ᐅ Which natural stone slabs are less prone to moss growth and discoloration?
Created on: 27 Aug 2021 06:47
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sub-xero
Hello everyone,
In a few months, I will be installing the patio slabs and garden paths. I really like light-colored stone. From my experience, porous stones (such as sandstone) tend to develop a lot of algae and moss over the years, especially in shaded areas. New sandstone looks great when fresh, but unless you regularly use a pressure washer, it won’t stay that way for long.
Can anyone recommend types of stone that are less prone to algae growth (for example, granite or similar)? Are there light-colored stone varieties suitable for this?
P.S.: I know the stone can be sealed, but that’s too much effort for me, especially since the sealing needs to be renewed regularly.
In a few months, I will be installing the patio slabs and garden paths. I really like light-colored stone. From my experience, porous stones (such as sandstone) tend to develop a lot of algae and moss over the years, especially in shaded areas. New sandstone looks great when fresh, but unless you regularly use a pressure washer, it won’t stay that way for long.
Can anyone recommend types of stone that are less prone to algae growth (for example, granite or similar)? Are there light-colored stone varieties suitable for this?
P.S.: I know the stone can be sealed, but that’s too much effort for me, especially since the sealing needs to be renewed regularly.
M
Myrna_Loy31 Aug 2021 17:05No. If it is non-slip, meaning not highly polished, then something will simply grow on it. That’s how it is.
I believe the idea that frequent cleaning with high pressure causes moss to return faster is a misunderstanding. If moss was already present, it does tend to come back more quickly, that’s true.
If a stone is altered by the high-pressure cleaning and pores open up, that might be correct, but otherwise, complete removal of moss is especially important, since it can regrow from remaining plant parts (which can hold on more easily in porous materials than in sealed ones).
A very effective enemy of moss is dryness...
If a stone is altered by the high-pressure cleaning and pores open up, that might be correct, but otherwise, complete removal of moss is especially important, since it can regrow from remaining plant parts (which can hold on more easily in porous materials than in sealed ones).
A very effective enemy of moss is dryness...
Schimi17911 Sep 2021 08:06If necessary, a water-repellent impregnation could also help counteract the issue. The basic idea is that due to the hydrophobic effect, less water remains in the substrate, which at least hinders and delays growth. This works quite well on building facades, although each case should be considered individually. Often, a kind of self-cleaning effect can be observed here.
For example, we treated our wall with a hydrophobic coating so that water simply beads off. The frost/thaw resistance should also improve significantly. This works excellently on a brick facade as well 🙂
However, it can become problematic if water remains on the surface due to the hydrophobic treatment and then freezes in winter.
For example, we treated our wall with a hydrophobic coating so that water simply beads off. The frost/thaw resistance should also improve significantly. This works excellently on a brick facade as well 🙂
However, it can become problematic if water remains on the surface due to the hydrophobic treatment and then freezes in winter.
For those interested: I have now decided on granite and gneiss. Both types of stone are dense and non-porous, making them generally less prone to moss and algae growth. A professional advised against cleaning with a pressure washer. It is believed that this may actually encourage algae growth. Sealing is also not particularly effective, as the effect does not last long and the sealing often needs to be reapplied (about once a year).
We have 80x80x5 stone slabs.
Details:
Color: Bianco, fine, homogeneous surface, thermally sealed finish with natural stone grains of matching color and UV-resistant pigments, INTRACLEAN for a dirt-repellent surface.
What is the best way to clean these if a pressure washer is not allowed?
Also, we have some greenish spots between the joints in front of the house. Is it enough to remove these and then, if necessary, apply a joint sealant?
Details:
Color: Bianco, fine, homogeneous surface, thermally sealed finish with natural stone grains of matching color and UV-resistant pigments, INTRACLEAN for a dirt-repellent surface.
What is the best way to clean these if a pressure washer is not allowed?
Also, we have some greenish spots between the joints in front of the house. Is it enough to remove these and then, if necessary, apply a joint sealant?
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