Causes Of Mold Growth Outdoors. How to Clean Mold from Wood Deck?

Scrub the area with any household cleaners you have on hand. Mold can be removed from a deck using this method. Mold thrives in cool and wet environments, so your deck is an ideal area for this fungus to grow.

Mold On Your Deck

Mold will eventually grow on your deck because it is constantly exposed to moisture and the elements. In most cases, mold is only an eyesore with no health consequences, but you should still have it checked and take the appropriate precautions to be safe.

Green mold

This sort of mold is the most frequent on wood, so keep an eye out for it. A damp, moist and shady environment is ideal for this plant.

Several species of green mold, such as Cladosporium, Penicillin, and Aspergillum, can be found. They’re all the same shade of green, almost like algae. The spores from green mold aren’t as dangerous when they’re outside, but you should take precautions nevertheless.

Black mold

You should be more concerned about black mold than you already are.. The Stachybotrys chartarum fungus can cause severe respiratory problems if you inhale its spores. This mold isn’t frequently found on decks.

In the presence of moisture, this mold develops on cellulose-rich woods like gypsum board and fiberboard. So, be on the lookout for black mold if you have any of these materials on your deck.

What Is Green Algae?

What distinguishes it from moss, mold, and mildew?

In damp, gloomy environments, algae forms a slimy, green layer on wood. Moss, on the other hand, is softer and fluffier to the touch. As greenish-black streaks, mold is a fungus that grows on wood. If left untreated, mold spores represent a health hazard to humans and their pets.

Algae, moss, and mold all pose a threat to your deck and should be dealt with as soon as possible.

Why It’s Important to Remove Algae From Your Deck

Green algae is not only unsightly, but it can also be dangerous. To avoid structural damage and splintering, it’s important to address the algae problem very away. In addition to being exceedingly slippery, algae is also a health hazard, especially if it covers your deck’s stairs.

Your average stain will come back in a matter of weeks if you don’t properly remove algae. Remove any green spots you find as soon as possible, since it spreads swiftly.

What Factors Aid Algae Growth?

Algae can grow on your deck, patio, and wooden outdoor furniture if you don’t know what causes it.

However, algae does not grow overnight in a dark and moist area. As a result, preventing your wood deck from turning green is a doable task with regular care. Dirt and moisture are the most important variables to keep in mind.

• Keep your deck free of debris that could harbor mold growth, algae, and other microorganisms, which can impede the natural process of photosynthesis in the wood. Debris from your deck should be removed on a regular basis by sweeping or blowing.

• Sweeping alone may not be enough if your deck is naturally shadowed by trees or your residence. To keep algae and moss at bay, you’ll need to deep clean your deck once a year.

• When it rains, does water collect on your deck and sit there? Even while most decks are designed to enable water to drain, your planks may be sealed or uneven, making it impossible for water to flow through the gaps between them. Sweep snow off your deck to keep it as dry as possible in the winter.

Cleaning Solutions that Remove Algae

There are a slew of alternatives available to you when it comes to cleaning algae from your hardwood deck. Bleach is a typical suggestion, but it can change the color of your deck and possibly damage the metal bolts that hold it together.. In addition to all of the above, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not suggest bleach for use in the treatment of algae and mold.

Here are a few recommendations for other ways to remove algae off surfaces:

• It is possible to remove moss and algae from decks using a variety of various treatments on the market today. “Wet it and forget it” cleaning products are common, however they are more expensive than homemade cleaning treatments.

• Hydrogen peroxide is another household cleaner that you may already have on hand. Hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, doesn’t actually destroy algae; rather, it forms a frothy surface that lifts the algae from the surface, making it easier to remove.

• An all-purpose natural cleaning agent, white vinegar can be used indoors and out. To get rid of algae, mold, and mildew from your deck, just mix one gallon of water with one cup of white vinegar and give it a good scrub.

• For those who don’t want to use any chemicals on their deck, a pressure washer can be used to blast algae away. Just watch out for damaging the delicate wood if you use too much pressure.

Causes Of Mold Growth Outdoors

Mold grows best in a damp environment, so a deck that is frequently exposed to rain or snow is an ideal breeding ground. Mold infestations can be triggered by environmental causes such as leaf litter, pollen in the air, and fertilizer overspray. Mold will have an easier time growing on wood that hasn’t been properly sealed.

Mold spores thrive in areas with little exposure to sunshine, so keep an eye out for this problem if you have a deck. Why does green mold grow? Find out in this article.

How to Clean Mold from Wood Deck

To remove mold from painted or stained lumber:

1. Make sure that the region isn’t too wet. If necessary, wear gloves and/or goggles to protect yourself.
2. Using a vacuum, brush or shop vacuum, remove any remaining dirt or debris from the area and dispose of it as soon as possible.
3. You may make your own wood deck cleanser solution by combining 1 tablespoon of Dawn® or Joy® dishwashing detergent with 1/4 gallon of warm tap water in a clean bucket.
4. Make use of a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush to thoroughly clean the afflicted region of your deck.
5. Use a clean, dry rag to clean the area.
6. Spray the afflicted region with undiluted vinegar after filling a spray bottle with it.
7. Wait an hour, then use a clean rag to dry the surface again.

To remove mold from raw, untreated lumber:

1. Make sure that the region isn’t too wet. If necessary, wear gloves and/or goggles to protect yourself.
2. Using a vacuum, brush or shop vacuum, remove any remaining dirt or debris from the area and dispose of it as soon as possible.
3. In a clean bucket, mix 2 fluid ounces of dishwashing detergent (such Dawn® or Joy®), 500 ml (about 1/10th of a US gallon) of bleach, and 1/4 gallon of warm tap water.
4. Rinse and sanitize the mold-infested area with a scrub brush or sponge.
5. Allow the surrounding region to breathe naturally for the duration of the day.
6. If the mold or discoloration is still present, use fine-grit sandpaper to clear the surface that the mold is growing on.

How to Clean Mold from Composite Decking:

1. If the mold or discoloration is still present, use fine-grit sandpaper to clear the surface that the mold is growing on.
2. If the mold or discoloration persists, sand the affected area with fine-grit sandpaper.
3. Scrub the affected area with a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush until the mold is gone.
4. Use a clean, dry rag to clean the area. Pressure washers can damage your composite decking, so be careful when using one.
5. Spray the afflicted region with undiluted vinegar after filling a spray bottle with it.
6. Wait an hour, then use a clean rag to dry the surface again.

How to Remove Moss and Algae from Wood Deck

Remove moss and algae from wood that has been stained, painted, or left untreated by:

1. In a clean bucket, combine one gallon of warm tap water and three-quarters of a cup of chlorine bleach for a homemade deck cleaner solution.
2. Add an extra 13 cup of ammonia-free laundry detergent powder to your cleaning solution if your deck is particularly overrun by moss or green algae.
3. Pour the solution over the moss and/or algae on your deck and let it soak for about 20 minutes before scrubbing.
4. Grabbing a shop broom or hard-bristled scrub brush will remove moss and algae from the deck boards.
5. Remove any remaining solution and moss by rinsing the wood with a garden hose or running it under running water. Use a fanning nozzle on your power washer to avoid damaging your paint, stain, or wood.
6. Allow the air to dry out the area entirely.

How to remove moss and algae from composite decking:

1. In a clean bucket, combine one gallon of warm tap water and three-quarters of a cup of chlorine bleach for a homemade deck cleaner solution.
2. Add an extra 13 cup of ammonia-free laundry detergent powder to your cleaning solution if your deck is particularly overrun by moss or green algae.
3. Allow the solution to sit for about 20 minutes on your deck, making sure to cover any moss or algae.
4. A hard-bristled scrub brush or shop broom can be used to remove the moss and algae off the surface of the deck boards.
5. Using a hose or tap water, wash away any remaining cleaning solution and moss from the surface. Pressure washers can damage your composite decking, so be careful when using one.
6. Allow the air to dry out the area entirely.

How to Remove Mold From Stained or Painted Wood

Despite the fact that mold thrives on exposed wood, old paint or stain that is deteriorating might allow black mold to grow. Using a mild dishwashing detergent and warm water, you can remove mold from a stained or painted surface.

Three or four tablespoons per gallon is all that is needed. Scrub with the solution until it’s completely gone. When cleaning stained or painted wood, do not use bleach because it might cause the wood to turn yellow or brown.

With painted decks, a pressure washer isn’t the best option because it can quickly remove the paint. Vinegar can be used to kill black mold roots and prevent new development after the area has been cleaned.

How to Get Rid of Mold Under a Deck

If you have a two-tiered deck and have to stare at the black mold on the underside every time you use the lower portion, it can be an eyesore.

The removal of this mold necessitates the use of a ladder and strenuous work above the head.

The best approach to clean the underside of a deck is with a pressure washer, but be careful not to damage the wood by applying too much pressure.

Using a garden sprayer and a cleaning solution is an additional option. Mold can be effectively removed from surfaces using a solution containing oxygen bleach, which, unlike chlorine bleach, does not harm plants.

Apply the solution, scrub the mold with a scrub brush attached to the end of a pole, and rinse with a standard garden hose.

Be aware that washing the underside of a deck has additional risks. As you scrub the underside of the deck, water and cleaning solutions will be dripping on you as you work from a ladder.

As a result, cleaning the underside of a deck requires protective goggles and gear, as you will undoubtedly become soaked.

Conclusion

Having mold on your deck is an eye bother to say the least. If you don’t take care of green and black mold, it might cause serious health issues. When you know how to remove mold from a deck, you’ll be able to maintain a spotless front yard and a lovely home.