Mold on a Patio

In order to grow, mold requires moisture and a nutrient source. Since patios are outside, there is plenty of moisture supplied by rain and humid air. And there are lots of biological nutrients in the natural environment – like dust, pollen, leaves, flowers, etc. – that can end up on the patio surface. If you use your patio for entertaining or family meals, food and beverages that provide both moisture and nutrients for mold growth may be spilled on the patio surface.

You probably don’t think of your patio as part of your house, but you may spend time there, especially in warm weather, and perhaps your children play on the patio surface. Even when outdoors, people who breathe in mold spores can experience health symptoms, so if your patio contains mold growth, it’s a good idea to get rid of the mold.

What Isn’t Mold?

People often mistake algae and moss for mold growth. Algae and moss are green and grow in areas that are consistently damp – like between and on bricks on a sidewalk or patio, or on the outside of foundation walls where rainwater or roof water splashes frequently up against the building. Algae and moss are unsightly and can be slippery to walk across. Trask Products like Oxy-Mold are useful in removing stains from these organisms, as well as in cleaning away mold.