Remove Mold And Mildew From Vinyl Siding On Your Garage
If mold and mildew have formed on your garage's vinyl siding, dark stains will appear, and you may notice an unpleasant odor when you approach the garage. If left untreated, the mold and mildew can cause respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and irritation to your eyes, nose, and throat. Learn how to remove mold and mildew with the following steps. Once you have finished, the siding will be spotless and you can easily keep it maintained in the future.
Materials
- vinyl tarp
- boots with traction
- coupler attachment
- siding detergent
- water hose
- electrical supply
- pressure washer
- protective goggles
Cover The Ground And Prepare The Pressure Washer
If any foliage or flowers are located next to the garage, cover them with vinyl siding so that they are not exposed to strong water pressure as you are cleaning the siding. The pressure can cause damage to small plants. Put on a pair of boots that have good traction so that you do not lose your balance while walking in wet areas on the ground.
Connect one end of the high-pressure hose to the front of the pressure washer by inserting it in the marked area and turning it clockwise until it is secure. Connect the other end of the high-pressure hose to a water hose.
Add a coupler attachment to the end of the water hose if it does not already have one. The coupler will fit right over the end of the water hose and can be tightened by turning it clockwise. Fill the pressure washer's reservoir with detergent that is designed for siding. If the detergent that you have purchased is concentrated, read the back of its container to determine how much water needs to be added to it. Reattach the reservoir to the pressure washer.
Remove The Mold And Mildew
Plug in the pressure washer's power cord. Turn on the water supply before turning on the pressure washer. Doing so will prevent damage to the washer's water pump. Adjust the pressure washer so that it will dispense only water. Aim the pressure washer's nozzle at an angle, a couple feet away from the garage. Taking these steps will prevent damage to the siding and will reduce the chance of debris becoming embedded between pieces of it.
Turn on the pressure washer and spray the garage, starting at the bottom of the building. Move the pressure washer from side to side. After the siding is wet, turn on the valve that controls the detergent. Squeeze the pressure washer's trigger to disperse the soapy water. Add the soapy water in the same manner that was used for the plain water. Wait for the detergent to penetrate for a few minutes. Turn off the detergent valve and adjust the pressure washer so that it emits plain water. Rinse off the siding. The mold and mildew stains will be gone.
Maintain The Siding
Rinse the garage's siding off a few times a year with a water hose to remove dirt and debris. If stains appear on the siding, remove them with a scrub brush and soapy water. Use the pressure washer whenever the siding appears severely stained.
