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.
Tree Sap Can Cause Mold On Siding
You may not realize the amount of;sugar and sap that falls from trees and the damage;it can do to your vinyl siding. ;Think about times youve parked your car under certain trees and return to;find your windshield covered in countless tiny droplets of sap. ;Similarly, sap from nearby;trees can fall;on;your house, becoming a breeding ground for mold and mildew on vinyl siding.
For mold prevention, you should keep tree limbs from pressing up directly against your house and prune all plants and bushes to ensure there is space between them and the siding.
Be sure to frequently inspect;siding exposed to surrounding trees, both;Evergreen and , as this siding maybe more susceptible to mold and mildew growth.
What Not To Do When Cleaning Vinyl Siding
- Using undiluted and un-targeted products: Organic solvents or undiluted chlorine bleach, and furniture polishers can damage the surface so best be avoided.
- Abrasive scrubbers: The likes of steel wool can scratch and cause damage when cleaning vinyl siding. Soft bristles + elbow grease is the answer.
- Too strong pressure washing: As mentioned, opt for the garden hose instead but if you must use your pressure washer, keep it to a minimum strenth.
- Not cleaning with care: Go carefully around windows, doors, any dryer vents and more openings so that water doesn’t go where it shouldn’t.
- Want to know how to clean a dryer vent? We can help.
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Happy vinyl siding cleaning!
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How To Effectively Clean Vinyl Siding And Get Rid Of Mold
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Vinyl siding is remarkably durable and good at protecting your home, but it sure does show dirt and grime. Worse, when in the shade it can accumulate unsightly mold. Make sure you are ready for in-depth cleaning with a good natural homemade vinyl siding cleaner.If the time has come for you to attack your vinyl siding, Megan at rappsodyinrooms.com has posted a really helpful step-by-step guide on how to clean your vinyl siding the right way. To see how, just click the link below:
How To Clean Mold Off Vinyl Siding
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Vinyl sidings are exterior products and thats why they can collect dirt, filth, grime, and stains from all kinds of stuff like pollen, animals and bug droppings, spider webs, and rust. If you are going through the same, you should check this multi-method guide on how to clean mold off vinyl sidings with ease and guaranteed results.
Contents
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Can I Use Bleach
Bleach is not always recommended for mold cleanups. Using bleach can sometimes cause other problems on the materials you are cleaning. But, vinyl siding can withstand the bleach onslaught. A little bleach, a good cleaning product, and water and A LOT of intense scrubbing will do the trick. You should use some kind of brush with long handle so you dont get bleach on your hands.;
Does Vinegar Kill Mold
White vinegar is a mildly acidic product that cleans, deodorizes, and disinfects. It can also kill 82% of mold species, including black mold, on porous and non-porous surfaces. You can use it safely on most surfaces, and its offensive odor goes away quickly. Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle.
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How To Clean Cedar Siding And Remove Mold Or Stains
Few siding materials catch the eye like cedar siding. Unfortunately, cedar can become the victim of mildew and mold. A popular method of cleaning it is to use a five-gallon bucket filled with water and mix in some granular oxygen bleach. Manufacturers have different recommendations on the ratio of water to bleach, which means youll need to follow the directions on the label.
To begin, saturate the cedar siding and scrub it with a brush and repeat the process until all the mold and associated stains are removed. You might be tempted to use a power washer to make the job go faster, but using this method will force water into places it is not supposed to be, unless you can adjust the pressure to a low setting.
If your cedar siding has an oil-based stain on it, it has been found that this oil will help to feed the mold, which exacerbates the problem. Oxygen bleach is a good chemical to use on this as well. If youre nervous about the bleach damaging your siding, do a test scrub on a small area, let it dry and inspect the area.
How Can Mildew And Algae Survive On Vinyl Siding
The mildew and algae are feeding on dirt, dust, sugars and other things that are attached to the siding. Many people are unaware that trees, both evergreen and deciduous, often release ultra fine aerosols of sugars at different times of the year. Park your car under certain trees and youll see thousands of tiny droplets of sap or sugar on your car. This is yummy food for mildew and algae!
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How To Clean Your Siding: Vinyl Cedar Wood And Fiber Cement
From scorching summer sun and howling debris-filled winds to winter weather abuse, eventually your siding is going to require cleaning. And while modern siding is durable, whether it is vinyl, cedar, wood or fiber cement, nothing can stop it from becoming dingy, especially after years of exposure to the elements.
The following are some of the most common issues homeowners are subjected to that require cleaning:
Knowing what is causing your siding to dilapidated can help you choose the right method for cleaning it and get it back to near its original state.
Apply Some Elbow Grease
Begin at the top of the house and work your way down, dipping the scrub brush into the mixture and applying force with a side to side motion. Divide the project into manageable, 20-foot sections, rinsing each one well from the top down once completed.
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Once you know how to remove green algae from vinyl siding and help to prevent it from returning, you can move on to other interior and exterior spring cleaning projects, including pressure washing exterior surfaces such as your driveway, deck, or sidewalks using these tips from the experts at Window GenieLink opens in a new tab.
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The Right Way To Pressure Wash Your Siding
Determine the amount of pressure that can be safely applied to your vinyl siding. Take a firm stance a few feet away from the house while spraying. Hold a 25-degree nozzle at eye-level and point it straight at the siding with two hands. An upward spray can force water behind vinyl siding, causing more problems for you as mold and mildew could grow in these wet spots. Start pressure washing your house from the bottom up in small sections, using a side-to-side motion and steady pace to prevent streaking. Rinse with a hose or buckets of water.
Is Pressure Washing Bad For Vinyl Siding
A pressure washer can quickly ruin vinyl siding by cracking it with the high- pressure stream of water, so its necessary to know which pressure -level and nozzle to use. If you do use too much power, water can sneak behind the siding and soak the wood sheeting behind the vinyl, which could cause future damage.
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Clean Cedar Siding With Pressure Washing
While getting the job done right is important, you probably want to also make quick work of the process. Unfortunately, if you dont have control of the pressure on yours, youll need to leave your pressure washer in the garage. If you can adjust your pressure to below 1,000 psi, you can use your washer, but contact your manufacturer first to make sure you have the right settings. With a low-pressure setting, you dont have to worry about water getting in between the seams and cracks. You also dont have to worry about creating permanent ruts in your siding.
Use your oxygen bleach mixture in the storage tank on the washer and apply the solution moving from bottom to top. Let it sit for around 15 minutes and go over it again, gently knocking down stains and dead mold. Remember dont use chlorine bleach it will damage the wood fibers and shorten the life of your siding.
Does Bleach Damage Vinyl Siding
Will bleach hurt vinyl siding? Although vinyl siding can also be cleaned with detergents, Clorox is much more effective for removing stubborn baked-on dirt, soot, stains, mold and mildew. Clorox bleach will not harm vinyl siding as long as it is properly diluted and thoroughly rinsed from the surface.
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What Causes Vinyl Siding To Turn Green
Since it was first introduced in the late 1950’s vinyl siding has gained popularity due to its versatility, strength, and ability to weather the elements. However, while the polymer material may be able to withstand high winds and harsh UV rays it is still susceptible to staining, including a green discoloration caused by one of the following:
Mold
Mold growth can occur when there is an ongoing issue with water leakage or improper drainage, from sources such as a drainpipe or gutters. Once the necessary repairs or adjustments have been made the mold removal can begin, but because mold can be difficult to remove and might require the use of harsh chemicals you may want to consult a professional for assistance.
Algae
Algae growth typically occurs in areas where dirt and dust have collected, as the organic material is used as a source of food. The algae may appear brown or green in color and remain damp, diminishing the appearance of your home and spreading out over time. Unlike mold, this type of growth is mainly cosmetic and can be removed using minimal force and a few basic materials.
Can You Use Bleach To Clean Vinyl Siding
Yes! Its been found to be an excellent method to clean the vinyl siding on a home. Homeowners who use plain water to clean their siding need to clean more often. It is estimated that they will need to have it cleaned two times per year. They may also need to clean more often than that, using just plain water, to stave off new algae growth.
However, you can get by with less cleaning with the use of bleach. By adding one quart of bleach per every 5 gallons of water, the time between cleanings would be every 9-12 months.
For homeowners who are looking to keep the algae from building up on their home for the most extended period would benefit from using this method.
There are also quite a few different cleaning solutions that can be found in most hardware stores that benefit homeowners in keeping their vinyl siding clean and algae free. However, one of the quickest and most cost-efficient ways is by having the home professionally power washed.
There are many different types of bleaches and strengths of solutions. A professional cleaning company will know about the best products to recommend and use for your home.
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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.
Removing Dirt From Vinyl Siding
Hosing down vinyl siding with a garden hose equipped with a spray nozzle or a pressure washer set on a medium spray pattern is often enough to remove dirt and grime. When hosing down or pressure washing vinyl siding:
- Make sure the pressure washer spray pattern is wide enough to prevent damage to the siding, and keep the nozzle moving.
- Start washing at the bottom and work your way up; then rinse from the top, working your way down.
- To prevent water from running behind the siding, spray even with or down on the siding, and spray in the direction of the overlapped joints.
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Clean Vinyl Siding With A Household Cleaner
You dont have to go out and purchase a bunch of different types of cleaners to take the grime off your vinyl siding you likely already have what you need in your laundry room. Take a third of a cup of powdered laundry detergent and mix it with one gallon of water. Next, place about 2/3rds cup of TSP cleaner in the mixture. TSP is trisodium phosphate, which is white, granular or crystalline solid an inorganic compound that dissolves in water to produce an alkaline solution. Its an excellent stain remover and degreaser that will help your laundry detergent and water mixture cut through the toughest grime. Be careful when working with TSP, because it is a toxic substance that must be handled with care because it can be harmful when in contact with skin and to the environment.
How To Remove Mold From Vinyl Siding
Q: My house is 25 years old. Its covered with vinyl siding. Every summer, mold and mildew develop on the north side of my house. Every few years I remove it. Is there some coating I can apply to the siding to stop the mold and mildew from reappearing? Its aggravating. What about some sort of paint? Im open to any and all ideas. Robert C., Sylvania, Ohio
A: I have the same exact issue at my own home, although its siding is fiber cement. You may have black mold and mildew or green algae growing on the north side of your home if you live north of the equator. The north exposure provides the perfect conditions for this organic growth.
Heres the bad news: Theres no magic paint or coating Im aware of that will keep your siding free of mildew, mold and algae. These three living organisms are just about everywhere. They just need two things to grow: water and food. The northern exposure of houses provides ample amounts of water.
Because direct sunlight doesn’t wash north-facing walls, water there is often slower to evaporate. Morning dew can and does form on all the surfaces of the house when the surface temperature drops below the dew point of the air.
Dust and other pollutants can also be food for some of these organisms. Realize that food is everywhere, even though its invisible. Old oil-based paints were made from alkyd oil resins. These oils are scrumptious food for mildew and mold.
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How To Clean Vinyl Siding With A Pressure Washer
If you have a large home, then youll get tired of the long process of cleaning vinyl siding by hand. In this case, its far better to opt to pressure wash your home. Heres how to clean vinyl siding with a pressure washer or power washer.
Youll notice that this man isnt cleaning vinyl siding with a cloth or a long-handled brush. Instead, hes using a pressure washer to clean vinyl siding. His job will undoubtedly be easier and take less time. If you can afford to do so, why not get a pressure washer similar to the one hes using? Its lightweight and can save you time and energy. Building pressure washer by Leo Reynolds / CC by 2.0
If you dont have a pressure washer or power washer, you can buy or rent one. Youll save energy and time. Plus, youll get great results. Start at the bottom and work your way up.
The downside is that if you dont know what youre doing you can damage your siding. If the vinyl manufacturer doesnt recommend that you pressure wash the siding, then dont.
Otherwise, if its okay to pressure wash your home, then its time to get cracking. Just make sure you follow the recommendations regarding the amount of pressure to use to clean vinyl siding.
How To Clean Vinyl Siding And Get Rid Of Mold And Mildew
When asking for some piece of advice from experts on how to clean vinyl siding and what type of maintenance it requires, probably, you will hear only good news. Well, vinyl really has an array of advantages, and this type of material is easy to clean. It doesnt require any processing against insects like in wooden options or applying anti-corrosion spray if installing aluminum panels. Thats one of the reasons why vinyl siding is widely recognized by customers around the globe.
However, like timber or aluminum siding, vinyl cladding also has its drawbacks or, it would be better to say, not its strongest points. The fact is that, due to its properties, siding is susceptible to the accumulation of dirt, lichens, grease, soot, and algae on the surface, which certainly affects its characteristics, and not only aesthetics but also durability.
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