What Causes Mold On Outside Of House? Troubleshooting Guide

Molds can grow just about anywhere, so finding them outside your home isn’t unusual. So, what exactly is it that causes mold to grow on the exterior of a building?

It doesn’t matter if you’re inside or outside, molds thrive in moist and chilly conditions. Molds can’t reproduce and spread unless certain conditions are met.

Mold colonies require a food source, specifically an organic material, a location with moisture, and little to no warm sunshine to survive. Molds disseminate themselves by dispersing their spores into the atmosphere. Molds can thrive in any environment that meets these requirements.

It’s the season of mold growth when it’s always raining or overcast. Molds can thrive in your home’s siding, which serves as a barrier from the environment. Getting too close to the landscape, certain areas covered in shade, and primarily on the northern side of the house’s siding is where you’ll most likely find a mold colony developing.

Why Is Exterior Mold A Problem?

Several factors make this a concern.

1. Mold that grows outside does not necessarily stay there. It’s possible that mold growing on your roof will eventually infiltrate your attic.
2. There are health hazards associated with exposure to outdoor mold. In fact, the dangers are far lower than with internal mold. Even if you spend a lot of time outside near your home, the concentration of mold there will be lower than it would be in the air inside your home. That doesn’t imply that mold on the exterior of a building can’t pose a health hazard. Your health will be jeopardized if you spend time outside in places where there is a lot of mold. Mold in play areas is especially dangerous for children because of the increased risk of health problems associated with exposure to mold.
3. Mold can do serious harm to your property, regardless of where it grows. Mold can destroy some materials more than others. Over time, mold will eat away at wood in a destructive way. With enough time, mold will ruin almost any substance that it comes into contact with. You can learn more about the dangers of mold by visiting this page.
4. Having mold in your home might lower the value of it.
5. In addition to not liking mold, most homeowners don’t enjoy the way it looks when it’s growing on the outside of their house.

What Causes Outdoor Molds?

On wet and dismal days when the sun isn’t shining, outdoor molds can be found. Molds will eventually grow if the right conditions are present, so long as those conditions do not change. Is there a scientific explanation for why outdoor molds form?

1. Damp places

In order to thrive, mold needs a dark, moist environment that is shielded from direct sunlight. Cold, moist, and out of the way of the sun are ideal habitats for mold growth. Molds don’t need sunshine because they are fungi, which don’t photosynthesise. In fact, sunlight would kill the mold and its spores.

2. Organic material to feed on

Fungi, unlike plants that use sunlight to produce sugar or starch, require a source of energy from organic material to sustain their development and reproduction. That’s why mold prefers to grow on materials that it can easily eat.

An inorganic material can only support the growth of a mold colony if organic material is linked to it. Outside your home, a spreading vine or a leaking pipe can provide the perfect environment for the formation of mold.

3. Lack of sunlight

The fact that molds do not photosynthesize means that they do not rely on sunshine for their energy. A mold colony might develop in a shaded area or in a spot where the sun doesn’t shine regularly.

The key to keeping mold out of your home is to know where it can grow. On get you started, here’s a guide to spotting water damage in wood.

How to Prevent Mold and Mildew on Siding

1. Remove sources of moisture.

Your siding can be damaged by the following sources of moisture:

• Close proximity of trees and plants to your house. Siding moisture is prevented from evaporating due to these landscaping items’ ability to block sunlight.
• Vines or moss that are able to climb. Keep your house free of ivy, vines, and moss. Plants such as this one obstruct the light and attract water, which deteriorates any exterior cladding.
• Overflow or leakage from the gutters. If your gutters are blocked or poorly sloped, water damage can occur, resulting in structural damage to your home’s siding, roof, and foundation. As soon as possible, you should deal with this type of problem to avoid extensive damage to your home.
• Improperly-placed sprinkler heads. Sprinkler heads installed incorrectly or too close to your home might cause water to run off your siding instead of your lovely lawn, leading to the growth of mold and mildew. Make sure your siding isn’t in the sprinkler system’s splash zone by checking the system’s placement and coverage.
• Ventilation for a dryer. To prevent mildew and mold from forming in your dryer vent, be sure to keep it clean and clear of debris. You should ensure that your clothes dryer is able to vent into an area that isn’t contained or blocked by greenery so that the extra moisture may be disbursed.

2. Stay on top of siding maintenance.

Preventing damage from occurring is made possible with regular siding maintenance.

• Make sure your siding is in good condition. Take a trip around your house every now and again to inspect the siding (and, while you’re at it, the roof and foundation).) Mold and mildew growth can be halted before it has a chance to spread.
• Make sure your wood siding is properly sealed or painted. To keep it safe from the effects of moisture, wood siding needs to be maintained on a regular basis. To keep it looking its best for as long as possible, reseal and repaint it every few years. A soft-washing technique can be used by a professional to clean your wood siding and remove grime and mold.
• Clean your exterior. Keeping siding clean is critical, so get rid of any debris, mold, or mildew as soon as you can. Cleaning your home’s siding with a pressure washer from a Best Pick provider can ensure that it is not damaged in the process.

How Can You Prevent Damage From Mold On Exterior Of Home Surfaces?

• It is important to inspect and maintain rain gutters to ensure that they are free of debris and in good working order.
• Maintaining a clean and well-maintained roof is essential.
• When painting, choose mold-resistant paint, which can be found in a wide range of colors at most home improvement and hardware stores.
• When possible, use materials that are less vulnerable to mold damage than wood, such as brick or stone.

Why Is Exterior Mold A Problem?

Several factors make this a concern.

1. Mold that grows outside does not necessarily stay there. It’s possible that mold growing on your roof will eventually infiltrate your attic.
2. There are health hazards associated with exposure to outdoor mold. In fact, the dangers are far lower than with internal mold. Even if you spend a lot of time outside near your home, the concentration of mold there will be lower than it would be in the air inside your home. That doesn’t imply that mold on the exterior of a building can’t pose a health hazard. Your health will be jeopardized if you spend time outside in places where there is a lot of mold. Mold in play areas is especially dangerous for children because of the increased risk of health problems associated with exposure to mold.
3. Mold can do serious harm to your property, regardless of where it grows. Mold can destroy some materials more than others. Over time, mold will eat away at wood in a destructive way. With enough time, mold will ruin almost any substance that it comes into contact with. To learn more about the dangers of mold in the home, click here.
4. Having mold in your home might lower the value of it.
5. However, many homeowners loathe the way mold grows on their homes’ facades.

Removing Mold On Exterior Of Home Surfaces

To remove mold from the exterior of your home, you must know what kind of material it’s growing on. If at all feasible, get in touch with the company that built your house (or the one that made your siding, if you had new siding installed) and inquire about the best technique to get rid of mold. Manufacturers are not only able to provide vital information, but they can also void any warranties if you use the improper technique or mold removal product.

A mold removal product is then applied to the exterior of the home after the exterior surfaces have been cleaned with a power washer (though this may harm some types of siding, which is another reason to consult a professional or the manufacturer of your home before getting started). Rhino Hide’s UltraMean2 is our go-to product for eradicating mold from homes’ exteriors.

Even though we’re not sure why it’s named after a rhinoceros, this mold and mildew remover works wonders on a wide range of materials such as wooden clapboard and brick. It not only gets rid of the mold, but it also gets rid of the stains that mold tends to leave. Rhino Hide’s UltraMean2 can be found here. Keep in mind that you should always verify with your home’s manufacturer or an expert before utilizing this product.

Conclusion

Knowing what causes mold outside of your house can help you prepare for them both inside and outside your house. It’s a win-win situation. Molds are a nuisance that every homeowner despises since they are both unsightly and dangerous.

In order to keep mold from growing on the outside of your house, you must inspect for potential breeding grounds on a frequent basis. Molds thrive in areas where there is a lot of moisture, such as a wall with frequent rainwater exposure, a shrub or vine growing near your walls, or a siding made of porous material like wood. When it comes to exterior molds, you need to be aware that they don’t always stay outside.

It’s not uncommon for molds to have a simple growth architecture that is nearly identical to that of other molds. Depriving it of a single food source has been shown to significantly slow the colony’s growth and prevent it from being a nuisance to your household.