How to Prevent Mold on Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is undeniably growing in popularity, and with good reason too. It’s attractive and durable- plus it holds up better than wood siding. Vinyl siding is made to withstand cracks, chips and fading. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get mold on vinyl siding.
As sturdy as vinyl siding is, it’s not resistant to pesty mold and mildew. In order to keep your beautiful vinyl siding in tip-top shape, there is a bit of upkeep involved.
Luckily it’s easy to prevent mold on vinyl siding with just a few simple preventative measures.
Many Factors Can Lead to Mold Growth
First and foremost, it is important to keep in mind that mildew and algae feed on sap, dust, sugar and other debris attached to siding. Mold grows best in a shady, moist environment, so certain elements surrounding your siding can attribute to mold growth.
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 you’ve 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 Deciduous, as this siding maybe more susceptible to mold and mildew growth.
Inspect and Adjust: What to Check If You See Mold on Your Siding
If you discover that your siding has a mold problem, take this as a sign that something needs adjusting.
Check Your Ventilation Ducts for Moisture
Any moisture coming from your clothes dryer exhaust will produce steam, causing mold and mildew to form. Check areas above your duct vent to make sure moisture is not accumulating to prevent mold on vinyl siding.
Maintain Rain Gutters and Drainpipes
Any sort of water dripping from a faulty gutter or broken drainpipe can cause mold to grow. Prevent mold on vinyl siding by inspecting your gutters and drainpipes for leaks. Avoid leakage and overflowing of water from your gutters by cleaning out any leaves, dirt or debris.
Modify Your Sprinklers
An easy way to prevent mold problems associated with moisture is to keep sprinklers away from your siding. If you have sprinklers in your yard, make sure that they are directed away from your vinyl siding. You can still use sprinklers to water any plants up against your siding, just make sure that the sprinklers are pointed so water does not hit the siding.
Mold Removal
Learn to take the right steps after discovering mold on your vinyl siding.
Inspect Your Siding
Perform regular inspections to make sure your vinyl siding is in good condition. When inspecting, be sure to pay close attention to potential problem areas such as shade or areas exposed to moisture.
It doesn’t take much time or effort to lap around your home looking for mold or mildew- plus catching it early will save you plenty of headache later.
Remove Mold ASAP
If you do discover mold and mildew on your vinyl siding, you must take proper measures to clean the siding promptly. It’s important to address the mold problem with urgency to ensure that it doesn’t spread and get out of hand. Mold and mildew can have harmful effects on your home’s health as well as your own.
Clean Your Siding Several Times a Year
It’s important to wash your siding regularly to prevent mold on vinyl siding. Cleaning vinyl siding is easy to do and can be accomplished with tools you already have. Simply wash your siding a few times a year with a garden hose and a homemade cleaning solution to keep it looking its’ best. Water combined with vinegar, bleach or soap/laundry detergent will do the trick.
A 70/30 water to vinegar ratio is an awesome mixture to dissolve tough mold and mildew. Go ahead and use a long-handled scrub brush with your solution for tougher stains and grime.
Before applying a chemical solution to the siding of your home, you need to water the plants around it. While the hydration of your plants may seem irrelevant to your vinyl siding, watering plants nearby is actually for their safety. By wetting down the plants near the house, you are diluting the soil and preventing them from soaking up the harmful chemicals in bleach or vinegar.
Use a pressure washer with caution, as a pressure washer used improperly can drive water behind the siding. Vinyl siding can be effectively cleaned without the use of a pressure washer.
Get That Mold Off Your Vinyl Siding
Learning how to prevent mold on vinyl siding and taking action before mold forms is essential because lets face it- no one wants damage to their beautiful exterior.
It’s time to evaluate your own home. Take the proper mold prevention measures and protect your home because not only is mold unsightly, but left untreated it can become a hazard to your health. With proper attention and treatment, you can effectively keep your siding clean and attractive.
