Seeing a stain on your siding is common, especially without routine maintenance on your home. Part of the reason staining is so common on siding is that there are several different types. In this article, our objective is to list the types of stains most commonly found on the side of your home and what tends to cause them.
Common Stains on Siding
Dirt
Dirt is the most basic stain you will see on your home. There are many ways that dirt attaches itself to your siding, some of which are caused by the elements. For example, if there is a bad storm with a lot of wind, loose dirt and mud can be blown through the air and end up on your home. Inversely, you can also cause dirt to end up on your siding while you are landscaping or something similar around your home.
Algae
If you are seeing green stuff on your siding, primarily found on the northside of the home, it means that algae has attached itself to the siding. Algae is one of the most common growths that homeowners will see on their home. The origins of algae on siding are not always clear, but the most frequent source comes from bodies of water. For example, Lake Erie houses algal blooming that is worsened by sewage and runoff into the lake. This pollution allows the algae to feed and grow, which it will do once it becomes airborne and begins to attach itself to and feed off the dirt on your siding. While algae won’t cause any structural damage, it can embed itself into the siding if it is not addressed.
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew forming on siding is caused by the accumulation of moisture on the siding. The likelihood of mold or mildew growing on siding increases when the moisture originates on an area of the home that receives little to no sunlight. Like algae, mold and mildew feed off the dirt that already exists on the siding. Both mold and mildew are fungi, but they have different looks to them. Mold is primarily green or black in color while mildew tends to range from white to yellow. Mold should especially be removed due to the health risks it poses.
How Perfect Power Wash Can Help
Perfect Power Wash has spent the past 20+ years cleaning tens of thousands of homes just like yours. Using a soft wash method, we apply specialized cleansers to your siding that will remove any dirt, algae, mold, or mildew. Afterward, we perform a thorough rinse with a safe pressure to bring the luster back to your home. If algae, dirt, mold, or mildew are spoiling the once-beautiful look of your home’s exterior, the professionals at Perfect Power Wash are standing by ready to restore and protect your largest investment. Learn more about our house wash process.