How to Maintain Your Siding So It Does Not Get Moldy

Have you ever noticed your siding looks a little bit grimy, a bit dirty and perhaps even somewhat moldy? Do you have vines overgrown across your siding? Or moss? The reality is, when your siding goes uncleaned and unmaintained over a long period, as with many things, it can get moldy. Maintaining and cleaning your siding is probably not something you would think about doing, but regularly giving it a clean and taking steps to maintain your siding will ensure it does not get moldy, but that it also remains in peak condition and working at its optimal state for years to come. Here are our best and most practical ways to maintain your siding so it does not get moldy overtime.

Does Siding Really Get Moldy?

Yes, siding does indeed get moldy! However, mold does not appear out of nowhere. There are a few ways mold begins to form, and if you know what they are, you can prevent mold from ever becoming a problem in the first place. Just like inside your home, mold does form on the outside and often for the same reasons (but not as frequently as inside the home, which is the good news!) A common reason siding becomes moldy is because it is not receiving enough sunlight. It is often the case that the shadiest section of a home is where mold most frequently grows. Constantly being exposed to water is another cause for mold growth – such as sprinklers being used nearby and consistently wetting the house. Another cause of moldy siding is the material siding is made from, with wood siding being the most likely siding to rot, because it is a very cosy environment for mold to grow.

The good news is mold is relatively easy to prevent. Read on to find out how.

Clean Your Siding Annually

Siding should be cleaned once a year to mitigate the risk of mold build-up. It is particularly important to clean siding that is in shady or damp areas where mold and mildew thrive. All you need is the garden hose and a soft-bristle brush to give the siding of your home a good once-over.

Remove Climbing Vines & Moss

Vines and moss, as lovely as they look, can promote the growth of mold. Vines and moss make it difficult for your siding to be dry, while also stopping the sun from shining on your siding. You do not have to get rid of all your vines and moss, but trimming them back so they do not directly climb over your siding can greatly help stop the growth of mold.

Treat Your Siding with Mold Cleaners

There are specific cleaners out there that will kill any signs of mold before it has the chance to actually grow. So, when conducting your annual clean, you can at the same time treat your siding with preventive cleaners to ensure your home remains mold-free year round.

Consistently Check for Signs of mold

Every so often it is wise to run your eyes over your siding to ensure no mold is starting to form. If you do notice the first signs of mold, ensure you quickly remove it, this will help to stop any more mold growing.

Beware of Sprinklers

The humble sprinkler could be a culprit when it comes to the growth of mold on your siding. If sprinklers are consistently hitting the siding of your home, it is a haven for mold spores to attach themselves to and multiply. Your home’s siding needs to be kept as dry as possible at all times, so be aware of where you place your sprinklers.

These are just some of our tips for cleaning and maintaining your home’s siding to keep it fresh, beautiful and functioning at its peak for years to come.