[p1w1]

hi,

i have a customer who has asked me to remove moss from there tarmac drive it's fairly heavily covered see pics. I know you cant really use high pressure on it is there any chems that you can use and how you would go about doing it. i do pressure washing anyway but not sure if i should take it on as i think she will expect it to look like new as such, but is a good customer so dont mind giving it a go she is also worried about any chems used that could possibly stain or lighten the tarmac,
would really appreciate the input from the experts or people who have done this sort of thing before and what kind of results can you really acheive or is there other ways of doing it as ive seen some tarmac drives that have been painted (i think) with some kind of coating.
thanks guys
paul

[Ged]

i use a flat surface cleaner. start with pressure on low and turn it up untill the moss is being removed. if the surface looks like it is being damaged stop. the flat surface cleaner gives an even result if care is taken. do not use a turbo as this will rip it up. explain to customer what you intend to do and the possibility of damage. i always insist on them signing a disclaimer before work begins. there are chemicals but the one i used to use has been banned because some stupid twit decided to spray a load of it in an enclosed space and got serious eye irritation, so i just use pressure and to be honest i think it works just as well. tarmac has to be in reasonable condition to start with. various bitchumen paints are available. others may be able to advise you about these.
regards

ged

[p1w1]

thanks jed kind of what i thought i have a fsc but the tarmac doesnt look in the best nick..
paul

[Alan McTernan]

Paul,

Look down the page about 26 posts down

Regards
Alan

[p1w1]

thanks mate didnt see that  , the moss is really bad think it would be better to kill most of it first then pressure clean as the tarmac is not in the best condition and then maybe put something down after to help prevent re-growth as its in a shaded and damp area from over head trees.
Will probably try and put her off as i'm not that desperate for the work and dont want the hassle as i dont think the end result will be that good i have that gut feeling she thinks it will look like new again and will be dissapointed with the results.

thanks
paul

[Alan McTernan]

Hi Paul,

If you want give me a call and i will try and help you out

Regards
Alan

[p1w1]

Hi Paul,

If you want give me a call and i will try and help you out

Regards
Alan

Hi Alan,

Many thanks for the offer i have put a quote in after a bit of research on the chemicals you say you use on the other post so will see what happens, however i'll keep your offer in mind
thanks again mate 
paul

[johnny bravo]

can you let me know how you got on, and which way did you decide to clean it,  and to what effect, im in the same situation now as you were

[Jettaway]

With the exception of tennis courts I've pretty much stopped pressure washing tarmac. Its a pain in the ar$e and often ore hassle than its worth

[Kevin Miller]

Didn't want to start a new topic as this fits. I don't pressure wash Tarmac drives as I think they can lead to trouble so stay away from them. However a friend have asked me to look at theirs, they gave Tarmac drive with moss on it. Not been to look yet as they asked me this morning. Those of you who clean them what do you use? Whirlaway or your vario nozzle. I know it's best to avoid your turbo. Do people use chemicals. I won't use hypo as I've heard they can lighten the Tarmac.
Cheers in advance

[Kev Martin]

Take the bulk / lumps / clods off with a scraper then spray it with Algoclear and walk away

[Great Outdoors]

Recommend they leave it to spring / summer - warmer temps!

Pressure wash, apply fungicidal wash followed by repairs / coating 

Or

scrub it using a rotary, vacuum and apply wash

[Jettaway]

If you've got 40° nozzle's then they'll help too