Prevent Mold and Mildew on Home Exterior

By Mark J. Donovan

Do you have mold or mildew forming on your roof shingles or home siding? If so there are a few basic things you can do to prevent this situation from reoccurring after you remove what is already there for mold and mildew.

There are three main reasons why mold and mildew form on your home’s exterior. They are (1) high moisture levels, (2) lack of airflow, and (3) lack of sunshine.

To prevent mold and mildew from forming on the exterior of your home you need to address all three of these issues.

For preventative care on an existing home, look at the shrubs and trees around your home. Keep the shrubs trimmed and away from the home siding. Second, if your home is enveloped by large trees remove them, or at least thin them out. This will allow sunshine to come through and hit the home, as well as allow air to circulate around the home. The sunlight and airflow will help keep the home drier and thus prevent mold and mildew from forming.

If you have plans to build a new home, make sure you consider where your roof valleys will lie relative to the sun. If your roof valleys are planned to face north, chances are you will eventually have mold and mildew forming on the roof shingles and siding that is constantly shaded. Remember from your boy/girl scouts days and the training that moss typically forms on the north sides of trees. The same is true with houses.

Consider positioning your home so that the roof valleys get sufficient sunlight throughout the day, or eliminating the roof valleys where they would otherwise face the north. Of course changing roof valleys in your home design might sound drastic, but on the other hand dealing with mold and mildew on your home can alternatively become a big problem for you and your number one investment.