What to Do If the Siding on Your House is Turning Green

Is the siding on your house starting to turn green? This can ruin the aesthetic of your home and be a big eyesore to not only you but also your neighbors. While there are effective ways of removing the green stains, it’s important to figure out exactly what is causing the problem so you can avoid more work than you have to.

So, why is my siding turning green? The reason the siding on your house is turning green is due to an excess amount of moisture in the area causing algae growth. Green stains on the siding can be algae, mold, mildew, or fungus, all of which require a moist environment to survive.

Siding is designed to protect the inside of your home from the elements. Taking good care of your siding will help to keep your home protected. If you notice green stains on the siding of your home, diagnosing and fixing the issue will enable the siding to keep doing its job. Keep reading to learn more about what to do if you notice your siding turning green.

Why Does Siding Turn Green?

The growth of algae, mildew, fungus, or mold all require a wet environment. If you notice any of these pests on your siding, it’s a good indication that there may be an issue with water being moved away from your home properly. Start by checking your gutters to see if they need to be cleaned or if they are cracked and leaking. This may cause dripping onto the siding of your home, which could lead to the growth of mold.

Check any drains or pipes used to navigate water away from your home. Usually, you can stop mold and mildew from growing on the siding of your home simply by repairing the gutter system of your house.

How to Tell Whether Mold or Algae is Growing on Your Siding

It’s important to determine exactly what is growing on your siding before you go to remove it. Algae is largely a cosmetic issue that is easy and safe to remove. Mold can be a sign of further damage and can be dangerous and difficult to remove.

Algae requires sunlight to survive while mold prefers damp and dark areas. One way to get an idea of what type of substance you’re dealing with is to see how the siding of your house is affected by the sun. Does the siding receive direct sunlight throughout the day or does it stay mostly shaded?

If you’re unsure about the substance you’re dealing with, your safer option is to hire a professional power washing company or exterior home cleaning businesses to expect the green stains and determine the substance.

Supplies Needed to Remove Green Stains From Your Siding

If you’re looking to remove green stains from your siding all by yourself, there are some supplies you are going to need. The severity of the green stains will determine exactly what supplies you use. If you know that you are dealing with mold, consider hiring a professional company rather than doing the work yourself. This can keep you and your family safe from the effects of mold.

Here is a list of supplies you’ll need to remove green stains from your siding:

1. Bucket
2. Water
3. Cleaning Gloves
4. Dish Soap 
5. Cleaning Solutions like bleach solution or TSP Cleaner
6. Ladder
7. Scrub Brush
8. Hose
9. Power Washer (See our top rated power washers with ratings and reviews)

Before you start washing, make sure all exterior electrical outlets are covered and protected, all doors and windows to the interior are closes, and garden plants are covered as needed to protect them from the cleaning solution.

How to Clean Green Stains From Your Siding

Now it’s time to clean the siding of your home. If you have decided to clean your home by yourself, having another person there to help you can be beneficial. This can make the job easier and help you stay safe when climbing up ladders or using a power washer.

For Light Stains on the Siding

Light stains on the siding may look like a few splotches here and there of mildew and algae. Algae is relatively easy to remove. If your siding just has a light stain, this may be the method to use.

1. For light stains on the siding, you can use a water and dish soap solution.
2. Start by spraying down the siding with a hose.
3. Put your solution in a bucket. Use a scrub brush to scrub the stains off with the solution.
4. Use your ladder to reach stains high up on your home.
5. Once the stains have been removed, spray the siding down with the hose one more time.

For Moderate Stains on the Siding

Moderate stains on your siding may cover a large area of the side of your home. The stain will look thicker than a light stain, requiring more effort to remove. By using a bleach or TSP solution, you will not only be cleaning the siding but also killing any bacteria, mold, or fungus that may have formed.

1. For moderate stains, you can use water with bleach or TSP solution.
2. Start by spraying down the siding with the house.
3. Put your solution in a bucket. Use the scrub brush and the solution to remove stains.
4. Use your ladder to reach stains high up on your home.
5. Once the stains have been removed, spray the siding down with the hose one more time.

For Heavy Stains on the Siding

If you decide to clean mold stains off the siding by yourself, you will want to use this method to remove the mold. Be sure to wear a facemask if you’re removing mold. If there are heavy dark stains over the siding, you’ll want to use this method. Heavy stains will require a power washer, which uses the power of a water stream to remove heavy dirt and debris.

1. For heavy stains that are difficult to remove, you can use a power washer. If used incorrectly, power washers can cause the siding to chip and break. If you are inexperienced with using a power washer, consider hiring a professional power washing company.
2. Add TSP to the power washing tank in order to clean the siding.
3. With most power washers, you can use low pressure with a wide-tipped wand when washing siding.
4. Once you are done power washing, use the hose to rinse the solution from the siding.

Check out our list for Best Power Washer for Siding

How to Keep Your Siding From Staining Green

Once you’ve removed stains from the siding of your home, how can you keep the stains from coming back? The first thing you should do is fix any dripping or leaks that lead water to the siding. Having your house inspected by a professional home inspector can be an easy way to find damage to the water removal system.

Another way you can keep algae, mold, and mildew from forming on your siding is by regularly cleaning the side of your home. This will keep the areas clean of bacteria, debris, and fungi that can take root when left alone. While this may seem like a lot of work, cleaning the siding of your home just twice a year can make a world of difference when it comes to keeping the sidings free of stains.

I hope this article was helpful to you in learning how to remove green stains from the siding of your home. Green stains can ruin the cosmetic look of the exterior of your home. With a little knowledge, removing the green stains from the siding of your home can be an easy and simple process.

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