Leo Martínez
Painting the exterior of your home is a cost-effective upgrade that can increase curb appeal and protect your home from the elements. However, before painting, it is essential to prepare the surface by removing any mold or mildew. This process involves cleaning, disinfecting, and priming the surface to ensure the paint adheres properly and prevent the mold from reappearing. The steps to clean mold from outdoor surfaces vary depending on the type of surface and the severity of the mold infestation. For example, mild cases of mold on outdoor furniture can be scrubbed off with a mixture of water, soap, and bleach, while more severe cases may require power washing with a bleach solution or a commercial mold remover. After cleaning, it is crucial to dry the surface thoroughly and apply a mold-resistant primer before painting.
How to Clean Mold for Outdoor Painting
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why remove mold | Mold spores will continue to grow and eventually resurface, causing discoloration and peeling paint. It can also compromise indoor air quality and pose health risks. |
| Mold appearance | Black, green, brown, or gray spots and patches. |
| Odor | Musty |
| Painting over mold | Not recommended. It may temporarily hide stains, but mold will continue to grow beneath the paint. |
| Mold removal methods | Bleach and water solution, borax and vinegar solution, commercial mold remover, power washing, or pressure washing. |
| Protective equipment | Goggles, gloves, masks/respirators, long sleeves, goggles without ventilation holes. |
| Surface preparation | Sanding, paint removal, scrubbing, and rinsing. |
| Priming and painting | Choose mold-resistant or stain-blocking primers and paints. Always dry the surface thoroughly before priming and painting. |
| Mold prevention | Control moisture, fix leaks, improve ventilation, use dehumidifiers, install exhaust fans, and direct water away from the house. |
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What You'll Learn
Identify the mold
Identifying mold is the first step in the mold removal process. Mold on painted walls often appears as black, green, brown, or gray spots and patches. It may look fuzzy or have a cotton-like texture. It may also be rough, velvet-like, or leathery. A musty odor may accompany these stains. If you’re unsure whether a stain is mold or dirt, apply a few drops of household bleach to the area. If the discoloration lightens or disappears, you’re likely dealing with mold or mildew.
Mold often grows out of sight in wall cavities due to water problems like flooding or leaks. If your home has suffered severe water damage, mold will grow in your walls if the water is not removed within 24-48 hours. If the water reached the drywall, it is recommended to cut it one foot above the water line. Other water problems, like leaking pipes, may also trap moisture inside your walls. Even when leaks are not visible, moisture can get inside walls, providing mold a place to grow. Be aware of signs that drywalls are moist, such as bowed, bulging, or warped walls, which likely contain moisture.
To prevent mold growth in walls, it’s important to address any moisture issues and create an environment that is unfavorable for mold to thrive. This includes improving ventilation, reducing humidity, and preventing condensation. It is also important to fix any water leaks and clean and repair roof gutters regularly. Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so water does not enter or collect around it. Keep indoor humidity below 60% and address any condensation on walls, windows, or other surfaces.
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Prepare the surface
Preparing the surface is crucial to ensure that the paint adheres properly and that your paint job looks good and lasts for years. Firstly, determine whether the surface spots are indeed mildew or just dirt buildup. If you're unsure, apply a few drops of household bleach to the area. If the discolouration lightens or disappears, it's likely mildew or mould.
Before you begin cleaning, protect yourself by wearing a mask or an N-95 respirator, along with goggles and gloves. Mould spores can be inhaled, causing respiratory issues, and can also irritate your skin and eyes.
For exterior walls, mildew and mould are often caused by rain, humidity, and a lack of sunlight. To clean the surface, you can use a scrub brush and a brush with an extension handle to reach higher areas. Fill a bucket with a gallon of warm water and a cup of bleach, or use a commercial mould remover. You can also add trisodium phosphate (TSP) to speed up the process. Soak the brush in the solution and start scrubbing. If only a small area is affected, consider putting the solution in a spray bottle for spot cleaning. After scrubbing, rinse the surface with a garden hose.
Alternatively, you can use a pressure washer with or without a cleaning solution. This method will also remove loose paint, which is beneficial when preparing for repainting. For a deeper clean, mix a half-water, half-bleach solution and apply it to the surface. Allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes to penetrate deep-seated growths. Repeat this process as needed, then rinse and let the surface dry before painting.
If you're dealing with more porous surfaces, avoid using a brush as it may damage the surface. Instead, use a cloth or sponge soaked in a cleaning solution, then wring it out so it's not too wet. Gently scrub the affected area until the mould is removed, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
For furniture, avoid using brushes with metal bristles as they can scratch surfaces. Instead, use a nylon-bristle brush. Spray the cleaning solution onto the furniture and agitate the area with the brush before rinsing thoroughly. You can also use vinegar, which is especially useful for cleaning plastic patio furniture. Spray white distilled vinegar onto the mould, let it sit for an hour, then rinse with warm water. Follow up with a second application of vinegar.
Remember, always dry the surface thoroughly after cleaning and before painting.
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Choose a cleaning solution
When choosing a cleaning solution to remove mould from outdoor surfaces prior to painting, there are several options to consider. Firstly, determine the extent of the mould problem. If mould covers a large section of the exterior or is a recurring issue, it may be best to consult a professional. Painting over mould is not recommended as it will continue to grow and cause issues such as discolouration and peeling paint.
For smaller areas affected by mould, a simple solution of warm water and bleach can be used. Fill a bucket with a gallon of warm water and a cup of bleach, or a three-parts water to one-part bleach solution, and scrub the affected area. You can also add a chemical known as trisodium phosphate (TSP) to expedite the process. Alternatively, use a household cleanser designed to kill mould and mildew. Always wear protective gear such as goggles and gloves when working with chemicals.
For a deeper clean or more stubborn mould, a stronger solution may be necessary. Mix a half-water and half-bleach solution and apply it to the surface. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes to allow it to penetrate and kill the mould. Repeat the process if necessary, then rinse and allow the surface to dry completely before painting.
In addition to bleach solutions, other effective cleaning agents include vinegar, borax, commercial mould removers, and enzyme cleaners. Vinegar, particularly white distilled vinegar, can be sprayed onto the mould and left to sit for an hour before rinsing. Commercial mould removers and enzyme cleaners are also recommended for effectively tackling mould and mildew.
Always ensure the surface is thoroughly dried before painting. Address any underlying moisture issues to prevent mould from returning. Proper ventilation, fixing leaks, and using dehumidifiers can help control moisture and inhibit mould growth.
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Apply the solution
To apply the solution, you have a few options. Firstly, you can use a scrub brush and a brush with an extension handle to reach higher areas. Fill a bucket with a gallon of warm water and a cup of bleach, or add trisodium phosphate (TSP) to speed up the process. Soak the brush in this solution and begin scrubbing. For smaller areas, a spray bottle may be more convenient.
Another option is to use a pressure washer, with or without a cleaning solution, as the force of the water will remove the mould.
For a deeper clean, a more powerful solution is required. Mix a 50/50 solution of water and bleach and apply it to the surface. Wear goggles and gloves for protection. Spray or brush this solution onto the affected area and leave it to sit for 15 minutes or more. Repeat this process until the mould is gone, then rinse and allow the surface to dry.
For plastic patio furniture, a commercial mould remover or vinegar can be used. Spray vinegar onto the mould, leave for an hour, then rinse with warm water and repeat.
For artwork, a solution of 10% bleach and distilled water can be used to clean glass, but always test on a small area first. For other art objects, a mixture of 70% commercial rubbing alcohol and distilled water is recommended.
For hard surfaces, scrub with detergent and water. For porous surfaces, avoid brushes and use a cloth instead so as not to damage the material.
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Rinse and dry
Rinse the surface with your garden hose. If you are cleaning outdoor furniture, rinse thoroughly with water. For interiors, rinse surfaces with clean water. If you are cleaning artwork, take the glass to another room and clean it with a solution of 10% bleach and distilled water. Test any cleaning solutions on a small patch before committing to cleaning the entire glass.
If you are cleaning a wall, rinse the wall thoroughly with another cloth or sponge and clean water. If the mold is relatively minimal and the wall is in good shape, use a dry brush to scrub off the surface layer of mold. This will make the area easier to treat.
Always dry any area you clean thoroughly. To speed up the job, try a mold cleaner specially formulated with fungicide. For very porous surfaces, such as ceiling tiles, removing the mold completely may not be possible, so consider replacing the affected material. Before painting, always thoroughly dry the surface, as exterior conditions can prolong drying time.
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