5 Common Household Molds and Getting Rid Of Them
How We Use Pressure Washing Supplies to Remove Mold
Have you ever noticed dark black stains on your outdoor patio or staining on your siding? You may have mold built up on your surfaces. Because mold is a living organism, simply removing what the eye can see with water may leave behind live mold spores. Bleach is the most common and most recommended cleaner for killing mold in outdoor places. However, we recommend working with a professional company like Labor Panes to use pressure washing supplies and methods to safely remove outdoor mold.
While mold is unsightly, it also can pose health risks for your family or damage your home surfaces like siding. Learn more about the 5 most common household molds, how to clean mold from windows, and how the Labor Panes team uses pressure washing supplies and professional methods to safely eliminate algae and mold.
Type 1: Acremonium
Acremonium is a toxigenic mold that evolves in appearance over time.
Color: Pink, gray, white, or orange
Where It’s Found: In humidifiers, cooling coils, drain pains, window sealants
Dangers: Disease in bone marrow, immune system issues, impair brain function
How to Remove: For a DIY method, use a bathroom cleaner that is capable of removing mold. Spray the affected area and then wipe with a dry rag. Most of those types of cleaners contain bleach so take proper precautions: wear gloves, make sure the area is properly ventilated, and take caution to avoid content with your face and clothes.
Type 2: Alternaria
Alternaria is the most common allergenic mold in the world.
Color: Velvet-textured, has dark green or brown “hair”
Where It’s Found: Grows in damp spaces like bathtubs, showers, below sinks
Dangers: Asthma and other issues in upper respiratory tract
How to Prevent: Clean your basement and bathrooms frequently with a bleach solution to keep this mold away.
Type 3: Lichen
Lichen is a common mold that grows on house siding and shingles.
Color: Green in color and can damage wooden surfaces
Where It’s Found: Siding, sidewalks, shingles
Dangers: Damage to the outside of a house, decrease in curb appeal, can carry it inside on shoes
How to Remove: The Labor Panes team uses a soft wash method and pressure washing supplies that involves a cleaning solution as well as light pressure to remove mold. The cleaning solution contains sodium hypochlorite (mostly commonly known as bleach). The cleaning solution is what kills the mold spores, using high pressure or water and soap only would not be as effective.
Type 4: Aspergillus
Aspergillus is an allergenic and common household mold.
Color: 185 species appearing in many different colors, long-flash-shaped spores that form thick walls or layers of mold.
Where It’s Found: Grows on a variety of surfaces
Dangers: Allergies, but could be more toxic depending on species and environment
How to Remove: Mix a weak bleach water solution and wipe down the surfaces in your home
Type 5: Ulocladium
Color: Usually black in color.
Where It’s Found: Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and around windows with high condensation levels.
Dangers: People with a predisposition to allergies or immune disorders can have serious reactions such as fever or skin irritation.
How to Remove: If you’re looking how to clean mold from windows, we recommend calling in a professional to evaluate and remove it. However, you can do a few things like keeping windows closed and locked to keep moisture away to prevent the growth of this type of mold. Consider fans or vents in the area to increase ventilation, especially important in bathroom or kitchen areas and wiping down your bathroom surfaces with a bleach cleaner.
Seeking a Professional for Help
When left untreated, mold can damage your interior and exterior surfaces like siding and shingles. If you’re not certain if you have mold or what type of mold you’re facing, we always recommend seeking professional advice and services for safe mold removal. Mold is always related to moisture issues, and while some exterior mold is inevitable, you can rely on Labor Panes to safely remove exterior mold with pressure washing supplies and professional methods.
Contact our team today with any exterior mold questions or concerns for advice.
