Mold, mildew and other fungi can grow both inside and outside your home.
An unsightly fungus growing on the exterior of your home is mold. Mold thrives and breeds in damp, dark and humid areas and will feed off the surface it is growing on. The exterior of your home offers the perfect breeding environment for mold and -- if you do not remove the mold -- it can deteriorate and stain the outside of your home. Once you remove the mold, take the necessary steps to keep the exterior mold from returning.
Instructions
Remove Exterior Mold
1. Clean leaves, twigs, dead plants, decaying vegetation and other debris from around your home's foundation. This will eliminate a common food source for fungus.
2. Mix 1 gallon of warm water with 1 cup of chlorine bleach. Add 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap and mix with a spoon. Alternatively, replace the chlorine bleach with 1 cup of oxygen bleach. Oxygen bleach -- which comes in a powdered form -- is a safer alternative to chlorine bleach. Unlike chlorine, oxygen bleach will not harm plants or discolor surfaces.
3. Dip a brush broom in the mixture and scrub all molded areas. Scrub siding, wood and painted surfaces with the mixture. Let the mixture sit on the surface for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse the surface clean with a water hose. Continue until you have removed all traces of the mold.
4. Use a ladder to gain access to your roof. Scrub the roof with the brush broom saturated in the mixture. Continue scrubbing until you have removed all mold, mildew or moss growing on your roof. Rinse the roof clean with a water hose.
Prevent Exterior Mold
5. Protect wood decks and patios from future fungus growth by applying a wood sealer. Furthermore, apply a mildew-resistant paint over painted outdoor items.
6. Remove leaves, twigs and other vegetation from your roof regularly. Keeping your roof free of debris will reduce the chance of mold, mildew and moss growth.
7. Trim back tree branches that hang over your roof. This will keep leaves and twigs from falling on the roof while allowing the sun to shine on the area. Mold and mildew cannot live in sunlight.
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