Scraping out the joints is probably the most laborious job when cleaning sidewalks and patios. For better or worse, you have to get on your knees. How nice it would be to prevent moss from growing in joints.
How can you prevent moss from forming in joints?
To prevent moss in joints, terrace or concrete surfaces can be treated with sealing or impregnation. Sealant forms an impermeable film while waterproofing penetrates the pores. Weedkillers are also effective, but harmful to the environment.
There are various ways to protect patio areas or concrete slabs from moss growth. You can impregnate or seal the surfaces. However, the joints are not protected or only slightly protected. An effective way to prevent moss in joints is to use a weed killer. However, this measure has to be carried out again and again and puts a strain on the environment.
What is the difference between sealing and waterproofing?
A sealant should form an impermeable film on the treated area and seal it completely. This makes the surface shine and is particularly easy to clean. If the sealant gets into the joints, then at least less moss and weeds grow there; narrow joints can even be completely sealed. However, this treatment may make concrete more sensitive to frost.
In contrast to sealing, impregnating agents penetrate into the pores of the stone or concrete slabs but do not form an impermeable film. They are permeable to moisture but repel dirt. Accordingly, they are not as effective in joints as a sealant.
How do I remove moss from joints?
Without sealing, impregnation or weed removers, sooner or later moss will grow in your joints. So that your knees don't hurt, or at least not too much, after scratching, you should use a knee pillow.
You can get this cushion for little money online or in gardening stores, as well as special joint scrapers (€10.00 on Amazon) that make it easier for you to remove moss and weeds and also remove the roots (at least partially).. Alternatively, you can of course also scrape out your joints with an old knife.
The most important things in brief:
- Sealing: complete sealing of the area
- Impregnation: penetrates pores, no impermeable film
- apply as early as possible
- Be sure to clean the joints beforehand
- Weed killers help, but are not necessarily environmentally friendly
Tip
Use weed killers as little as possible and only sparingly, so you not only protect the living creatures in your garden.
