Trask Research, Inc. - Mold Problem Solving

Mold Remediation on Siding

By Matthew Yurina, Mold Inspector/Remediator

CONTAIN- the mold from spreading into uncontaminated areas;

KILL- the mold;

REMOVE- the dead mold and materials used for remediation; and

PROTECT- the cleaned out area against future mold infestations.

In any mold remediation job the first step is to acquire the proper personal protective equipment: P100 respirator, gloves, goggles and protective clothing that covers all skin areas. If you can’t get a Tyvek suit or some similar form of disposable coveralls, then you’ll want to wear clothes which can be washed thoroughly in an enzyme based mol d c leaner right after the job is done. The product Oxy Mold is a superior mol d c leaner, deodorized and stain remover that’s safe for use in washing machines, and is excellent at removing mold and mold spores from clothing of all kinds. A regular P100 respirator will protect against particulates, which are mold spores and other tiny particles, but when using chemicals to clean and kill mold you’ll want a P100 that also protects against organic vapors.

The second step, which would be drying out the moldy surfaces, can be difficult in humid areas or places where rain seems almost constant, but the dryer the siding is when you apply a fungicide, the better your remediation efforts are going to work. It may be necessary to wait until it hasn’t rained for several weeks before starting the work. Some types of siding are more porous than other, so it will depend on how long the mold has been growing as to whether it might be cheaper to replace the siding or go ahead and save what’s there.

Step three: pressure wash or scrub the siding with Oxy Mold to remove the visible growth and staining. Rinse the siding with water and allow it to dry at least 24 hours. For harsher mold stains, a second application may be required.

Step Four: once the siding is dry you can go ahead and use a pump sprayer to apply two applications of the Oxy Mold MX-501™ concentrate. Give the siding at least 24 hours to dry in between applications, then allow it to dry again.

Once the two applications are over you’ll want to follow up your work with clearance Mold Testing. This is to make absolutely sure that all traces of mold and mold spores are destroyed.

If your testing comes back clear, then you’ll probably want to consider coating the siding with a fungicidal sealant like Protex 63. It can provide several years of strong protection against further mold growth in even some of the most humid and rainy areas of the country. This would be the very last thing you’d want to apply, however. If your siding requires painting or staining, you’ll want to do this before spraying on a coat of Anti-Growth. It may be necessary to reapply the Protex 63 every few years to keep a strong anti-microbial seal on the siding.