Outdoor Molds Can Ruin Your Home's Curb Appeal And Decrease Its Value

Outdoor mold is everywhere, which makes it challenging to keep your home and property clean. Mold plays a significant role in our ecosystem, but having it overtake your house, patio, patio furniture, decks, fencing, and other hardscapes is hardly desirable. Not only does outdoor mold look terrible, but tracking any mold spores into your home can lead to indoor mold growth and respiratory conditions.

Causes Of Outdoor Mold

Mold can thrive year-round if conditions are suitable for it to grow. Mold needs food and moisture to survive, feeding on organic materials like wood, leaves, flowers, and other natural matter. While mold prefers organic materials as food, it will also grow on inorganic materials like concrete, brick, siding, metal, and other materials that collect dust and debris. Most molds prefer dark, damp, warm conditions, but most molds are hardy enough to withstand freezing temperatures and direct sunlight. Mold will grow almost anywhere it can on your property, so it is essential to know how to clean it and keep growth at bay.

Mold Can Be Hazardous To Your Property And Your Health

Some types of mold can be hazardous to your property and your health. The mold tracked in on your shoes and clothing can leave spores indoors, leading to health problems like respiratory issues and allergies. The mold that grows on your roof may find its way into your attic and other parts of the house, damaging your interior and decreasing indoor air quality. Mold will eventually damage and degrade all materials it grows in, both inside and outside your home.

Exterior Mold Prevention

Here are ten tips to help you keep exterior mold growth at bay.

1) Ensure your property has proper drainage, so water does not collect and pool around your home.

2) Mold loves a pile of leaves or mowed grass, so mow and rake your yard regularly.

3) Trim plants, shrubs, and trees away from your house and roof.

4) Water your yard in the morning, so it has time to dry during daylight.

5) Clear debris off your roof and keep gutters in good shape.

6) Regularly sweep your deck, sidewalks, driveways, and patios to remove loose mold spores.

7) Use mold-resistant building materials like stainless steel, paints, and treated lumber.

8) Clean all of your home's venting and ducts.

9) Clean outdoor furniture with anti-mold cleaners.

10) Have your home and exterior hardscaping like fences, concrete, steps, patios, decks, gazebos, walkways, sheds, and other structures professionallypressure washed annually.

Reduce Mold Growth On Your Property

While mold is always present, you can reduce its growth on your home and property by staying diligent. Not only can outdoor mold make your home look terrible, but it can eventually cause damage to its structure. If you see mold growth on the exterior of your home or structures on your property, call your professional pressure washing company to ensure the surfaces are cleaned before damage occurs.