Algae Growth On Vinyl Siding

Luckily it s not hard to prevent mildew from growing on your siding in the first place so long as you re armed with a little bit of know how.

Algae growth on vinyl siding. Algae growth can make even the most beautiful vinyl siding appear stained ruining your home s curb appeal. First and foremost it is important to keep in mind that mildew and algae feed on sap dust sugar and other debris attached to siding. While mildew growth on your vinyl siding is mostly harmless when left unchecked it can make your home s exterior look dull and dingy. Unlike mold this type of growth is mainly cosmetic and can be removed using minimal force and a few basic materials.

This article discusses common causes of stains or discoloration found on vinyl building siding. Sometimes however on shaded northern facing sections of a house algae may grow on the siding. Algae growth is most common in areas that are shaded and due to the lack of sunlight remain damp for longer periods of time after it rains. You may have noticed a green growth on your vinyl siding or gotten an hoa violation letter notifying you that your siding needs to have the green growth cleaned off.

Preventing mildew and mold on vinyl siding. However vinyl siding that is left damp can result in the growth of unsightly algae. Wash your home at least once a year with a liquid soap and garden hose to remove tree sap and other contaminants. Getting rid of this source of shade can help prevent mildew or mold from growing on vinyl siding.

Mold grows best in a shady moist environment so certain elements surrounding your siding can attribute to mold growth. Vinyl siding can provide the exterior of your home a fresh clean appearance and requires much less maintenance than paint. Distinguishing the type of stain found on siding is useful in deciding on the cause and thus the cure or prevention of staining. If moisture lack of sunlight and dirt are all common causes of fungus growth on siding preventing this problem should involve getting rid of these potential causes.

The algae may appear brown or green in color and remain damp diminishing the appearance of your home and spreading out over time. Prune tree limbs and bushes so that they don t press up against your home. How to remove algae from siding 1. This will appear as a slimy green substance.

With proper cleaning you should be able to defeat the green growth once and for all. The long term solution to algae and mildew growth on your vinyl siding includes identifying and repairing the root cause. Algae on vinyl siding occurs because organic materials such as dust dirt pollen bird droppings and spider webs accumulate on the siding and algae uses it as a food source. If discoloration or algae growth persists you will need to contact a siding contractor to discuss other options or more intensive cleaning methods.

Vinyl siding is a relatively low maintenance plastic siding used for weatherproofing a house.