#848 - 10/21/05 04:04 PM
Mold on Exterior Vinyl Siding
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ReJoyce
Do It Yourselfer
Registered: 10/21/05
Posts: 1
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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I've just realized that there is substantial greenish black mold growing on the vinyl siding of my home. It is growing between the "slats" of vinyl and under the cracks where one piece of vinyl is layed over the previous one. I'm concerned that this means it is now growing between the walls. I don't know what's causing it, and don't want to just work at using cleaners to remove what is visible, if there is danger in what may be growing behind the vinyl. Is it likely that mold has gone beyond the surface of the vinyl? How likely is this to be dangerous to our health indoors? What are the risks to my home of this going unchecked? Lastly, is there a solution other than tearing off all the vinyl? Thanks for any help.
Joyce
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#849 - 10/21/05 09:30 PM
Re: Mold on Exterior Vinyl Siding
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provip
Super Do It Yourselfer
Registered: 03/03/01
Posts: 1153
Loc: Victoria, BC, Canada
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Hi Joyce, this greenish black stuff as you describe it is likely a staining mold possibly mixed in with a little algae. I suspect most of this is on a north facing wall which gets little or no sun. My experience is that it does not go beyond what you can see. Vinyl siding is an excellent cladding material due to its superior rain screen qualities helping the walls drain and dry.
Take a brush on a long handle with some warm water and TSP and scrub it away. Depending on how long it has been on the siding, it could take some elbow grease to get it all off. Rinse it off with a hose keeping the force of the water to a minimum. Do this in summer so that any water which may get behind the vinyl siding will dry quickly.
I would avoid pressure washers but if you must, do it in the summer so that the walls can dry because these washers will push water behind the siding and can potentially do damage to the siding especially if it is older.
If you are concerned about what may be behind the siding, it is easy to remove a couple strips of siding at the bottom to investigate.
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Bart Blainey, B.E.R.
Consultant/Journeyman Carpenter
Building Envelope Specialist
Master Renovator
provip@prodeck.org
http://www.prodeck.org
Barton Blainey (provip) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
_________________________
Bart Blainey, B.E.R. Consultant/Journeyman Carpenter Building Envelope Specialist Master Renovator provip@prodeck.org http://www.prodeck.orgBarton Blainey (provip) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
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#850 - 10/23/05 06:30 AM
Re: Mold on Exterior Vinyl Siding
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RemodelingGuy
Super Do It Yourselfer
Registered: 03/02/01
Posts: 914
Loc: Houston, Texas
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Why would you avoid a pressure washer Bart?
Is it damaging?
_________________________
Jimmy McDonald http://www.StartRemodeling.comJimmy@StartRemodeling.com http://www.ToxicMoldUSA.comMcMoldMan@ToxicMoldUSA.com Jimmy McDonald ( RemodelingGuy) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
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#851 - 10/23/05 01:17 PM
Re: Mold on Exterior Vinyl Siding
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provip
Super Do It Yourselfer
Registered: 03/03/01
Posts: 1153
Loc: Victoria, BC, Canada
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Hi Jimmy, people in your neck of the woods seem to be hangin in there. I was in the BIG EASY about 15 yrs ago....what a unique place, would be a shame to see it go.
We're thinkin about ya.
Pressure washers are great used by experienced people and can be quick and thorough, however, they can be very destructive not used properly. As such, I suggest they be avoided.
Siding can actually be knocked off or loosened or split and cracked. Caulking around windows or other critical areas can be knocked off or loosened. Water can be pushed into the wall assembly wetting insulation and even thru the wall wetting carpets. I’ve seen damaged screens, cracked windows, bent flashings and damaged roof shingles all caused by improperly used pressure washers.
A scrub brush may be more work but could be less costly in the long run.
Bart
[This message has been edited by provip (edited 10-23-2005).]
_________________________
Bart Blainey, B.E.R. Consultant/Journeyman Carpenter Building Envelope Specialist Master Renovator provip@prodeck.org http://www.prodeck.orgBarton Blainey (provip) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
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#852 - 11/13/05 06:53 PM
Re: Mold on Exterior Vinyl Siding
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RemodelingGuy
Super Do It Yourselfer
Registered: 03/02/01
Posts: 914
Loc: Houston, Texas
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Just spent the better part of the last month in NO.
I've seen mold of Biblical proportions.
What an education.
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Jimmy McDonald
http://www.StartRemodeling.com
Jimmy@StartRemodeling.com
http://www.ToxicMoldUSA.com
McMoldMan@ToxicMoldUSA.com
Jimmy McDonald ( RemodelingGuy) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
_________________________
Jimmy McDonald http://www.StartRemodeling.comJimmy@StartRemodeling.com http://www.ToxicMoldUSA.comMcMoldMan@ToxicMoldUSA.com Jimmy McDonald ( RemodelingGuy) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
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