Are those dark, unattractive patches of mold on the siding of your house beginning to frustrate you? While it not only devalues the appearance of your property’s exterior, it can also become hazardous to both your health and your home.Releasing mycotoxins into the surrounding air, untreated mold can lead to both acute and chronic health problems, including respiratory issues, immunity reductions, a compromised metabolism, and even liver cancer. So, it’s imperative to remove it from your siding as soon as possible.
But how? As siders in Seattle, Washington, we know a thing or two about your home exterior, including mold growth. Here, you’ll learn about some of the main causes and how you can get rid of them once and for all!
But how? As siders in Seattle, Washington, we know a thing or two about your home exterior, including mold growth. Here, you’ll learn about some of the main causes and how you can get rid of them once and for all!
What Causes Mold Growth on Siding Planks?
There are a variety of reasons as to why mold may grow on your siding planks. Some major contenders include:
Sugar and sap aerosols from trees:
Trees and other small plants can release sappy aerosols that are rich in sugars. These sugars cling to siding from the wind, which attracts mold and accumulates over time.
Moisture problems:
Whether you’ve overused the pressure washer cleaning, or there’s been some heavy rainfall, water can seep into cracks and grow mold.
Lack of sunlight:
If your house is in an area that has limited sunlight, mold will thrive.
How Can You Remove It?
As siding contractors in Seattle, we can’t stress the importance of cleaning it regularly. But if you’ve got some mold, here are a few tips:
Use a pressure washer or hose to spray the siding. If the mold is thin, it will come off with water completely.
Use a pressure washer or hose to spray the siding. If the mold is thin, it will come off with water completely.
Spray from the bottom to the top, and avoid spraying under the edges of the siding. Siding companies in Seattle, WA, recommend this because water can infiltrate the seams and cause issues under the material.
Always rinse the exterior of your home after. Remember the problem with too much moisture?
For tougher mold, try this:
Add cleaner to a bucket. Use 1 1/2 cups of vinegar or ½ cup of bleach for each gallon of water.
If you have plants on your exterior, your siders in Seattle, WA, will recommend you use plastic drop cloths to protect them from being burned by the cleaning solution.
Use a scrub brush to apply the solution to the siding.
Once you’ve covered all the siding, rinse it off from the top all the way down to the bottom.
For layers of mold that don’t budge after the first layer of solution, apply again and scrub.
Do this until all the mold has completely disappeared.
Look After Your Siding
Whether you’re having siding installed in Seattle and you want to know how to prevent mold from growing, or your old siding needs a freshen-up, use these tips to remove build-up and keep your exterior looking shiny and new all year round. When you see how much you removed the mold just with a few simple strategies, we guarantee you’ll breathe a sigh of relief. If you still need help, don’t be afraid to reach out to the professionals.