

But if you want to know about how to remove mold from concrete patio, this is your goto guide. You can quit surfing the net and use this guide right away. For more help, you can go through EPA’s guidelines.

Yep, we are fighting mold on the federal level.

Best Ways To Clean Mold From Concrete Patio-Simple Easy Steps