A Clean Home With Professional Results
By following these guidelines, you will be able to clean vinyl siding in an efficient, effective and safe manner just like a professional. What looks best with clean vinyl siding? Clean windows! Learn how to wash windows like a pro. Keep your house looking like new with shining vinyl siding and windows and enjoy the spotless exterior look of your home!
Clean Cedar Siding With A Household Cleaner
Most commercial household cleaners used for cedar siding have oxygen bleach as its active ingredient, but there are also products with hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient. These types of cleaners offer no chemical odor or fumes and they are safe to use in areas where they will be exposed to plants, grass and trees. Peroxide wont stain surfaces and it degrades quickly over the course of a few hours.
Cleaners using hydrogen peroxide have been found to brighten the appearance of cedar and do not leave blotchy areas, nor do they bleach out the wood or cause the fibers to become brittle like harsher chemicals might.
Most homeowners using products with hydrogen peroxide will apply it with a garden hose attachment and lightly scrub the cedar, or theyll use a pressure washer set on low for a no-scrub approach.
Wash Vinyl Siding Regularly
Going years between cleanings is a sure way to make it a longer cleaning process than it would otherwise be. With regular cleaning, you can avoid having to work long and hard to get rid of stubborn stains or a massive buildup of mold and mildew.
Most homeowners can get by with cleaning their vinyl siding once a year. But if you have particularly wet and humid summers, you could see a buildup of mold and mildew much faster, which means you need to address the problem the moment you notice it.
Furthermore, if you live in an area where pollution and/or dust is a problem, youll likely have to address your cleaning needs on a more frequent basis.
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How To Remove Cedar Mold
Black mold – we have all seen wood sided homes that turned that death black color. It just looks bad.
In wooded or shaded areas mold is going to present itself insidiously. The problem is that for many years the only semi transparent wood stains on the market were oil based.
Oil based stains actually feed mold. They contain natural resins like linseed, vegetable, tung oils and animal fat which make a scrumptious dinner for mold spores.
YUM YUM!
Removing Wood Mold
Black Mold on Western Red Cedar Siding
We interviewed one of our callers who was deciding whether or not to replace the cedar he had on his house for the last 30 years. He was the original owner and has been meticulously maintaining the wood the entire time.
We asked him how he handled mold on his wood siding – both removing mold and then preventing mold from returning.
How To Clean Mold Off Cedar Siding
Jim qualifies as a special kind of expert because he knows what it takes to maintain wood long term.
He got 4 or 5 good years with that first coat of clear oil based stain before the darkening set in.
The mold got considerably worse when we put the mulch in to grow our shrubs.
The key is remove the mold and clean the siding the year BEFORE you think you need it. You could look at it and say- I could wait till next year and thats how you know it is time to do it THIS YEAR!”
“If you wait you will be sorry!
I could hear the pain of experience in his voice.
The first thing is what you dont do:
What Happens If Water Gets Behind Vinyl Siding
What Happens When Water Gets Behind Siding? Because the material is waterproof, vinyl siding tends to trap moisture that accumulates behind it. The damp permeates your homes wood sheathing and seeps into insulation sheets between exterior and interior walls. The result is often extensive hidden mold growth.
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Using A Pressure Washer On Vinyl
Not all vinyl siding manufacturers recommend pressure washing their products, so it’s best to check first to avoid voiding the warranty. Once you’re sure it’s OK, adjust the pressure to no more than 1,200 psi and fit the wand with a 40-degree nozzle. At that pressure, you may have trouble removing well-established patches, especially from high places that require you to work from a ladder. For this reason, it’s a good idea to scrub with a disinfecting cleaner and rinse with the pressure washer. Remember to keep the wand horizontal or tilted downward to avoid forcing water under the vinyl slats.
Repainting Siding After Removing Mildew
If your siding needs to be repainted, choose a mildew-resistant paint.
The most mildew susceptible paints are latex paints, especially when linseed oil base primer is used. Acrylic gloss and semi-gloss latex paints are less susceptible to mildew than flat latex.
The least susceptible paints are exterior enamels. Special paints are also available that contain a mildewcide.
Your local hardware store or paint supplier will be able to assist you in choosing the correct paint and primer to reduce mildew on your home and its effects.
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What Causes Mildew To Grow On Vinyl Sidings
Vinyl siding has several properties that make it mold-prone, but there are also several external factors that might cause mildew to develop on your homes siding. One of these factors is excessive moisture.
A wet surface or a high moist accumulation provides the perfect conditions for mildew to develop. This is why mold and dry rot are often seen in the bathroom wall, kitchen, and other damp areas. And a house exteriorvinyl sidings, in this casecan also make an excellent breeding ground for mildew.
But why and how?
Simple. Some areas of your house exterior accumulate excessive moisture from humid air and, at the same time, a lack of sunlight which would prevent the buildup. These conditions gives fungi spores an excellent place to grow and spread. It is why mildew most often grows in shady areas where the siding does not get much sunlight.
But apart from those two, dirt buildup adds to the problem as well. Molds and fungus feed on dirt. And the larger the buildup is, the faster the growth and spread are.
Get A Free Home Washing Estimate
There’s only one SpringBrook Power Washing. With over 22,000 homes washed and more than 17 years in business in Rhode Island, Eastern Connecticut, and Massachusetts, you can count on us for upfront, honest advice regarding your project and meticulous long-lasting results. We CARE about your property and getting you the right information and services for your home. Contact SpringBrook today for results that will make your neighbors envious.
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How To Clean Mold Off Siding
As dirt particles collect on a houses siding, mold or mildew can eventually gain a foothold. When you see the dingy growth accumulate on your home, its time to clean the siding. The process is well within the physical abilities of most homeowners. Learn how to clean mold off siding from the siding experts at PJ Fitzpatrick.
Whether you have vinyl or aluminum siding, the job is largely the same. If you use a pressure washer, dont exceed a medium pressure setting. The spray pattern should be at 40 degrees and the nozzle should be kept at least 12 inches from the siding at all time. These settings will prevent you from damaging your siding with an excessively strong spray.
Reasons Why Mold Grows On Your Vinyl Siding
Q: My house was built 23 years ago. In the last couple of years, I have noticed that, some kind of black/brown spots, mold or mildew has formed on the vinyl siding, especially on the north side of the house. What is the cause and how can I clean them off? If it involves chemicals or is physically challenging , can I hire someone to remove them?Edmonton ,AB
A: Plastic or vinyl siding is a popular building material because it is affordable and durable. Though it is sold as a maintenance free building material, it too is susceptible to the vagaries of its surroundings. The green /black /brown spots are mildew/mold and they grow on the vinyl due to the following reasons
SUGARS
The mold and algae are attracted to the sidings because of the dirt ,dust and sugars that are attached to the vinyl. Most people may be unaware that trees and other vegetations release into the air ultrafine particles of sugars at different times of years. Some of these sugars settle on the vinyl . If your house is near trees, some sugary sap from those trees could end up on the siding, these are delicious food for the mold and algae! It is thus important to regularly clean your sidings, preferably once a year.
LACK OF SUNLIGHT
Mold and mildew thrive in areas with less sunlight.
Here in Edmonton, AB or Northern hemisphere the sun is not directly overhead, but to the south, so the south side of any object will get more sunlight than the north. This is why mold likes the north side of the house.
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Exterior House Mold Prevention
- Trim the trees and bushes regularly so that the branches never touch the siding and there is enough air between the plants and the wall.
- Make sure your sprinkler doesnt aim directly at the house.
- Apply a fungicide recommended by your siding installation company.
- Wash your siding at least once a year. Give special attention to the walls on the shady side of the house.
Taking Care Of Vinyl Siding
Mold growth is common on vinyl siding, especially if the siding does not get enough sunlight or is prone to moisture. Despite this, there are ways to prevent and remove the mold to keep your siding in good shape. In fact, learning how to do the job efficiently is not that difficult, whether you are a new homeowner or an amateur house cleaner.
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Clean Vinyl Siding Without Scrubbing
Scrubbing 2,800 square feet of the surface area is not appealing to most homeowners.
Fortunately, there are ways to clean your siding without scrubbing. You can use a pressure washer or a soft-bristled brush attached to a long-handled wand and a container full of cleaning solution attached to a garden hose to apply the solution and knock down the grime.
The non-scrubbing method is best applied to siding that has not accumulated a multitude of grime that is difficult to remove without scrubbing. For example, you can use a house wash product, which has a spray nozzle at the end where water and cleaning solution will shoot out of the nozzle with enough pressure eliminate easily removed debris from the siding.
Clean Fiber Cement Siding With A Garden Hose
In some cases, all thats required to remove dirt and grime from your fiber cement siding is water and a cloth, brush or sponge. You can start by using a soft brush to knock down the dirt and then rinse the surface with a garden hose. Go back over affected areas with your cloth, brush or sponge and rinse again.
If you have a lot of dirt and grime on your siding, youll need to switch out your cloth and continually rinse out your sponge or brush so it is free of debris.
For removing oil and grease and other contaminants that require more than water alone, choose a mild detergent, such as dishwashing soap that does not contain bleach, and works it into affected areas with a garden hose attachment. If the stream of soap and water doesnt completely remove the oil or grease, use a soft cloth to scrub the area until clean then do a final rinse with water from the garden hose to remove the soap and any remaining debris.
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The Right Way To Clean Vinyl Siding
Dip the cloth or brush into the solution and scrub the siding until you see noticeable changes. Though you want to scrub hard to get rid of the grime, be gentle with the siding as too much pressure may crack it. Rinse with water from top to bottom often as you go to avoid uneven drying and spotting.
What Is The Best Exterior House Cleaner
- BEST OVERALL: MOLD ARMOR Cleaner.
- RUNNER-UP: 30 SECONDS Hose End Sprayer Outdoor Cleaner.
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Krud Kutter HS01 Green Pressure Washer Siding Cleaner.
- BEST FOR MILDEW: Wet & Forget Moss Mold Mildew & Algae Stain Remover.
- ALSO CONSIDER: Jomax Outdoor Mildew Remover House Siding Cleaner.
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Wash Wood Siding Regularly
It is recommended to clean your LP SmartSide siding annually. The cleaner the surface of your siding, the less likely it is for mold and mildew to take hold and become a problem.
An annual washing will remove dirt and grime thats built up over the 12 months and give your wood siding a cleaner, more eye-pleasing appeal. As a preventative maintenance measure, frequently inspect your siding, gutters and downspouts. This allows you to get ahead of issues that can create problems for your siding later. For example, if you have gaps in your gutters, water can leak through to your siding, creating a great environment for mold, mildew and staining. Should you spot a problem that goes beyond your DIY expertise, call a professional to have the situation evaluated.
Is It Possible To Stop The Mildew From Growing Back
While it is best to opt for a siding that is not prone to molds, there are various ways to prevent your vinyl siding from becoming a breeding ground. The first, and most effective, solution is to keep your siding dry.
Here are the common sources of moisture you will need to avoid.
- Gutter leakage. A damaged or clogged gutter can trigger mildew to grow on your sidings as a clogged gutter can cause gutter leakage which will make your siding constantly wet, especially during rainy days. Thus, if you notice some water leaking from the gutter, make sure to address it immediately.
- Vines, moss, trees, and shrubs. One way to thwart off moisture on any kind of surface is sunlight. A house with tall and bushy treesas well as shrubscan block the light and heat your siding needs to protect itself against mildew. The same goes for vines and moss climbing on your house sidings.
- Dryer ventilation. If you have a dryer, you probably have already noticed the mildew buildup on your sidings where the dryer is placed. The reason is that the ventilation produces steam, and this steam prompts molds to grow and spread. To combat this, make sure to place your dryer in an open area so the moisture will not get stuck.
Now that you know how to prevent molds from growing, let us talk about the different ways to remove mildew buildup.
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Causes Of Mold Growth On Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is a very popular material used in the exterior of homes. This is mainly because its both durable and affordable.
However, the disadvantage is that mold tends to grow on it easily. Irrespective of whether you are considering adding vinyl siding to your home or you are concerned about the existing siding you have, its always good to find out how mold and can affect the siding.
Also learning about how to get rid of the issue once you are faced with it is crucial. Some of the reasons that mold accumulates on your siding include the buildup of dirt.
Once dirt accumulates on the surface, and it is not cleaned for quite a while, it leads to mold and mildew growth because these fungi need dirt in order to thrive. If your home is near trees, then mold could end up on the siding due to sugar sap falling from the trees, and that makes it quite an appealing environment for fungi.
Another cause is excess moisture. If there is excess moisture beneath the surface of the vinyl siding, or water gets trapped behind the siding or even within it, or theres a broken drain pipe or gutter constantly dripping onto the siding, this will keep it wet all the time. Ultimately, it will lead to the buildup of mold and mildew.
Ultimately, unless you have some way of getting directsunlight onto the siding, you need to keep them extra clean all the time.
Vinyl Siding Cleaners That Actually Work
Good weather brings homeowners outside to enjoy decks, patios, and porches, but with the summer season comes the introduction of mold growing on vinyl siding. Sometimes its stubborn stains from topsoil, rust, dirt, and other debris that leave your vinyl siding less than desirable to look at.
No homeowner wants to be distracted from enjoying the backyards of their homes by green tinted mold covering the vinyl siding. Fortunately, there are plenty of vinyl siding cleaners to help kill the mold and restore the siding back to its original beauty.
Whether you use a mainstream product available at your local hardware store or supermarket, or if you choose to make your own concoction with bleach, vinegar, or cleaning substitute, the task of cleaning vinyl siding can be quick and easy with the right tools for the job.
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