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| Mildew on siding |
Anyone have a solution for this?
I haven't walked around to this side of the house the last few weekends, it's the North facing side, and without having to mow, I don't have much reason to go back there right now, ha. Focusing on the garden now. Anyway, went back there and we noticed that there is some green growth on the siding. I'm guessing it's mildew of some sort? As for the "clean strip" on the siding? It's under one of the window units so I guess it's shade just right? Weird.
Mostly likely it's the cool, damp weather the last few weeks has caused it, coupled with it being on the North side and not getting much direct sunshine. Anyone have a suggestion to clean it? We were originally just thinking of a bleach/water solution but didn't know if there was some other option?
It's always something, huh?
I haven't walked around to this side of the house the last few weekends, it's the North facing side, and without having to mow, I don't have much reason to go back there right now, ha. Focusing on the garden now. Anyway, went back there and we noticed that there is some green growth on the siding. I'm guessing it's mildew of some sort? As for the "clean strip" on the siding? It's under one of the window units so I guess it's shade just right? Weird.
Mostly likely it's the cool, damp weather the last few weeks has caused it, coupled with it being on the North side and not getting much direct sunshine. Anyone have a suggestion to clean it? We were originally just thinking of a bleach/water solution but didn't know if there was some other option?
It's always something, huh?
i have mildew everywhere. i use a power washer to remove mine.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'll check into that. I can't imagine having it everywhere. Must be a pain!
DeleteThis is common for areas that never get direct sun. I used Clorox clean-up (spray bottle) on mine. I didn't even have to scrub and it came right off. I suspect any type of bleach would do the trick.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely doesn't get direct sun. The other three sides are fine.
DeleteYup that'll happen on North facing sides :( Power wash it, it works quick and is so much fun :) But be prepared to want to power wash everything - it's addictive lol.
ReplyDeleteIsn't there something about trees and the fact that mosses and lichens grow on the North side? That would make sense. Hmm, sounds like fun if nothing else, ha. thanks!
DeleteTry OxyClean....or another type of powered "Oxygen Bleach."
ReplyDeleteDo NOT confuse Bleach with Oxygen Bleach.....Regular Bleach may KILL flowers and veg that may be around or under your home's siding.
Here's an article that talks about cleaning with Oxygen Bleach.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-05-24/marketplace/sns-201305131930--tms--askbildrctnab-a20130524-20130524_1_wood-siding-vinyl-siding-mildew
Thanks for that link. Great info. We have some 'OxyClean' in town, I'll have to do some research and try that. I was worried about bleach and the grass.
DeleteI was going to advise scrubbing it down with bleach but then I read about power wash and I think that perhaps that is easier and better for the environs.
ReplyDeleteKirk
Always want to use something that is more ecologically friendly. And the power wash sounds fun, ha.
DeletePowerwashing would probably be more fun, but I'd guess that a VERY weak bleach solution would do the trick. We often assume that a leach solution has to be stronger than it does...I check the Clorox (or other) bleach website every time I have to mix a solution, and I am usually surprised how little bleach I actually need to use.
ReplyDeleteYou know, that's very true. We make our own countertop spray and it's literally like 2% or less of bleach and 98% water. And it works great. Heck, even in water purifying scenarios it's just a drop or two I think. Good point, thanks!!
DeleteI wouldn't be afraid to use a very mild bleach solution. When we lived at our previous house, we'd always backflush our swimming pool into the side yard/flower bed. It never killed anything. In fact, I think it made things grow faster. I used a power washer on our driveway to remove the green, but I took the paint off of the house where I tried to power wash it! Power wash on gentle, mild bleach would be my choice.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your suggestions. You know, we once flushed a pool into the yard and the grass was greener there than elsewhere, go figure. Maybe the mild chorine kills bugs and nasties in the grass, ha. I will do something 'gentle'. Ha.
DeleteI believe it' s an algae. Green = photosynthesis. Molds don't photosynthesize.
ReplyDeleteMakes sense to me! Thanks!
DeletePower washing may be the easiest but it can also take the paint off and push water into the walls through any cracks. Mold IN the walls is a very bad thing. Maybe try a mild bleach-water solution applied with a sponge mop?
ReplyDeleteoh my, hmm, I do have a tendency to overdo it at times. Maybe I will try the mild solution first, LOL.
DeleteDitto on the power wash with a little Clorox. If you don't go crazy with it, it will not kill the vegetation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. I feel better about the vegetation now, thank you!
DeleteOn the mobile home I had I used a bleach water mix and my mop to get rid of the mold. If you get some on plants below, spray with water really well and they will be ok. If it's really tough you may need to power wash it.
ReplyDeleteThere are no plants below it (YET) but there is of course grass. I suppose that's a great idea, just water everything down well and it will wash off anything on the ground.
Deletetsp . can purchase it at any big box store, made for such things
ReplyDeleteTSP? That's what it's called? I've never heard of that, might have to check that out, thanks!!
DeleteTSP=TriSodium Phosphate. It is often used as an alkalizing agent to saponify/ emulsify greases and oils. Commonly used for kitchens (to wash walls/ cabinets) after stripping wallpaper, etc... Good for concrete.
DeleteThank you!!
DeleteI would go with the power washer :O) and agree with Linda, so fun! LOL... You will be looking for other things to power wash LOL. If by chance that didn't work for ya.. I would not use bleach. Hydrogen Peroxide works great on mildew in your shower so my guess it would work great on the house, its not harmful to you or to your ground or plants. A safe alternative to bleach :O). You could just put some in a pump sprayer with a wand and spray away, scrub off, if the power washer doesn't do the trick. But I think it will :O).
ReplyDeleteGreat idea too!! Wouldn't have though of that but yeah it does work in the shower huh? Thanks!! Of course, now I'm thinking I should talk 2nd Man into a power washer just so I have one "in case" I need it later, ha. .
DeleteIf it's wood siding, you can use bleach + water and a power sprayer. If It's vinyl or aluminum siding, you cannot use bleach, but a power washer will do the job.
ReplyDeleteIt's hardiplank, so I guess the mild bleach would be ok. And the power washer if we get one. Of course, I might just try the liquid approach first before spending the money on a power washer. We'll see! Y'all will hear it here first!
DeleteIf you want to go less toxic than bleach straight vinegar should do it. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteVinegar? Really? We have a big container of that at the farm. Might try that first. Thanks!
DeleteIs the siding vinyl or aluminum? If it is aluminum, straight vinegar can pit it. In a standard bucket (usually 2.5 gallons) add 1 cup borax, a capful of ammonia and a tiny squirt of liquid dish detergent. Use warm water and fill the bucket. Use a hose and soak the siding. Use a a sponge mop to wipe the siding (direction of the grain). Use a bristled brush for a little more deep spot cleaning. Hose it down and it should be good as new.
ReplyDeleteIt's hardiplank, a sort of cement fiberboard. And it's not really painted, and we'll be having it painted later this year, but until then we want it to look good. Great suggestion, thank you much. I'll work on that next weekend, weather permitting (this weekend was a bust, ha.)
DeleteThe explanation for the clean streak is the air conditioner. The tiny amount of copper oxide that washes off the copper coils in that unit will prevent the mold from growing below it. People used to glue a line of copper pennies to their roof to prevent moss from growing on the north facing slopes of their roof. Do be careful with strong chemicals on that wall, it will kill vegetation below it.
ReplyDeleteWow, now that is fascinating!! I wondered why there was a clean spot there and it's actually somewhat more shaded because of the window unit sticking out. Very cool info, thanks. Will definitely be careful. Update when it happens!
DeleteI didn't know about the pennies! Interesting tidbit!
DeleteI live in the South and on all our exterior surfaces this scourge has spread. We've been fighting it the past 15 years with mildewcide, bleach, ocyclean etc. The white trim and ceiling on my front porch is so black with mildew that people think we had a fire before we pressure washed. It comes back every year but last year we found out about TSP. That application of TSP plus bleach (make sure you get the kind of TSP you can mix with bleach) has really cut it down. Thinking this years application may kill it off finally. We just mixed it in a garden sprayer, sprayed on the mix, let it sit and power washed off, let dry. Then on stubborn spots that were left, we used a cheap scrub brush (discard when done so you don't spread it to other things) and the TSP/bleach mix in a bucket. Was beautiful the rest of last summer till the rains hit then it came back but as I said, not as bad. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the valuable info. Yeah, humid, rainy, warm, damp, shady, it doesn't help does it? Thanks for the information, I will definitely check this out. :-)
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