How Does Mold Live On Siding?
One thing that is commonly known about mold is that it cannot grow on synthetic materials, such as vinyl. If this is true, then how is it that mold can live on the siding of one's home? The answer is layered, literally. You will breathe a sigh of relief to know that mold does not actually grow on your home's vinyl siding. It is growing on the layer of dirt and grime that is on your home's siding.
There are nutrients in dirt that are vital for mold to survive. Even if you cannot quite tell that there is dirt on your siding, you can bet that a thin layer is the culprit behind the mold growth. What your siding needs is a proper cleaning to get rid of the mold. This is going to take more than simply using a washrag and a bucket of soap, however.
How Do You Clean Vinyl Siding?
If you want to be rid of the mold on your home's siding then you need to clean it of properly. While the mold is only truly growing on the layer of dirt on your home, fully cleaning that layer of dirt off requires the right tools and techniques.
Pressure Washing
One of the most powerful tools you can use to clean the siding from your home is a pressure washer. A pressure washer can hit the siding with a powerful jet of water, typically paired with a cleaning solution, typically a bleach solution. Make sure, however, that you use your pressure washer in accordance with manufacturer recommendations so that you do not do any damage to your home.
Brush Cleaning
If you want to take a more hands-on, meticulous approach to cleaning the mold off of your siding then brush cleaning is what you need to do. This process involves using a bucket of cleaning solution and scrubbing the mold and dirt away with a soft-bristled brush and a washcloth.
If you are going to use a brush to clean your home's siding then make sure you are wearing gloves, especially if you are going to be using bleach. This is because mold is a particularly abrasive liquid that can damage your skin if you are not careful.
To brush clean your home you follow the simple procedure of dipping your brush in the cleaning solution, scrubbing the afflicted area of the siding, and then wiping the mold and grime away with your washcloth. Having an additional bucket on hand to rinse your brush and washcloth is important.
Vinyl Siding Cleaning Solution List
If you are going to get rid of the mold on your siding you need to make sure that the cleaning solution that you are using will not do any damage to your home or siding during the cleaning process. You also want to make sure that the solution you use does not cause any discoloration. Here are some cleaning solutions that should do the job of cleaning mold from your siding beautifully.
Simple DIY Solutions
The Vinegar Solution
One of the easiest, and most surprisingly effective, cleaning solutions uses white vinegar as its base rather than a more abrasive chemical such as bleach. Use a ratio of 70% water to 30% bleach and you will have a fantastic, non-abrasive mold cleaning solution in your arsenal.
DIY Siding Cleaner:
- 1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent
- 2/3 cup powdered household cleaner
- 1 quart liquid laundry bleach
- 1 gallon of water
Commercial Vinyl Siding Products
If you are wary of taking the DIY approach to cleaning mold from your siding and want to rely on cleaners that you know are made specifically for that purpose then here are some great choices that you can use. Be sure to use them as directed.
- Fantastik®
- Murphy Oil Soap®
- Windex®
- Soft Scrub®
- Lestoil®
- Simple Green®
- Armor All®
- Nice & Easy®
What Not To Do When Cleaning Siding
You need to understand that sometimes the most important thing to remember is not what you should do, but rather what not to do. It is easy to do some real damage to your home during the mold cleaning process if you are not careful. Here are the things you should not do.
Using Undiluted Cleaners
If you are using a chemical cleaning agent such as bleach you must be sure to dilute it properly. If you do not dilute it then you will be putting full-strength bleach on your home's siding, and that could cause discoloration and potentially damage the siding.
Using Too Much Pressure When Pressure Washing
Pressure washing can deliver incredibly satisfying results when cleaning your siding. It can be satisfying to an almost hypnotic degree to watch the dirt and grime disappear. However, if you are not careful, you could do damage to your siding by using too high of a pressure setting.
Using Abrasives
When you are using a brush to clean your siding you want to use a brush that has a soft bristle. You want to avoid using anything like steel wool or a hard bristle as that can also do further damage to your siding. Abrasive cleaning tools can actually wear down the smooth texture of your siding, making it easier for dirt and grime to stick to the siding all over again, only more difficult to get rid of a second time.
How Do You Clean Mold Off Fiber Cement Siding?
If your home's siding is not made of vinyl, but from fiber cement then you are better off avoiding a pressure washer. Instead, utilize the soft-bristled brush approach. This will be more effective at taking care of the mold without potentially inviting further mold growth in the future or damaging the siding. Make sure that you work meticulously from top to bottom and don't scrub it too hard.
While you, in most instances, would probably want to avoid using a pressure washer, that does not mean it is essential to avoid using one. It simply means that you should take extra precautions. For example, you do not want to use a pressure washer any closer than six feet away from the siding and you should keep it at a low pressure (less than 1500 psi) and use a wide instead of a narrow tip. Using it further back is actually recommended when you're dealing with fiber cement. Regardless, you should always check with the manufacturer of your siding before cleaning it with any method, because you could void any warranty it may have.
When Things Get Desperate
When the mold growth on the siding of your home begins to show signs of actual damage behind the siding, the time has come to bring in experts. A water damage and remediation service can give your home's siding a full assessment. They can tell you the full extent of the damage and tell you what the best course of action is to handle the damage.
If the damage is serious enough your home may have to undergo repairs. This can get expensive if you do not have homeowners insurance that covers such damage. It will only get more expensive if the damage is left unchecked.
If you happen to live in Central Florida and need to have mold or water damage inspected, Damage Control 911 restoration services can help.
