Siding made of vinyl does not require constant maintenance, but over time it can develop green mold on its surface. Mold can appear on many types of siding, including vinyl siding, and mold on the siding can get inside and affect materials like insulation and drywall. Mold anywhere inside or outside your home must be removed immediately to prevent serious damage or related health effects.
How do mold and mildew develop on vinyl siding?
If you’ve noticed green or grey matter on your vinyl siding, that is a sign that it has developed mold growth. One of the reasons that mold develops is because dirt accumulates on the surface of your siding. It makes your siding look dirty and can lead to mold because the fungus feeds on the dirt and the dust that is on the surface. Both evergreen and deciduous trees release ultra fine aerosols of sugars at different times of the year that create tiny droplets of sap or sugar on the siding which mold also uses as food.
Because mold feeds on dirt, dust, sugars, and other things attached to the siding, it can easily survive on its surface.
How do I remove mold and mildew from vinyl siding?
If you’ve noticed that your vinyl siding has mold or mildew, you should get it removed promptly. Here the steps you should take:
- Pressure washing:
It is always best to have your siding pressure washed professionally as otherwise you can damage your siding or blast a hole in the vinyl materials which can cause dents and warping. If you are not experienced in using a pressure washer, you may also leave streaks or water marks on your siding. If you do decide that you want to pressure wash your siding yourself, make sure to use the widest setting and point straight at the siding, and not at an upward angle. You should constantly move the nozzle and don’t focus too long on one spot as you can get water under the siding which can cause additional issues. It is best to use hot water mixed with a mold-killing agent which will help remove the mold growth. If you use this type of cleaner, it should take you some time before you need to pressure wash your siding again.
- Make your own vinyl siding cleaner:
If you would like to make your own vinyl siding cleaner, you can use water and vinegar and of course some elbow grease. A 30% white vinegar and 70% water mix should give you an ideal all-purpose vinyl siding cleaner which will help you remove any light mold and mildew stains. If you do have mold that will not come off, you may have to use a stronger cleaning solution. You can use 1 gallon of water, 1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent, 2/3 cup powdered household cleaner, and 1 quart of liquid laundry bleach. This should help remove any tough stains on your vinyl siding with some tough scrubbing.
When using diluted chlorine bleach, you should be aware that even though it may remove the mildew from your vinyl siding, it does remove it permanently so in other words, it can come back again. You should also be aware the chlorine can damage your foliage and stain your clothing, so take the proper precaution if you use it as a cleaner.
You can also use oxygen bleach (hydrogen peroxide). It is less volatile than chlorine and it will help remove mildew even below the surface as well as algae, dirt, and even oxidized paint without harming plants or clothing. You can buy this type of cleaner at any local hardware store and put it into your garden sprayer or a pressure-washer to clean the mildew from your vinyl siding.
- Take care of any damage to your siding:
If you see any cracks or missing pieces of your siding while you are washing it, you should make sure to resolve the problem right away. Over time, water can get through the gaps and ruin the integrity of your home’s structure. You should always make sure that you leave siding repairs to a professional so that you do not damage it if you are unsure of how to repair it.
How do I prevent mold from appearing on vinyl siding?
It is always best to try and prevent mold growth on your siding instead of trying to clean it later. The best way to do so is to have as much sun as possible shine on the exterior of your home and keep your trees and shrubs trimmed and tidy to help the sunshine come through.
You should make sure to always monitor your siding for mold growth and react quicky to remove it to prevent significant damage. It is always helpful to avoid conditions that encourage mold growth such as darkness and dampness. If you do encounter mold growth on your vinyl siding, you may be able to clean it yourself or with the help of a professional, but make sure to react right away to prevent it from spreading and causing additional damage.
Professional Mold Removal
Mold growth can cause major damage to your property. Sometimes it is caused by increased moisture levels in the environment which with time can eat away at surfaces and building materials, resulting in property damage. It can also cause health issues for the occupants of your property. Mold on your vinyl siding is an ugly sight, but can be resolved easily with our trained professionals, who will clean your siding and ensure it looks like new. We will also make sure to treat your siding to prevent future mold growth.
If you’ve experienced mold at your home or business, reach out to ServiceMaster Fire & Water Clean up Services so we can help. You can learn more about our mold removal services in Lancaster, PA by calling us at (844) 805-1107.
