How do you clean mildew from cement steps?

Question

My cement steps face the north side of the house and have a greenish tint to them. There is a lot of moss growing on that side also. I would like to paint them but I think the green should be cleaned off first. (I tried bleach)

I'd like to paint the steps with the same exterior paint we used to paint the cement block basement walls, but my husband thinks it should be an enamel paint .
We just used a flat latex on the block and it looks fine.

Answer 1

Use TSP (Trisodium Phosphate). You can get this at a hardware store. It is an excellent mildew remover and is commonly used by professional house painters to prepare a surface.

You should use a paint specifically made for conrete, and not a house paint. The house paint will wear and peel much faster than conrete pant.

Answer 2

I don't know what to tell you about cleaning them, but before you paint them I'd go down to Lowes or Home Depot or your hardware store and ask what kind of paint they recommend. Some paints (I think enamel might be one) can get very slick and slippery when it rains and you or someone else could get hurt falling on the concrete. Just a suggestion....

Answer 3

clean with bleach and soap water, repeat if needed
use a power washer and soap water
latex paint is not a good out door cement paint use Special oil base cement paint

Answer 4

Use some thing like Tilex or Chlorox mold remover. Spray it on and enable it set for extra or less a 1/2 hour. Then hose it off. you ought to properly be in a position to apply a rigidity washing gadget to rinse off the Tilex. yet, use a tremendous spray particularly of the pinpoint spray, or that is going to tear proper with the aid of the carpet.

Answer 5

Try using clorine from your local pool store.Put it in a pail, and using a yard broom spread it over the affected areas and let stay for a day. Should solve your problem.

Answer 6

clean with mild solution muriatic acid and stiff brush and protective gloves, neutralize with solution water baking soda. Be sure to apply bonding agent before painting.

Answer 7

Look for a good mildew cleaner . you can find it most anywhere.
A hard ware store may have a good cleaner especially for cement.

Answer 8

TRY TO SCAP IT OFF OR PUT SOMETHING DOWN TO MAKE THE MILDEW STOP GROWING

Answer 9

MURATIC ACID IS A GOOD CONCRETE CLEANER

Answer 10

use clorox