Mildew on Your Siding? Here's What You Do

Does your siding look a little faded? A little dingy? Or maybe you have a layer of green or black grime that has slowly formed on the shady areas of your home exterior? It is likely you are dealing with mildew. Don't worry; you're not alone! Here in northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. area, mildew is very common, especially on the north sides of our homes. What do you do about mildew on your siding? Great question - we're glad you asked!
Anti-mildew Step 1: Kill the Spores!
When your home is affected by mildew on the siding, don't make the same mistake other Virginia homeowners do. If you just remove the visible residue, but you do nothing to kill the fungal spores, you will not have long before the mildew grows again.
Instead, begin by using a fungicidal wash. This can be a mild bleach solution, or a commercial mildewcide designed for the purpose. Use a garden sprayer to apply it to the affected walls, beginning from the bottom and working your way upwards. Now, let it sit for a few minutes to do its work.
Anti-mildew Step 2: Scrub and Rinse
Once the spray has accomplished its purpose, it is time to scrub the siding with some gentle dish soap or detergent. You can use a sponge or a brush with soft bristles (a long handle makes this more convenient). This time, start at the top of the wall and work your way downward, using a garden hose to rinse away the grime. The results of this step are wonderfully satisfying!
An alternative to the scrub and rinse is to use a pressure washer. Use extreme caution, however, as pressure washers can cause personal injury and property damage. The safest approach is to hire a professional house painting company or a commercial pressure washer, saving you time and effort, and removing the risk.
Anti-mildew Step 3: Exterior Paint with Mildewcide
A great way to prevent the regrowth of mildew on your home is to use exterior paint with a built-in mildewcide. These antimicrobial exterior paints have the ability to keep your home looking fresher and brighter for a longer time. The next time you need exterior house painting, talk to your D.C. area painting company about which paint is best for your situation.
Williams Professional Painting
For more than 40 years, Williams Professional Painting has served the Washington, D.C. area and northern Virginia with superior house painting services. In addition to exterior painting and pressure washing, we offer interior painting, kitchen cabinet painting, carpentry, popcorn ceiling removal, and much more! Use our online estimate request tool, or call our office to get started. We are excited to meet you!