You know to keep an eye on the humidity levels in your home to prevent mold growth, but did you know the siding on your exterior can be a breeding ground too? Mold on siding is not only ugly, but it can seep through into the interior of your home, especially if there is no moisture barrier, or if the barrier has become damaged over time. Follow these suggestions to prevent and remove mold from siding before it can cause long term damage to your property and health.
Prevent Mold Growth
The usual advice for keeping an area mold free is to keep it dry, but that’s hard to do with siding unless you plan to put a tent over your home. It’s possible to limit the amount of water that hits your siding by directing sprinklers away. Rainwater usually doesn’t get under siding panels, but a poorly directed sprinkler can send high pressure bursts of water under panels and cause mold growth. Shady areas tend to grow mold faster than sunny ones because they dry out more slowly, so check these areas of your home more frequently, especially if you have plants growing around the foundation.
Clean the Siding
Cleaning siding isn’t difficult and keeping dirt and grime from building up not only makes your home look better, but also prevents expensive mold cleanup later. A garden hose or pressure washer will easily remove most dirt; just be careful not to use too much pressure or get water under the siding panels. Vinegar and water can be used to remove mold if it’s not widespread. Be sure to wear protective equipment such as gloves when cleaning up mold.
If you live in an area that’s prone to high humidity, you may want to rethink your landscaping. Reconsider planting shrubs around your home and keep existing ones well-trimmed to avoid creating damp, shady areas that encourage mold growth. Be sure that vegetation doesn’t touch the siding; vines can quickly grow up and under siding panels, bringing moisture along with them.
Clean the Gutters
Keep lawn sprinklers aimed away from your house and be sure gutters are free from debris and in good working order. Overflowing gutters can cause rainwater to gush down the side of your home and encourage mold growth under the siding. Gutter guards fit over the tops of gutters and prevent leaves and other debris from falling in. This one time investment saves countless hours removing leaves and other debris from your gutters.
Professional Mold Remediation
If you have a mold infestation of any size in your home in San Francisco, CA or anywhere in the Bay Area, call the highly trained experts at ServiceMaster DDR immediately. We’re on call 24 hours a day to respond to mold emergencies. We’ll find and eradicate all traces of mold from your home so it’s safe to inhabit again.
Mold remediation costs vary, depending on the extent of the infestation. According to HomeAdvisor.com, the national average is $2,157.00.
