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Bettesworth Construction
DIY construction

5 Simple Ways to Remove Moss From Your Pavers

The safest way to remove moss from pavers is to scrape and brush it away before using mild soap, controlled pressure washing, or a material-approved treatment. Learn how to protect pavers and joints, re-sand after cleaning, and prevent moss from returning.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 17 min read
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The safest way to remove moss from most pavers is to scrape and brush it away first, then rinse with a hose. Use mild dish soap for light growth, and reserve pressure washing, vinegar, bleach, or commercial treatments for situations where the gentler method is not enough. Always identify the paver and joint material first: concrete, brick, natural stone, porcelain, sealed pavers, polymeric sand, and permeable systems do not all tolerate the same cleaners or water pressure.

Moss, algae, and lichen often return because the surface stays damp, shaded, dirty, or poorly drained. Removing the growth is only half the job; restoring eroded joints and correcting the moisture or drainage problem is what makes the result last.

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Before you begin: identify the growth, paver, and joints

Is it really moss?

Homeowners commonly call several types of growth “moss,” but the distinction matters when choosing a chemical treatment:

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  • Moss is usually soft, leafy, cushion-like, or mat-forming. It has no true roots, so it can often be lifted mechanically, although rhizoids, soil, and debris can anchor it in paver joints.
  • Algae is often a thin green, black, or slimy film.
  • Lichen is usually crusty and firmly attached, with gray-green, orange, or pale coloring.

The cleaning process overlaps, but a product labeled as a general cleaner is not automatically a moss, algae, or lichen killer. Pesticidal claims and labeling are regulated separately from ordinary cleaning claims. See the University of California IPM guide on identifying algae, lichens, and mosses and the EPA’s explanation of when a cleaning product is considered a pesticide.

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Regardless of what the growth is called, moss, algae, and lichen can make a patio, walkway, or driveway slippery. Treat a green or black film as a safety issue rather than ordinary dirt.

Check these details before applying anything

  • Identify the paver: concrete, clay brick, natural stone, porcelain, or another material.
  • Determine whether it is sealed or has a special surface finish.
  • Identify the joint material: ordinary sand, polymeric sand, mortar, or open aggregate in a permeable-paver system.
  • Find out whether the pavers are new or were recently re-sanded.
  • Locate nearby flowers, shrubs, lawns, ponds, pools, storm drains, streets, and downspouts.
  • Read the paver, joint-sand, cleaner, and pesticide labels before mixing or applying anything.
  • Test every cleaner and pressure setting on an inconspicuous area. Let the test area dry before judging discoloration or surface damage.

Manufacturer instructions take priority over a generic recipe. For example, Belgard distinguishes between cleaning requirements for concrete and porcelain, while Techo-Bloc restricts certain bleach solutions on natural stone and Klean-Bloc products.

Which moss-removal method should you use?

Situation Best first choice Possible escalation Main risk
Small patch near flowers or shrubs Scrape and nylon-brush Mild soap and water Labor
Unknown natural stone Manual cleaning Stone-supplier-approved cleaner Etching or discoloration
Light surface film Soap, brush, and hose Controlled low-pressure rinse Slippery residue if poorly rinsed
Large concrete patio or walkway Pre-scrape, then low-pressure cleaning Labeled moss or algae treatment Joint-sand washout
Moss concentrated in joints Joint tool and hand removal Spot treatment, then re-sanding Loss of joint material
Permeable pavers Brush and preserve the specified aggregate Installer-approved cleaning Clogged or destabilized joints
Heavy, recurring growth Correct moisture and shade problems Registered treatment or professional cleaning Recurrence if site conditions remain

1. Scrape and scrub the moss off by hand

Best for: Small patches, moss growing between pavers, areas near plants, and natural stone whose composition or finish is unknown.

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This is the lowest-chemical-risk method and the best starting point for nearly any paver system. It physically removes the growth but does not kill hidden spores or correct the damp conditions that caused it.

What you need

  • Outdoor broom or leaf blower
  • Plastic scraper, putty knife, or narrow joint-cleaning tool
  • Stiff nylon brush or stiff-bristle broom
  • Garden hose with a controlled spray nozzle
  • Bucket, tarp, or dustpan for collecting loosened moss and soil

Steps

  1. Sweep or blow away leaves, grit, and loose soil. Pull ordinary weeds separately so they are not confused with moss.
  2. Use a plastic scraper or narrow joint tool to lift thick mats from the paver faces and joints. Work along the joint rather than gouging the edges of the pavers.
  3. Scrub remaining growth with a stiff nylon brush or stiff-bristle broom. A nylon brush is less likely to scratch or damage the surface than a wire brush.
  4. Rinse the area with a garden hose, using enough water to remove residue without eroding the joints.
  5. Collect loosened moss, soil, and debris instead of washing the solids into a planting bed or storm drain.
  6. After the surface dries, inspect the joints for low or missing sand.

University of Maryland Extension notes that moss is generally easy to dislodge mechanically. Unilock also cautions against wire brushes because loose wire can promote rust and damage the surface; its maintenance guidance favors appropriate nylon or soft-bristle tools.

Trade-offs

  • Advantage: Minimal chemical exposure and little risk of chemical discoloration when the correct tools are used.
  • Disadvantage: It takes the most labor and may not reach growth embedded in soil-filled joints.
  • Follow-up: Replace joint material if scraping has left gaps or loosened pavers.

2. Use mild dish soap, water, and a stiff brush

Best for: Light moss, algae film, surface grime, and growth that is not deeply embedded.

Soap and water primarily loosens and cleans; it should not automatically be described as a long-term moss-killing treatment. It is a reasonable next step when hand brushing alone is not enough and stronger products could threaten plants or sensitive stone.

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Unilock publishes a manufacturer-specific example of 20% dish soap and 80% water, followed by a low-power rinse. Its FAQ recommends keeping the spray nozzle at about a 30-degree angle and approximately 12 inches away, using a fan setting. This is not a universal formula for every brand or paver material, so check your own manufacturer’s instructions first.

Steps

  1. Sweep the pavers clean of abrasive grit and loose debris.
  2. Mix and apply the diluted soap solution to a manageable section. Avoid allowing it to run into nearby planting beds or water.
  3. Let it soak for approximately five minutes only if the paver manufacturer’s instructions permit that contact time. Do not allow the section to dry with soap on it.
  4. Scrub with a stiff nylon brush or broom, paying particular attention to joints.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with a hose or carefully controlled low-pressure fan spray.
  6. Repeat on stubborn areas, then allow the pavers to dry and inspect the joints.

Rinse away all residue. Soap left on the surface can attract dirt or leave the walking surface slick. For manufacturer-specific cleaning and seasonal maintenance information, see Unilock’s FAQ and summer paver-maintenance guidance.

3. Use a low-pressure pressure washer carefully

Best for: A large patio, walkway, or driveway where moss and grime cover a broad area, especially after thick growth has been scraped loose.

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Pressure washing can remove moss quickly, but it is also the method most likely to wash out joint sand, weaken polymeric sand, erode mortar, expose aggregate, or damage a paver finish. Belgard warns that excessive force can expose the aggregate beneath a paver’s surface. Treat pressure washing as controlled cleaning, not as a contest to see how much pressure the machine can produce.

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Controlled operating procedure

  1. Sweep away loose grit and debris that could be driven into the surface.
  2. Test the machine in an inconspicuous area. Let the test dry and check both the paver surface and the joint material.
  3. Start with the lowest effective pressure and increase it only if necessary and permitted by the manufacturer.
  4. Use a broad fan nozzle rather than a narrow concentrated jet.
  5. Hold the lance at roughly a 30- to 45-degree angle, not straight down into the pavers or joints.
  6. Keep the nozzle approximately 8 to 12 inches from the surface unless the paver manufacturer specifies another distance. Marshalls recommends at least 8 inches; Unilock gives an example of about 12 inches and a 30-degree angle.
  7. Keep the wand moving. Do not dwell on one paver, edge, or joint.
  8. Spray diagonally across the joints instead of directly into them.
  9. When finished, allow the area to dry fully and inspect for missing or displaced joint material.
  10. Re-sand with the same type of joint material if cleaning removed sand.

See Marshalls’ technical cleaning guidance and Unilock’s pressure-washing recommendations for the importance of test areas, distance, angle, and joint protection.

Important material limits

  • Do not start with a turbo or rotary nozzle unless the paver manufacturer specifically permits it.
  • Use particular caution on soft or weathered natural stone, old clay brick, damaged mortar, and recently installed polymeric sand.
  • Belgard specifies a maximum of 1,600 psi for its applicable porcelain pavers. That is a product-specific limit, not a universally safe setting for all porcelain or all pavers. See Belgard’s porcelain-paver guidance.
  • Porcelain may tolerate pressure washing better than some materials, but its joint system can still be damaged.
  • Do not pressure wash a permeable system in a way that removes its specified open-graded joint aggregate or drives debris into the infiltration path.

4. Try a vinegar spot treatment only when the material allows it

Best for: A small, isolated patch where the paver manufacturer permits acidic cleaners and nearby plants, soil, and water can be protected.

Vinegar may kill or loosen some growth, but it is not universally safe for pavers. Guidance differs: Oregon State University Extension recommends spraying vinegar on moss or algae, leaving it for 15 to 20 minutes, repeating as needed for up to a week, and washing the driveway afterward. Unilock gives a different contact-time example of 10 to 15 minutes. Follow the instructions for your specific paver rather than combining or extending these recommendations.

Belgard warns that high concentrations can damage some paving materials, and Techo-Bloc’s professional guidance does not recommend vinegar because acidity may damage or discolor pavers over time. Acid-sensitive natural stone is a particular concern. Ordinary kitchen vinegar is also different from horticultural vinegar: stronger acetic-acid products require more serious skin and eye precautions and are not automatically appropriate for hardscape cleaning.

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Steps

  1. Confirm with the paver supplier, installer, or care guide that vinegar is compatible with the material and finish.
  2. Test a hidden area and let it dry completely before judging color or texture changes.
  3. Apply vinegar only to the affected growth, avoiding plants, metal, natural stone of unknown composition, and sealed surfaces not approved for acid.
  4. Use the contact time specified by the applicable guidance. Do not let the solution dry on the pavers.
  5. Scrape or scrub away the dead or loosened growth.
  6. Rinse thoroughly and keep acidic runoff out of planting beds, ponds, pools, and storm drains.

Do not use vinegar-and-salt recipes. Salt can accumulate in soil and harm desirable plants, and vinegar can damage some paving materials. Also, never combine vinegar with bleach.

For the differing vinegar recommendations, see Oregon State University Extension, Unilock, and Belgard.

5. Use a manufacturer-approved bleach solution or an EPA-registered treatment

Best for: Heavy or recurring moss, algae, or similar growth that mechanical cleaning and mild soap do not adequately address.

There are two different choices here: a bleach solution specifically allowed by the paver manufacturer, or a product registered and labeled for moss or algae on hardscaping. Neither should be treated as a universal recipe.

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Option A: Manufacturer-approved bleach

Manufacturer instructions vary substantially. For example:

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  • Warm Tips: Simply spray some nontoxic moss cleaner on the area, let it soak in for the maximum effect, then scrape and clean the area in a snap will be easier
  • One Techo-Bloc care guide gives a 1:1 bleach-to-water solution for certain dry-cast products, while specifically excluding Klean-Bloc and natural-stone products.
  • Techo-Bloc’s customer-support FAQ gives a different example of five parts water to one part chlorine bleach for moss in joints.
  • Unilock recommends a half-water, half-bleach solution for some mold, moss, and algae maintenance.

Because these directions conflict, do not copy one ratio onto a different paver. Follow the paver manufacturer’s care guide and the bleach product label, test a hidden area, protect plants, and rinse as directed. Use the Techo-Bloc care guidance and your own product documentation as the controlling instructions.

Option B: An EPA-registered moss or algae treatment

A registered product labeled for hardscaping is preferable when you want a treatment with defined surface, weather, dilution, plant, water, pet, and re-entry instructions. The label controls; a product marketed as a general outdoor cleaner should not automatically be called a moss killer.

As examples of how specific these labels can be:

  • The EPA label for 30 SECONDS Spray & Walk Away, dated August 29, 2023, lists alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride at 9.9%. For a concentrate version, it specifies a 1:5 product-to-water dilution, a dry surface, and at least 12 hours without predicted rain. The label lists outdoor surfaces including concrete, masonry, pathways, and sealed brickwork. It says visible decay may take a week or more and prohibits discharge into lakes, streams, or stormwater systems. Read the complete EPA label before use.
  • An EPA granular moss-killer master label dated January 20, 2026, lists pelargonic acid at 3.25% and includes hardscaping such as brick, stone, gravel, concrete, and asphalt. Its home-use directions specify 5 to 8 pounds per 500 square feet for existing growth and 2.5 pounds per 500 square feet for prevention, with no rain expected for 24 hours. Retail products and state registrations may differ, so use the label on the product actually purchased; see the EPA label.

These examples illustrate why “pet-safe,” “plant-safe,” “natural,” and “works on all pavers” are too broad. Keep people and animals off the surface for the label’s stated period, protect vegetation, observe weather restrictions, and prevent runoff to water or storm drains. A treatment may kill the growth without removing it immediately; brush, scrape, or rinse only when the label calls for it and when the paver and joint system can tolerate that follow-up.

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After cleaning: restore the joints before sealing

Removing the green growth is not the end of the repair. Scraping and pressure washing can remove joint material, and low or empty joints allow more soil, seeds, and moisture to collect. In some installations, eroded joints also contribute to loose or shifting pavers.

  1. Remove dead growth and residue. Chemical treatment may leave brown, gray, or dried material behind for days or weeks. Do not assume discoloration means the treatment failed; follow the product label for brushing, rinsing, or reapplication.
  2. Let the surface dry completely. Dry pavers make it easier to see remaining stains, efflorescence, damaged edges, and low joints.
  3. Inspect the joint system. Determine whether the installation uses regular sand, polymeric sand, mortar, or permeable aggregate.
  4. Replace missing material with the same type. Do not put polymeric sand into a permeable-paver system that relies on open aggregate for infiltration.
  5. Repair failed joints properly. Unilock recommends scraping failed joint material to approximately 1½ to 2 inches before replacement in some repair situations. The actual depth and preparation must follow the joint-sand manufacturer’s instructions and the condition of the joint.
  6. Follow the full polymeric-sand process. Sweep, compact, and wet it exactly as the product data sheet requires. Some polymeric-sand manufacturers restrict high-pressure cleaning during the first 30 days after installation; freshly installed joints should be treated according to their own instructions. See this Techniseal product data sheet for an example of product-specific restrictions.
  7. Seal only if appropriate. Sealing is optional for some systems and does not correct shade, moisture, drainage, or debris. Never seal over wet pavers, cleaner residue, efflorescence, or incompletely cured joint material.

Waiting periods for new cement-based pavers also vary. Belgard says to wait at least 30 days before sealing in its guidance, while Unilock recommends waiting at least three months in some circumstances so efflorescence can dissipate. Your paver and sealer manufacturers’ instructions, along with the installer’s advice, control.

How to stop moss from returning

Moss favors persistent moisture, shade, limited air movement, compacted or poorly drained conditions, and organic debris. On a hardscape, the practical goal is to make the pavers dry faster and keep soil out of the joints. University of Maryland Extension, Oregon State University Extension, and UC IPM all emphasize the importance of moisture, shade, and site conditions in recurring growth.

  • Improve light and airflow. Prune overhanging branches where practical, without damaging desirable trees or creating a new drainage problem.
  • Redirect irrigation. Adjust sprinklers so they do not repeatedly wet patios, paths, or driveways.
  • Redirect downspouts. Keep roof runoff from flowing across or pooling on the pavers.
  • Correct drainage and settlement. Repair low spots, standing water, inadequate slopes, or failed drainage that keeps the surface wet.
  • Remove organic debris regularly. Sweep away leaves, soil, grass clippings, and other material that can hold moisture and fill the joints.
  • Keep joints filled. Full joints leave fewer places for seeds, soil, and debris to settle. For permeable pavers, keep the specified aggregate open and free of sediment rather than replacing it with an incompatible material.
  • Inspect seasonally. Check shaded edges, downspout discharge points, joints, and areas that remain damp after rain.
  • Consider sealing only when approved. A suitable sealer may reduce staining or help stabilize joints for some products, but it is not a guarantee against moss and is not a substitute for drainage or routine sweeping.
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Common mistakes and how to recover

Pressure washing removes the joint sand

What happened: The moss is gone, but the joints are hollow or sand has collected along the edges.

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Recovery: Allow the area to dry, inspect the entire installation, and replace missing sand with the correct joint material. If pavers have become loose or the base has eroded, a hardscape contractor may need to reset sections rather than simply sweep in more sand.

The treatment kills growth but leaves residue

What happened: Brown or gray growth remains after application.

Recovery: Check the label. Some treatments work slowly and require time before the dead material is brushed or rinsed away. Do not apply repeated doses simply because the surface is not instantly clean.

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Vinegar was used on acid-sensitive stone

What happened: The surface has discoloration, dull spots, or etching.

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Recovery: Stop using acid. Rinse only as appropriate for the stone and consult the stone supplier or a restoration professional; aggressive scrubbing can make the damage worse.

Bleach was mixed with another cleaner

What happened: Fumes, coughing, burning eyes, or breathing difficulty occurred.

Recovery: Leave the area and get fresh air. Do not re-enter until it is safe, and seek emergency or poison-control help as appropriate. Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaners.

A natural salt-and-vinegar recipe damaged nearby plants

What happened: Vegetation is scorched or soil has received salt runoff.

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Recovery: Stop the application, prevent further runoff, and flush affected soil only when doing so will not carry contamination into surface water. UC ANR explains the risks of salt and stronger acetic-acid products.

The surface was sealed too soon

What happened: The sealer hazed, failed to adhere, or trapped moisture and residue.

Recovery: Do not add another coat. Follow the sealer manufacturer’s instructions for curing, remediation, or removal, and address efflorescence or dampness before attempting another application.

When to hire a professional

DIY cleaning is reasonable for a small, accessible patch, but professional help is worthwhile when:

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  • The surface is valuable, acid-sensitive, heavily weathered, or made from unknown natural stone.
  • Pavers are sinking, rocking, or separating after joint loss.
  • Water pools across a large area or the base and drainage appear to be failing.
  • The installation is permeable and its aggregate or infiltration path may be clogged.
  • Moss is widespread and recurring despite correcting irrigation, shade, debris, and drainage.
  • Cleaning requires chemical application near a pond, pool, storm drain, or sensitive planting area.
  • You are unsure whether the joint material is regular sand, polymeric sand, mortar, or open aggregate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will vinegar damage pavers?

It can. Some extension and manufacturer guidance permits a short, localized vinegar treatment, but Belgard warns that high concentrations can damage some paving materials and Techo-Bloc does not recommend vinegar because acidity may discolor or damage pavers over time. Do not use it on unknown or acid-sensitive natural stone; test a hidden area first and follow the paver manufacturer’s guidance.

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Can I use bleach on concrete pavers?

Only if the paver manufacturer and bleach label permit it. Bleach instructions vary by product and paver: published manufacturer examples range from a 1:1 bleach-to-water mixture to five parts water and one part bleach. There is no universal safe ratio. Protect plants, control runoff, test first, and never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or another cleaner.

Is pressure washing safe for pavers?

It can be when the paver and joint system permit it and the machine is operated carefully. Test first, use the lowest effective setting and a broad fan spray, hold the wand at roughly 30 to 45 degrees and about 8 to 12 inches away, keep it moving, and spray across rather than directly into the joints. Re-sand if cleaning removes joint material.

How do I remove moss between pavers?

Start with a narrow plastic joint tool to lift the moss and soil, then scrub with a stiff nylon brush and rinse carefully. Inspect the joints after drying and replace missing material with the same type. Do not replace the specified open aggregate in a permeable system with polymeric sand.

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Can I use baking soda or salt to remove moss?

Avoid salt-and-vinegar recipes, especially near planting beds. Salt can accumulate in soil and harm desirable plants. Baking soda and other household recipes should not be assumed safe for every paver or effective as a moss treatment; use the least aggressive method recommended for your material instead.

How do I stop moss from returning?

Reduce the conditions that support it: improve light and air movement where practical, redirect sprinklers and downspouts, correct standing water or poor drainage, sweep leaves and soil regularly, and keep joints filled with the specified material. Cleaning alone will be temporary if the pavers remain damp and shaded.

Should I re-sand or seal after cleaning?

Inspect and re-sand first if joints are low or empty. Use the same joint material, and follow the complete directions for polymeric sand. Seal only when the paver, joint material, and sealer manufacturers permit it, after the surface is dry and free of residue and efflorescence. Sealing does not replace drainage or routine maintenance.

What if the growth is algae instead of moss?

Algae is often a green, black, or slimy film rather than a soft mat. It can be just as slippery. Begin with brushing and mild cleaning, then choose only a product whose label specifically covers the growth and surface you have.

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What should I do with permeable pavers?

Preserve the system’s specified open-graded joint aggregate and infiltration path. Use brushing and an installer-approved rinse or treatment, and do not automatically fill the joints with polymeric sand. Remove leaves, soil, and sediment regularly so the joints do not clog.

When should I hire a professional?

Call a professional for unknown or valuable natural stone, widespread recurring growth, failed drainage, loose or sinking pavers, extensive joint loss, clogged permeable systems, or chemical work near ponds, pools, storm drains, and sensitive plants.

The Bottom Line

Start with the least aggressive method: scrape, brush, and rinse. Add mild soap for light film, use pressure only in a controlled fan spray, and reserve vinegar, bleach, or registered treatments for material-compatible situations covered by the applicable instructions. Once the growth is gone, restore the joints and fix the moisture, shade, debris, or drainage problem that allowed it to grow.

Quick Recap

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Lilly Miller Moss Out! Roofs and Walks Ready to Spray, 27 Oz
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BioAdvanced 2-in-1 Moss and Algae Killer and Cleaner, Ready-to-Spray, 32 oz, 500 SQ FT
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Protection for months: kills within hours and protects for months
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Bestseller No. 4
Lilly Miller Moss Out, Moss Killer for Roofs, 6 LB
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Exclusive micro-granule formula; Kills moss quickly; Use on roofs, patios, sidewalks, brick and unpainted cement
$21.99

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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