Home improvement projects for the interior of your home are exciting and well worth the expense, but the exterior of your home needs a little TLC as well. Regularly washing your home to rid the surface of mold and prevent wood rot is extremely important, especially when wanting to uphold curb appeal and property value for your home. Fortunately, professionals are always one phone call away to help with these issues.
Mold, Mildew & Wood Rot
Mold is a fungus that grows organically in dark, moist environments. On the exterior of your home, there are several contributors to mold growth, including lack of sunlight, dirty siding, faulty gutters, excess rainwater, and high humidity. For example, if your gutter is broken and constantly leaks water onto the exterior of your house, there is extensive moisture, making it conducive for growth. That, combined with excessive shade on one side of your house, will jumpstart the mold spores into spreading. Mold usually matures into large, irregular green and/or black patches that permeate beneath the surface of the material it grows on. If neglected, mold can lead to severe wood rot and significant structural damage to your home as well as health problems.
Mildew is a specific type of mold that spreads quickly over moist surfaces. Mildew is often yellow or brown in color with a powdery texture. Unlike mold, mildew doesn’t penetrate the surface, which makes it easy to remove. Although mildew removal is a more painless process compared to mold, don’t procrastinate when it comes to treatment. If left for too long, mildew can cause health risks, including headaches and respiratory issues as residents inhale the fungus.
Wood is a great resource overall because it remains dry over long periods of time. However, if wood is unprotected from extreme moisture, it can become much more susceptible to mold. Once mold has successfully taken residence in your wood exterior, decay begins. Dry rot, also known as brown rot, is a serious form of wood rot that causes the wood to crack excessively and eventually turn to dust. Dry rot can even spread behind plaster, which can make it tricky to remove. Luckily, professionals are able to help with this issue. Keeping an eye on recurrent condensation around your home and regularly washing your home are the best options to keep moisture at bay.
Treatments:
Power Washing
Power washing is recommended for exterior surfaces since it uses heated, pressurized water that disintegrates contamination. Because of the water temperature and pressure, this process removes mold more easily than regular pressure washing. Power washing is a convenient solution for even the toughest mold and mildew on the exterior of your home. Common areas that are favorable to mold growth include roof shingles, pipes, and house siding. Power washing these areas is your best bet, but it’s best to hire a professional for this service because if done incorrectly you run the risk of damaging your home’s siding and paint job. A professional should handle power washing to ensure the resident’s safety as well.
Pressure Washing
The only distinction between pressure washing and power washing is the water temperature. Pressure washing doesn’t include hot water and instead relies on force alone to rid the exterior of mold and mildew. Pressure washing is usually used on sidewalks, driveways, and decks, but it can also be used on the exterior of your home with the aid of a professional. Hiring a company to manage your home’s exterior is ideal because pressure washing can also damage your home’s siding and paint if you’re not careful.
Soft Washing
Soft washing is a completely different service that uses environmentally safe chemicals to clean exteriors. These chemicals include weather protectants that help prolong the lifespan of your paint, contrasting with power and/or pressure washing that could chip away the paint. Although this process seems easier, it’s still recommended to hire a professional company. The chemicals used in the soft washing process are potent and potentially hazardous, so enlisting a professional’s help is a wise choice. Once the chemical solution is applied and left alone to sink into the exterior siding and cracks, the dirt, mold, and mildew will begin to break down. Then a low-pressure rinse is used to completely detach the contaminants from your home.
With these three options, your home’s exterior will be as good as new! Discussing the solutions with a professional is important when it comes to the renewal of your home to its original beauty. Give an expert a call to see what will work best for your home. 
Demi Morelock
Home & Yard Magazine
