Mold - hardiplank siding

[bbmach]

Hi All:

Any thoughts on a power-washer solution to get rid of surface mold on the side of a house with hardiplank siding?

I used a general "soap" and a half-hearted attemped with a small power-washer (from a distance) and as expected, all it did was make it wet.

Thanks!

Dave

 

[rlitman]

Bleach. A touch of Dawn added to the mix may help it wet down the surface. Don't let it dry on the surface. Wet it with the bleach, let it soak into the mold for a few minutes. Power wash it off before it dries.

If you want stronger, add TSP substitute (sodium metasilicate) to the bleach, but absolutely do not let this stuff dry on the surface. It will cause major hazing.

 

[PT Doc]

just be aware that bleach won't necessarily kill the mold.

 

[CT2012]

a solution of jo-max and bleach will kill the mold. spray, let soak for a good 15 min. or so (in shade, not direct sun) and you'll be left with the white dust residue of dead spores when it's all done. they'll be dead and will hose off eventually, or quickly if with power washer.

jo-max also works on vinyl siding. follow instructions on appropriate dilution though, esp. if using w/bleach. and get a good respirator and wear goggles. it's nasty stuff when in combo.

 

[pop pop]

From my Dad who got it from some paint company 40 years ago:
1gal water, 1 qt household bleach, 1 cup liquid detergent.
Wet the side of the house well, don't allow to dry, then spray mixture with a pump sprayer and rewet. For best results, lightly brush with a long handle medium bristle brush, then rinse with high pressure from your hose.
Easier on the paint than the pressure washer and if you don't let it dry before and after you spray, no streaking or fading. Rinse well.

 

[theoldwizard1]

There are several commercial products out there, but water, bleach and liguid detergent are are probably fine.

 

[bbmach]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions - the water, bleach and liquid detergent did the trick! Didn't make it too strong or let it sit too long so it took two applications (back to back), but it looks like new.

 

[Moostifer]

stands to reason that the same cocktail would work for aluminum gutters?

 

[bobscogin]

a solution of jo-max and bleach will kill the mold.

Yup, that's the stuff. I've used it for years on my painted Hardie plank siding.

Bob

 

[hoffman912]

this is the good stuff


http://www.homedepot.com/p/Concrobium-1-gal-Mold-Control-Jug-025001/100654369#.Uds5DayO5fQ

 

[brownbagg]

not all mold is dangerous, as the media want you to believe, people been living with mold for thousands of years, just get some bleach in a bucket of water and a stiff brush

 

[hoffman912]

not all mold is dangerous, as the media want you to believe, people been living with mold for thousands of years, just get some bleach in a bucket of water and a stiff brush

my concern wouldnt be safety especially on the outside (spores will dissipate with air and have less risk of infection, as opposed to if its in a closed room in the house). my concern would be that mold will break down the wood and allow for rot and deterioration of the wood, paint, materials etc. Bleach wont always kill it, so it would be a bandaid at best and would still be there breaking down the materials.. bleach may also cause discoloration of the hardiplank siding (paint or what not). if it were a sidewalk or something sure, bleach the heck out of it. something that is there for asthetics and is made of an organic material that mold will help decompose is another story.. just my thought.

 

[mml665]

Ok here is what I do: buy Germicidal Bleach, buy liquid TSP, pump sprayer fill halfway with with hot water, I usually pour the gallon of bleach and a quart of TSP. then I adjust the mixture stronger or weaker as needed. I prefer to apply the mixture to a dry surface since I am prepping for painting. It may be necessary to work the solution with a brush. As a precaution I will wet down surrounding surfaces and vegetation. I work fast so this method works for me, I rinse the surface using my 13hp if I recall correctly close to 5 gpm 4500 psi power washer. If you will take a longer time working I would cover the vegetation with a plastic tarp. Just be careful of the direct sunlight you can actually burn the vegetation especially if the plastic is clear. This is my method when prepping a house for painting.

 

[Kevin C]

Moss or Mold? Green on the damp side of a building is often moss or algae.

http://www.askwetandforget.com/wet-forget/moss-mold-and-mildew-what-exactly-are-they

 

[rlitman]

He didn't say green. I get lots of mold. It is black.
Yes, green is algae, but the cleanup in this case is still the same.

 

[Kevin C]

He didn't say green. I get lots of mold. It is black.
Yes, green is algae, but the cleanup in this case is still the same.

He didn't say green but he didn't say it wasn't.

The food source and the damage is very different.

"Mold" They are ‘decomposers’ that brings something back to earth (changing organic into inorganic).

Algae (singular alga) are different because they are plant-like. This means that they also do the process of photosynthesis because they use light energy for nourishment on top of all the minerals they get from the water surrounding them. Thus, they convert the inorganic into an organic material.

Read more: Difference Between Algae and Fungi | Difference Between | Algae vs Fungi http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-algae-and-fungi/#ixzz2YYZT1LsB