How to Pressure Wash Mold Off Your House and Roof

August 24, 2023

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Are you wondering how to pressure wash mold off your house, roof, and other surfaces? Mold not only creates unpleasant smells, but it can also damage many building materials around a property. In turn, removing it as needed ensures a welcoming space while protecting your home from damage.

To pressure wash mold off your house, begin by covering plants and other nearby items to protect them. Prepare a cleaning solution using either a mixture of bleach and water or white vinegar and water, though commercial mold cleaners are also an option. When pressure washing, select a wide-angled nozzle to prevent potential damage to your house's surface and adjust the PSI accordingly. Once the mold is removed, ensure all areas are rinsed thoroughly.

These instructions aren’t necessarily enough to know how to pressure wash mold off your house. For needed details, keep reading! Also, don’t hesitate to contact a pressure washing contractor near you for stubborn growth. They can ensure a thorough clean and let you stay off ladders for needed cleaning.

how to pressure wash mold off your house

How to Pressure Wash Mold Off Your House, Roof, and Other Surfaces

Pressure washing is an effective method for removing mold from the exterior of a house. However, it's important to approach the task carefully. You want to avoid damaging the surfaces and ensure you remove the mold thoroughly. Here's a step-by-step guide for how to pressure washing mold off your house:

Materials and Equipment You'll Need:

  • Pressure washer
  • Safety gear (goggles, gloves, mask)
  • Mold removal detergent or solution (bleach, vinegar, commercial mold cleaner)
  • Scrub brush or soft-bristle brush
  • Garden hose
  • Plastic sheeting and tape (to cover plants and delicate areas)
  • Ladder (if necessary)

Steps for Pressure Washing Mold:

  1. Safety First: Wear appropriate safety gear, including goggles, gloves, and a mask, to protect yourself from mold spores and cleaning solutions.
  2. Prepare the Area: Cover any plants, outdoor furniture, and delicate areas with plastic sheeting. Also, secure them with tape to protect them from the cleaning solution and water pressure.
  3. Choose the Right Cleaning Solution: Depending on your preference and the severity of the mold, you can use various cleaning solutions.
  • Commercial Mold Cleaner: These cleaners are formulated to remove mold and mildew effectively.
  • Bleach Solution: Mix 1 part household bleach with 3 parts water. Bleach is effective in killing mold and removing stains, but it can lighten the color of surfaces.
  • Vinegar Solution: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Vinegar is a natural option that can help remove mold and mildew.
  1. Test an Inconspicuous Area: Before you start pressure washing, test your chosen cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area. This will ensure it doesn't damage the surface.
  2. Apply the Cleaning Solution: Use a sprayer or a soft-bristle brush to apply the cleaning solution to the moldy areas. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes, but do not let it dry on the surface.
  3. Set Up the Pressure Washer: Fill the pressure washer with water and attach the appropriate nozzle. Use a wide-angle nozzle to prevent damaging the surface. High-pressure nozzles can damage surfaces and should be avoided.
  4. Start Pressure Washing: Begin pressure washing from a safe distance and gradually move closer if needed. Maintain a consistent distance to prevent damaging the surfaces. Use even and overlapping strokes to cover the entire area.

After Pressure Washing

After pressure washing, rinse the area with clean water to remove any remaining cleaning solution and mold residue. Make sure the cleaning solution doesn't dry on the surface, as this could leave streaks.

Next, inspect the area to ensure that the mold has been effectively removed. If necessary, repeat the process in stubborn areas. After cleaning, consider applying a mold-inhibiting treatment to prevent mold from returning. You can find various products designed to prevent mold growth on outdoor surfaces.

a contractor pressure washing a house

Will Power Washing Remove Mold?

Yes, power washing can effectively remove mold from surfaces. The high-pressure water spray from a power washer can dislodge and remove surface mold. The force of the water can help break apart the mold growth, allowing it to be washed away.

Also, power washing is often more effective when combined with appropriate cleaning solutions. Mold-specific cleaning agents, bleach solutions, or vinegar-water mixtures can be applied to the surface before power washing. These all help loosen and kill mold spores.

Power washing covers a large area quickly, ensuring that mold is removed from broad surfaces like siding, decks, driveways, and fences. Additionally, power washing can reach areas that might be difficult to clean manually. These include high walls or roof overhangs where mold tends to grow.

Lastly, power washing exterior surfaces not only removes existing mold but can also help prevent future mold growth. Washing does this by removing the moisture and grime that mold thrives on.

Can You Pressure Wash Mildew?

If you need to remove mold from your house, you might also need to tackle mildew. You can use pressure washing to remove mildew from surfaces. Before you begin, remove any items or furniture from the area you'll be pressure washing. Cover plants and other landscaping features.

Mildew can be effectively removed with various solutions including commercial mildew cleaners and bleach and water mixtures. Use a sprayer or a soft-bristle brush to apply the solution to the mildew-affected areas. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes, but do not let it dry on the surface.

Begin pressure washing from a safe distance. Use even and overlapping strokes to cover the entire area. After pressure washing, thoroughly rinse the area with clean water to remove any remaining cleaning solution and mildew residue.

Work in small sections and inspect the area as you go along. Ensure the cleaning solution doesn't dry on the surface, as this could leave streaks. Also, consider applying a preventive treatment to inhibit mildew growth and prevent its return.

A Word From Our Pressure Washing Crew

Tampa Bay Roof Cleaning is happy to explain how to pressure wash mold off your house. Hopefully we’ve offered some practical tips that work for your property. Also, if you’re in the central Florida area, call our Tampa Bay pressure washing contractors. We’re happy to prepare a FREE power washing price quote and answer all your questions along the way.

 

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