• • We offer a variety of Exterior Cleaning including Window Washing, Pressure Washing, Soft Washing, Roof Cleaning, and Gutter Cleaning. Maintaining a welcoming and professional appearance improves the curb appeal of your home. Extended growth of mold, algae, and miscellaneous dirt can cause fading or any permanent damage. Algae or mildew can cause multiple headaches for the homeowner.

• It’s unpleasant. Homeowners naturally want a beautiful home that looks great from the curb. Algae and mildew create stains that look unattractive.

• It’s unhealthy. Algae can produce toxins and mildew can cause allergic reactions and skin irritations.

• It’s a warning sign. Algae and mildew don’t automatically mean there’s a problem, it can mean that your home is trapping moisture underneath the siding. This is an issue with homes that don’t have a proper weather barrier installed underneath the siding.

How do I know if my siding has algae and mildew on it?

Stains are the most common sign that you have algae or mildew. The stains can be different colors, which can often tell you what is causing the growth.

• Brown stains on wood siding can signal that moisture is forming underneath the wood.
• Black stains are usually a sign of mildew, algae, mold, or fungus.
• Green stains are almost always the result of algae or moss. You’re most likely to see green stains on siding that are inadequately ventilated.
• Yellow stains mean you probably have damaged insulation or deteriorating sheathing behind the siding.
• Stains the same color as your siding is typically caused by water streaming down siding due to damaged or misaligned gutters. These leaks can get behind your siding and eventually cause mildew or mold.
• Rust-colored stains are usually a sign that nails in the siding are rusting. This may or may not mean you have excess moisture leading to mildew.

What can I do to prevent the growth of algae and mildew on my home’s exterior?

Keep in mind, cleaning your siding isn’t enough.

• Prune tree limbs and bushes so that they don’t press up against your home.
• Wash your home at least once a year with a liquid soap and garden hose to remove tree sap and other contaminants.
• Inspect your vinyl siding and ventilation ducts for evidence of damage, looseness, or other issues that could contribute to trapped moisture.
• Maintain gutters by removing trapped leaves, repairing broken drainpipes, and ensuring the gutters direct water away from your home’s exterior.
• Adjust sprinklers to be sure they are not striking your siding.
• Consult with a home siding contractor that is skilled in installing and repairing siding issues and knows how to find and fix problems with your siding that are caused by excess moisture.