How To Remove Mildew From Wood Siding?

Our home’s interiors, such as wood and concrete, are particularly vulnerable to mildew. In seven easy stages, you’ll learn how to remove mildew from wood siding.

Your house’s first line of defense against the weather is its siding. Mold and mildew form on the sidings over time as a result of these conditions.

How to Tell If It’s Mold or Mildew

Mold and mildew both thrive in moist, gloomy environments, yet they are very different organisms. When it comes to mold, it’s much easier to see if you’re looking for it. It has a light brown or grayish-white tint to it. The powdery form of mildew is found on the exterior of your home.

It’s a little more difficult to remove mold. A unpleasant odor could be the first indicator. It comes in a variety of hues and is a bit fuzzier in texture.

How to Remove Mildew from Wood and Vinyl Siding

1. First, cover any plants in the vicinity of the area where the mildew will be removed.

2. Put on safety gear.

3. A professional mildew remover or a homemade mix of 1/3 cup laundry detergent, 1 quart fresh household chlorine bleach, and 3 quarts of warm water are your options. Adding washing soda or a cleanser containing trisodium phosphate can also be helpful.

4. Test a small region of the solution.

5. Apply the solution to the siding and allow it to settle for approximately 10 minutes. After that, use the solution and a soft brush to thoroughly clean the area. Work your way up from the bottom. Finish by running your hose from the top to the bottom.

Mold Vs. Mildew

The fungi that cause mold and mildew seem quite similar, making it difficult to distinguish between the two. The wood sidings of your home may have been infested with these invasive plants.

In general, mold is slimy or fuzzy and can come in a variety of hues. If mold is allowed to grow unchecked, it can cause structural damage to your home and health issues for you and your family.

In its early stages, this form of fungi is invisible to the naked eye. Check for mold if you notice a musty and unpleasant odor, especially in areas with a lot of moisture.

Check out this post to learn how long it takes for mold to degrade wood and get started.

In contrast to mold, mildew tends to be fluffy or powdery and can appear in a variety of shades of white, gray or yellow. It is most commonly seen on plants and crops, however it can also be found in indoor settings.

Coughing, sore throats, and headaches can all be caused by mildew. Fortunately, because it only grows on surfaces, it’s much easier to keep clean and poses less health threats.

Check out this post to learn more about what powdery mildew looks like.

Steps To Get Rid Of Mildew In Wood Siding

When compared to mold, mildew is less exhausting. Just seven simple steps and your wood sidings will once again be free and fresh.

Step #1. Cover the plants

Plastic or other non-penetrable material should be used to cover any surrounding plants in the vicinity of pollution. It’s because they’re susceptible to mildew.

Step #2. Wear protective clothing

However, mildew isn’t just a problem for plants. Wearing protective eyewear, a mask, and gloves will keep you safe.

Step #3. Choose or create your mildew remover

A decent mildew remover can be found on the market in a few different forms. However, if you’re looking for something simple and inexpensive, you can just utilize the items you already have at home.

In order to make a mildew cleaner at home, mix 1 quart of household chlorine, 1/3 cup of all-purpose detergent, and 3 quarts of warm water. For even better cleaning results, use washing soda or a cleanser containing trisodium phosphate, if available.

Step #4. Test the solution

Your solution should be tested out on a tiny section of wood siding to ensure it works. To remedy this, add some of the other ingredients and give it another go.

Step #5. Apply the solution

Use a spray bottle to apply the solution to the wood sidings. Allow it to sit for around ten minutes to allow the top to absorb.

Step #6. Scrub the wood sidings

To remove the mildew spores, use a soft brush or sponge to scrape the surface. Start at the bottom and work your way up the wood sidings.

Step #7. Rinse and dry

Rinse the wood sidings with water using a garden hose once they’ve been completely cleaned. Let it dry thoroughly before moving forward.

Preventing mildew in the future

Preventing mildew from sprouting in the first place is the best strategy for dealing with it. Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Your wood sidings will last longer if you keep the branches of trees and plants trimmed regularly. The most crucial component in mildew growth is to keep an eye on the moisture level.
2. Keep an eye out for signs of fungal growth in your home on a regular basis. Take a few minutes to stroll around your house and look for any signs of damage.
3. Reseal or paint your wood siding every two to five years, or whenever you see any noticeable cracks or chipping.
4. Maintain the appearance of your wood siding by performing routine cleanings. As dirt and dust accumulate on the siding, mildew can take hold.

You can use a cleaning solution to help you get the job done. Using a stiff brush and plenty of water, scrub and thoroughly rinse the wood siding to remove the product.

How to Remove Mildew from Brick

Once a year, use the spray nozzle on your hose to give your brick a good spraying. You’ll need to use a light cleaning solution if you see mildew growing in the cracks. A solution of one cup of bleach and one gallon of water should be used to clean the brick. Scrub the mildew with a firm (not synthetic or wire) brush.

How to Remove Mildew from Stone

To remove mildew from stone, all you need is a mild soap solution. Clean water should be used to rinse the stone after it has been cleaned with a cloth or scrubber.

How to Choose Paint that Is Resistant to Mildew

Choosing paint that is resistant to mildew when painting your home will make things a little easier for you. Exterior enamels are the least vulnerable, while latex paints are the most vulnerable. Paints with a linseed oil base are particularly prone to deterioration due to this problem.

How to Prevent Mildew in the Future

The best course of action is to keep mildew at bay in the first place.

It is important to keep your trees and bushes trimmed so that water cannot get into your siding.

At least once a month, walk the perimeter of your home and assess it for damage. If you spot mildew, get rid of it as soon as possible so it doesn’t have a chance to spread.

Keep your siding clean in the fall to avoid the growth of mildew.

Call New Life Restoration in San Luis Obispo at 805-937-9836 or send us an email to obtain an estimate if you’re too busy, concerned, or unable to eradicate the mildew on your own.

How can I prevent mildew on my house?

There is a link between humidity and mildew.

Keeping your home’s exterior well-ventilated and quick-drying is the best way to keep mildew at bay.

What can you do to prevent mildew from forming in your home or business?

• If the siding gets wet from rain or dew, arrange the landscaping so that natural breezes can flow near the home and dry it.
• Keep bushes away from the walls.
• Make sure your roof has some overhang by installing gutters and downspouts as well.
• Consider air flow patterns on northerly exposures when sunlight is not available to aid in drying, especially in the winter months.
• Using a proper primer and semi- or gloss latex/oil paint on siding that has a propensity to absorb rain or dew is advised.
• It’s best to use a water-resistant (typically paired with a wood preservative) finish on wood siding that has been coloured or let to weather naturally. Hardware and paint stores have these items.

To remove mildew from wood siding, hardi-plan, or stucco, use the following solution:

• 1/3 cup of washing detergent, any kind
• chlorine bleach in a one gallon container (must be fresh)
• 3 gallons of lukewarm water
• Additional cleaning can be accomplished with the addition of an alkaline cleanser, such as washing soda or a cleaner containing trisodium phosphate. 12 to 2/3 cup of water can be used in place of the recommended amount.

To begin, use a soft brush to gently scrub the affected area. Don’t get water on shrubs or other vegetation. Rinse well when you’ve finished cleaning.

Alternatively, you can get a mildew remover/cleaner from a business.

Make sure you wear long sleeves, goggles, and rubber gloves to protect yourself.

If you want to get rid of mildew on wood, you can use the same methods.

Repainting siding after removing mildew

Choose a mildew-resistant paint if your siding needs to be repainted.

Latex paints, especially when linseed oil base primer is used, are the most sensitive to mildew. Flat latex paints are more prone to mildew than acrylic gloss and semi-gloss latex paints.

Exterior enamels are the safest bet. A mildewcide can also be found in special paints.

When it comes to picking the right paint and primer to decrease mildew on your home, your local hardware store or paint supplier can help.

To remove mildew from brick:

Spray your brick with a water hose and spray nozzle once a year to keep it clean. The brick can be cleaned using a stiff brush and a solution of one cup of bleach combined with a gallon of water.

The brick will become discolored if you use wire or synthetic brushes. Use a brush made of natural fibers instead. Make sure the brick is soaked in bleach solution before washing.

To remove mildew from stone:

Use a mild soap solution to wash off stone walls, fences, and other structures. With clean water, wash thoroughly.

Conclusion

Maintaining the aesthetic appeal of your property can be achieved in a number of ways. Fungal contamination can cause serious health problems for you and your family, therefore it’s important to protect your home.

Your wood siding will appear and perform better for a longer time now that you know how to remove mildew from it. Now that your home has been totally protected, you may rest easy.