Mulch Mold On Vinyl Siding

The vinyl siding institute yes there really is such an organization offers some helpful and specific tips for dealing with stubborn moldy spots on your siding.

Mulch mold on vinyl siding.

Replace wood mulch with landscape fabric and small stones. Mold removal usually requires some scrubbing and the best tool to use is a stiff bristle natural fiber scrub brush avoid metal fiber brushes they can damage the siding. I have tried house and siding cleaner and a pressure washer to no avail. In effect it looks like someone shot your house with little tiny bullets.

This will buy you a year before the fungus reaches to the top of the new mulch. Here is what the spores look like on the vinyl siding. Sounds like you have what they call shotgun mold shotgun fungus or artillery m. The worst thing about this fungus is that it shoots spores up to 20 feet which often land on siding cars.

Use big pieces of pine bark or other bark mulch which are a less hospitable place for the fungus. The artillery fungus or shotgun fungus is a wood decay fungus that likes to live on moist landscape mulch. I also tried krud kutter and a scotch brite sponge which works but it would take five years to clean the siding that way. It s attractive and durable plus it holds up better than wood siding.

Here is a photo of what the actual fungus that produces the black spores. There is no fungicide registered as an artillery fungus treatment. Vinyl siding is undeniably growing in popularity and with good reason too. Do you have little black spots all over your car or siding.

There is research to suggest that blending mushroom compost at a rate of 40 with landscape mulch can suppress the spores. Plant a low maintenance groundcover in the area instead of using mulch. You can power wash them off of vinyl siding but such methods can be damaging to cars and wood siding. In order to kill artillery mold you must remove the spores from your siding and from the contaminated mulch that brought the spores to your home.

In extreme cases removing the mulch from your property completely and using an alternative stone or non wood mulch may be the only permanent solution. Also the use of gravel or plastic mulch will not. How to prevent mold on vinyl siding. Scrub with moderate pressure being careful not to push too hard against the flexible vinyl which can break using a scrub brush on the end of a long pole will help you avoid the need to climb to the top of the ladder to.

Over time and through repeated changes in weather vinyl siding will attract and develop mold or mildew spots especially in north facing and other shaded areas. I have heard that the mulch can spit its coloring out and also that it could be mold from the mulch. Making a habit of cleaning your home s siding flower pots and outdoor furniture with a biodegradable cleaner will prevent the spores from staining the surfaces. Vinyl siding is made to withstand cracks chips and fading.