You could spend hours washing mould and grime from your building. The hard landscape areas like concrete, decking, and fences can take even longer to clean. In a month or two, mould and grime will return, especially in the damp, shady areas.

A wash-down product will remove the mould and grime. It will also clean the surfaces. But it doesn't kill the spores. The mould will regrow rapidly.

Learning how to treat mould is the best way to beat it and prevent it from returning for longer.

‍

‍Preventing mould around the exterior of your home with moss and mould treatment product

Moss and mould products are the best way to keep fungus away. They kill the mould spores and prevent re-growth. The product is also residual and remains on the surface, so it continues to work for a longer period of time.

Moulds that grow on the outside of homes are black, green, and pink/orange. Once things get really bad, moss and lichen can begin to grow too.

After soft washing your house or outdoor surfaces, apply the moss and mould treatment to the mould-prone areas.

It is a good idea to re-treat the areas once or twice a year depending on how prone to mould the area is. Moulds hold moisture on painted or coated surfaces longer. This promotes further growth and increases the risk of damage to the surfaces.

Pink/orange mould is the worst for damaging paint. A normal house wash will not remove it. To remove it instantly, apply a concentrated mix of moss and mould killer. Gently scrub the area, then treat it again with the killer.

Alternatively, you can treat it and it will clean up over the next week or two. If it is particularly bad, you may need to apply a booster treatment after the first few weeks if it is not cleaning up.

As a rule, treat mould-prone areas to prevent bad mould.

The best time to apply a mould treatment product is autumn and winter, and if needed again, spring. These seasons are typically when we get less sun and more rainfall. Throw in a few warm days into the mix and moulds will flourish, growing even faster.

‍

Areas you can treat with moss and mould killer

The product can be applied to a vast array of surfaces. Just check that your product has no bleach. Also, ensure it is safe for the surfaces you will use it on. Common areas it can be used for are:

• Houses and buildings
• Driveways
• Roofs
• Decks
• Pathways
• Steps
• Patios
• Tiles
• Pavers
• Fences
• Trellis
• Eaves
• Guttering
• Greenhouses
• Garden furniture
• Boats
• Caravans
• Bricks
• Masonry
• Paint
• Concrete
• Letterboxes
• Railway sleepers
• Rocks
• Wood

‍

‍

Instructions for treating mould-prone areas

‍

Step 1 – Get organised with the right equipment; we recommend:

● Hose

● Moss and mould treatment products. You can buy these at your local hardware store. If you buy a concentrated product, you will need a way to apply it, such as a garden knapsack.

● You may also need a ladder to apply the cleaning product to higher-up areas.

● Safety glasses and gloves.

‍

Step 2 – Get your house prepared

● Ensure that there is no washing on the line or it may get product on it

● If you have potted plants or furniture close to the house, it is a good idea to move these away from the house. Also, remove any shoes, doormats, or anything else that you don’t want to get wet.

● Go around and check all windows and doors are tightly closed. If your windows and doors are old (particularly if they are wooden). It’s a good idea to put towels down in case they leak.

● If you have cats or dogs, ensure they are inside or in a place where they feel safe. Water blasters can be noisy and scary. So, we advise ensuring your fur baby feels safe. The same goes for other animals, like cats, caged birds, and cute guinea pigs and rabbits.

● If you have fishponds close to the house, you should cover them.

‍

Step 3  - Apply the cleaning product  

You will find instructions and tips on how to wash cladding here

‍

Step 4 – Apply the treatment product.  

Mix up your moss and mould product. If you have a ready-mixed product, attach the applicator to the hose per the bottle's instructions.

Apply the product to the area with a pump sprayer or the applicator that comes with the bottle in even strokes. Start at the top if you are treating cladding, fences, retaining walls, etc., and work your way down. Leave the product on the surfaces to work its magic.

It can take 1 to 14 days to work. If the area is bad, you may need a booster treatment if it hasn't cleaned up after 14 days.

‍

TIPS

Applying the product

When it comes to purchasing and applying the treatment product, you have a few options:

Option one is buying the product with an applicator attached to the bottle. This attaches to the hose, and most applicators will enable you to reach up to 2 stories high without a ladder. Check the instructions on the label to see how high the brand’s applicator will enable you to get.

Option two is to use a spray pump bottle to apply the product. This won't give you the reach of option one. However, a spray pump bottle might be all you need if you only have small areas to treat and don't need much height.

‍

Check concentration rates in the ingredients

You can buy the product in larger, concentrated quantities, like 4 and 5 litres. Mixing this with water will be much cheaper and give you more product. If you buy the product in a bottle with an applicator, you can reuse it. Just fill it with your concentrated product.

Some treatment products are more diluted than others. So, check the price per litre of the diluted solution. E.g the purchase price divided by the amount of diluted solution when it’s made up.

Whether you buy it ready-mixed or as a concentrate, check the percentage of the active ingredient when mixed.