Exterior Home Mold

Published by: Elizabeth Gormley
Published on: 2010-01-10 15:26:13

Exterior molds look a lot like interior molds—brown, black, or green fuzzy spots, patches that spread.  Because mold grows on moist surfaces, it is more than likely it will be worst on the side of your home that gets the least amount of sunlight.  More often than not, this is the side that faces north.  Outside mold usually presents itself as green moss.  Besides for cosmetic reasons, it is wise to remove the growths and spores as soon as possible.  Over time, it can deteriorate the home’s material, devouring it while spreading.

Purchase vinyl cleaner for vinyl or aluminum siding.  For a wood or stucco home, you will need to clean as well as power wash—and this may require the help of a professional.  Exterior home cleaning materials can be bought at the hardware store.  Mix bleach and water, spray it on, and use a scrub brush.  Or use peroxide mixed with a gentler detergent.  These should kill the spores and bacteria.  The mold problem may have spread to your roof or deck, any shady area that collects moisture.  Roofing shingles can be damaged by mold. 

After it is cleaned and dry, wood should be covered with a sealant, gloss, semi-gloss, latex, or oil paint, to prevent the problem from recurring.  If you prefer the natural wood look, buy an invisible water-repellent finish.  Another way to avoid an exterior mold recurrence is to re-landscape your yard.  Particularly in a humid climate, shady areas of a home are susceptible, so cutting back the branches of large trees might be necessary.  Excessive plant growth beside the home makes for a mold-friendly atmosphere.  Even an ill-placed sprinkler head on the lawn might be the culprit.  Watch the spray and notice if too much water is pooling around the foundation of your home.  You may want to add an extra gutter or downspout on the more moisture-prone side of your house.  If exterior mold has been a problem, it’s important to expose the home to more sunlight and dry it out, however you can.

Mold on a home’s exterior can create the same health risks to its inhabitants as if the mold was growing inside.  Chronic symptoms range from mild and flu-like to severe and debilitating.  Until the mold is gone, the symptoms will exist, possibly creating chronic health problems. 

The formula is simple: Moisture leads to mold, which leads to decay, rot, unattractiveness, and maybe even illness.  The good news is that exterior mold is easily fixable, as long as the problem isn’t left too long to get out of hand.  Eradicate the mold at its beginning stages, take the preventative paths, and the exterior of your house will remain structurally sound and handsome as ever.


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