Algae in my travertine

[Katodude]

So I have moss/mold/algae growing in the joints of my travertine pavers. What is the best way to clean or remove this? I have seen a product called Wet and Forget, does that work? It’s starting to drive me crazy.

 

[ajw22]

I use Wet & Forget | No Rinse Outdoor Cleaners, Product Selector

I use it around the house to kill moss, mold & mildew on stone and siding. I get it at my local Costco. Mix it 5:1 with water in a garden sprayer and spray it on the green areas. Don’t scrub. Let it dry. Give it a few days and the green should disappear. It changes the pH of the area to kill it. Safe for plants and pets.

 

[tampatommy]

Perfect time to see this! Our deck has only been down a month and the same thing is happening. Don’t want to ruin the travertine by spraying chlorine on it.

 

[jimim]

So if my sand joints are getting black from the winter this will restore thier color without power washing the top layer of sand off?

 

[ajw22]

So if my sand joints are getting black from the winter this will restore thier color without power washing the top layer of sand off?

If it is black from mold then yes. If it is black from dirt then no. I have black mold that grows on retaing wall tops and steps that it gets rid of. You have to give it a try and see.

 

[jimim]

If it is black from mold then yes. If it is black from dirt then no. I have black mold that grows on retaing wall tops and steps that it gets rid of. You have to give it a try and see.

I totally know what you’re talking about because I get it and two of the tops of my limestone steps.

It says on the bottle it can take up to six months to see a difference how long does it usually take for you to notice a difference just so I know what I’m looking for

 

[ajw22]

I totally know what you’re talking about because I get it and two of the tops of my limestone steps.

It says on the bottle it can take up to six months to see a difference how long does it usually take for you to notice a difference just so I know what I’m looking for

It only takes a few days to see a change. Green can disappear in a day. Depends how heavy it is. The manufacturer just doesn’t want complaints if the change isn’t immediate after application.

 

[jimim]

I’m going to try it. I have a bit of boss growing by part of my 1 drain and I have a bunch of spots where the sand joints are blackened. So if the joints are dirty vs algae and this doesn’t work what is a way to clean those joints without a power washer?

 

[jimim]

Quick question. Dry now. So I’m applying. Late tonight suppose to rain heavy. If this stuff isn’t fully dried and I get some runoff cause of heavy rain will it damage plaster? I was reading its corrosive on the warming label. Just asking. You all know I worry.

 

[jimim]

I just want to say how impressed I was with this product! I am very very skeptical when a product says just apply and forget. There is always some type of scrubbing involved I have found with anything to get something clean.

But holy cow I sprayed down my whole upper deck and I have some pretty black sand lines. 1 week only and all are lighter brown vs black or back to normal. I think I’m going to spot apply again in a few weeks and I am good. I am stocking up on this stuff. I think I’ll make it my spring clean up routine. I needed 1 full concentrated bottle to do my whole upper deck so that means to do my lower deck next year I would need 1 more bottle.

Totally totally worth the price! I can not tell you how happy I am that I found this thread and the few mentions about it.

Jimi

 

[poolnoobgrandma]

This is jut what I was looking for! We are getting green on some of our travertine coping and brick pavers. Since the issue is on the coping, I am concerned with this product getting into the pool (which has no issues). What is the impact if some of this runs off into the pool?

Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

This is jut what I was looking for! We are getting green on some of our travertine coping and brick pavers. Since the issue is on the coping, I am concerned with this product getting into the pool (which has no issues). What is the impact if some of this runs off into the pool?

Thanks!

Not a problem.

 

[poolnoobgrandma]

For what it's worth, I ordered the Wet and Forget, but was going to be out of town when it arrived. And I couldn't wait that long to tackle the green patches. Some of the info said that Wet and Forget works by changing the pH. I mixed up a strong solution of water and washing soda (that I had on hand from when the PB dropped my TA and pH to unswimmable levels right before a pool party) and it worked a charm on those specific areas! Wet and Forget arrived and I'll be using it on the whole deck later today once I've swept, etc. If the green bothers you before Wet and Forget can get there, try applying high pH to the green stuff. I haven't observed any issues with the travertine or pavers where I did this.

 

[Aquaman7]

I just want to say how impressed I was with this product! I am very very skeptical when a product says just apply and forget. There is always some type of scrubbing involved I have found with anything to get something clean.

But holy cow I sprayed down my whole upper deck and I have some pretty black sand lines. 1 week only and all are lighter brown vs black or back to normal. I think I’m going to spot apply again in a few weeks and I am good. I am stocking up on this stuff. I think I’ll make it my spring clean up routine. I needed 1 full concentrated bottle to do my whole upper deck so that means to do my lower deck next year I would need 1 more bottle.

Totally totally worth the price! I can not tell you how happy I am that I found this thread and the few mentions about it.

Jim, did you apply the Wet n Forget to your travertine deck? How did it come out?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[jimim]

Jim, did you apply the Wet n Forget to your travertine deck? How did it come out?

Thanks,
Joe

I have pavers not travertine.

 

[JamesW]

The active ingredient in Wet & Forget is Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride.

 

[Katodude]

The active ingredient in Wet & Forget is Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride.

Ok, that just sounds ominous. So is that good or bad?

 

[Jimmie48]

Would love to know more about this chemical as well. Sounds like something we could mix up ourselves...but I am no chemist...I was just gonna try some vinegar and water on my small algae spots on the travertine deck...but if this works for multiple people...maybe its worth it

 

[JamesW]

try some vinegar and water on my small algae spots on the travertine deck

Vinegar is acid and not good for travertine.

 

[poolnoobgrandma]

Vinegar is acid and not good for travertine.

I had the impression that Wet &forget increases alkalinity, and that the algae doesn't like that. Could be completely off-base.