After years of pulling weeds out of my brick patio, I decided to give a weed torch a go. While it was a blast and very satisfying, I think I left myself a mess and MORE work to come 🤦‍♂️
I tried to keep it moving quick, but what is left behind is a black, soot-covered mess. It sweeps off slightly but leaves shoes black. The really problematic areas were moss covered.
So, I’m looking for suggestions on how to amend the current situation, as well as advice for future torching attempts. Thank you!
by FuzzyLuckton
22 Comments
Take a garden hoe and scrape the moss and mud off the cracks then re-sand with plyometric sand. When using the weed torch, it’s very satisfying to crisp them to ash, but you really only need to make the leaves yellow and/or “sweaty” looking to kill them. Less burning basically
Pressure washer
pressure wash, then spray for weeds
You are going to be much better off using a pressure washer.
Well you should have used a floor scraper to remove the built up moss. There would have been a lot less ash and residue. I would still hit it with a scraper to get some of the bulk up and then use a pressure washer. Be mindful not to use too tight of a stream otherwise you will draw lines on your bricks. Now here is were we go next level. After it dries spray it with hydrogen peroxide. Nothing will grow back.
When the forecast does not show rain for several days, scrape it with a flat shovel. Apply Scotts Mossex 3-in-1 ready spray or similar product to kill the moss. Read the label. Wear appropriate ppe and take reasonable precautions to prevent exposure to others. Wait a few days. Power wash the cracks. Wear safety glasses or goggles. Reapply polymetric sand. Preventatively apply mossex again. Wikihow if you need more specif9c guidance on any of those steps.
Pressure wash with an attachment called a turbo nozzle, just did it. The black will come off with the pressure washer, just charred
Hit it with a pressure washer and put down 3% bleach mix to kill any remaining organics, then pressure wash it again
You burned the moss. Need to scrape that down.
Why not just spray vinegar?
Seems like pressure washing and scraping is in my future!
The moss is wet so it’s not burning and is just getting covered in soot, as you learned.
>Weed torch- where did I go wrong?
You lingered. The flame/heat causes cellular rupture. You went past that…you should only  pass the flame briefly over the moss until it wilts, rather than scorching it to a crisp, and be prepared to repeat the process…moss grows back, especially in wet or damp areas.
Pressure washer
Not suggesting this, but I spilled a small amount of diesel fuel by accident in my yard MONTHS ago, and there is still a spot where nothing will grow.
You listened to people on Reddit.
I’ve never had a soot covered mess probably because of the quantity involved. This must have been pretty thick. Now you get to clean up soot!
Dont listen to these people, pressure washers are the worst tool a homeowner can use, they ruin everything. Pressure washing concrete washes the cream off the concrete and it may brighten it up but it will leave it porous it will get dirty fast and it’s f-ed after that. If concrete looking bright is your thing pour or spray bleach on it diluted in a bucket or use a pump up sprayer. I would of blown and sweep it, moss in the cracks people good money to do that on purpose
Kill moss by sprinkling baking soda on it when moss is damp, then pressure wash it. Comes off much easier. Costco sells big bags and if you sprinkle it in the spring it deters moss from even growing.
Not using torch soon enough. Too much organic matter when you torched it. You just made charcoal on and between your bricks. Maybe now you can power wash it and maybe hit it again.
Grab a water pressure cleaner, that will go in minutes
Powerwash that