Dealing with pesky mold? While many siding options today are able to fight against mold, if your home is covered in older siding, you may be struggling with mold and mildew. The exterior aesthetic of your home affects its curb appeal, and its first impression. It’s important to keep it clean and mold free to ensure your exterior looks great and lasts longer. Here are the 5 ways to keep your siding mold free!
1. Regular Checks and Cleaning
To keep your siding as mold-free as possible, it’s important to conduct consistent checks of your exterior and clean it regularly. Take a look around the exterior of your home from time to time, and if you notice any mold growth, act quickly. Use a diluted solution of bleach and water to get rid of the mold and stop future growth. Even if you don’t see any mold, regularly cleaning your siding will prevent build up and keep your siding looking brand new. If you have older siding, use your garden hose and a soft bristle brush to clean your siding every few months, and make sure to spray in a downward direction to prevent moisture buildup in the siding panels.
2. As Much Direct Sunlight As Possible
Mold typically grows in spots that are dark and damp. Allow as much direct sunlight as possible to hit your home. Trim your trees, maintain your shrubs and make sure as much natural light is reaching your exterior. This will keep mold away from your siding, keeping your exterior fresh and beautiful!
3. Get Rid of Climbing Vines
Climbing vines can give your home a charming, artistic appeal, but they can also lead to mold growth. Since the vines cover so much of the surface, they make it difficult for your siding to dry out, and also block direct sunlight from reaching your siding. This makes it easy for mold and mildew to grow. If you have climbing vines and are having issues with mold and mildew, it’s time to cut them back and get rid of them.
4. Maintain Your Gutters
Another way to keep your siding mold free is to maintain your gutters and make sure they’re leading water away from your home. If your gutters become clogged and water ends up spilling over, it will create a moist environment on your siding. This will foster the growth of mold. Do whatever you can to keep your exterior siding dry to ensure mold doesn’t grow and thrive.
5. Watch Your Lawn Sprinklers
If you use lawn sprinklers to water your lawn and garden, make sure they don’t reach your siding. Especially if your sprinklers are located close to the foundation of your home, you’re going to want to move them away to ensure they don’t reach your siding. Moisture on your siding creates an ideal environment for mold growth, and it’s up to you to hinder that environment as much as possible.
Keep your siding free of mold with these 5 tips! Your home will maintain its beauty and look good as new.