How To Clean Algae And Mold From Vinyl Siding

If your home is covered in vinyl siding, you get to enjoy it for several months without the need for maintenance, however... as the months and years pass by, nasty green mold can become attached on the surface of your vinyl siding and grow there, giving you vinyl siding mold problems that look rather difficult to solve. Fortunately, it's easier to treat these stains than mold growth inside the home, and you can choose to take care of it yourself or get the professionals to do it for you. No-body likes mold, especially on your house where everyone can see it. It's important that you get rid of any mold as soon as possible because it can be harmful to your healthand cause damages to your home.

What's This Green Stuff?

Have you ever seen vinyl siding mold problems? That's when you see green or grey stuff all over the vinyl siding of your house. It's not a pretty sight, you are looking at an old enemy - mold, at it again!

One of the main reasons you might see mildew or mold on vinyl siding is that dirt has accumulated on the surface on your siding. Not only does that make the siding look dirty, but it can also lead to mildew because fungus often feeds on dirt and dust.

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 you'll see thousands of tiny droplets of sap or sugar on your car. This is yummy food for mildew and algae!

What's the best way to clean vinyl siding?

option 1. pressure washing

One option for cleaning vinyl siding mold problems is pressure washing. This is best if done professionally because improper pressure washing techniques can damage your vinyl siding, blasting a hole through the vinyl material causing dents and warped areas. Concentrated pressure can also leave streaks or water marks across the front of vinyl siding.

If you decide to do the pressure washing yourself, make sure to use the widest setting on the pressure washer, and point straight at the siding, not at an upward angle. Move the nozzle constantly and don't focus too long on one spot or you risk forcing water underneath your siding which can cause you even bigger headaches

Pressurized hot water mixed with a mold-killing agent (such as this vinyl siding cleaner that's specially designed for cleaning up mold) does wonders at cleaning off that nasty mold growth.

Some cleaning products have chemical agents that kill mold before it has a chance to grow. Using a cleaner like that will keep the mold away and allow for longer periods between your home siding cleanings.

option 2. homemade vinyl siding cleaner

Water And Vinegar Solution + Some Elbow Grease. 30% white vinegar mixed with 70% water, makes a great all-purpose vinyl siding cleaner that will remove light mold and mildew stains. If your mold is not budging a stronger cleaning solution might be needed. For a stronger homemade siding cleaner, mix together the following recipe:

1 gallon of water
1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent
2/3 cup powdered household cleaner
1 quart of liquid laundry bleach

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 don't get bleach on your hands.

LET THERE BE SUN!

Mold grows in dark, damp places. Combat mold's survival by allowing as much direct sunlight to shine on the exterior of your home as possible. That means trimming trees and keeping shrubs and other foliage tidy in order to help that natural remedy shine through.

IN CONCLUSION...

Preventing mold on your siding begins by monitoring and reducing the conditions that encourage mold growth in the first place. Keep a keen eye on your home's siding for any signs of mold, and be prepared to take action to prevent a major outbreak. Stopping that mold before it becomes a problem will make all the hard labor worth it. For serious mold problems, don't hesitate to call in the professionals at Franca Services. We are Franca with you from the start, we will evaluate the condition of your siding and recommend the best solution. Sometimes a little cleaning is all you need, sometimes a siding replacement is recommended.

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