Removing Black Spots From Vinyl Siding

As rainwater and condensation accumulate on vinyl siding it can develop black spots of mold and mildew.

Removing black spots from vinyl siding.

The black tar like spots that are all over your vinyl siding are more than likely a fungus called sphaerobolus stellatus better known as artillery or shotgun fungus although it s most often found on the east coast it can grow anywhere and especially thrives in areas that have cool damp springs or rainy fall weather conditions. Standard household cleaners won t necessarily remove. Read on and we ll show you how to clean vinyl siding the right way. It s hard to see shotgun fungus itself because it s only 2 millimeters wide.

When mildew gains a foothold homeowners often turn to diluted chlorine bleach sodium hypochlorite a k a. Also known as artillery or cannonball fungus sphaerobolus it uses internal water pressure to forcefully fire its spores similar to seeds up to 20 feet away the fungus sets its sights on bright areas so that means it will aim for any pale surface that reflects light such as the siding on your house. Vinyl siding requires care to keep it looking its best. Insect stains and other debris can be removed by simply cleaning vinyl siding with household cleaners.

For tough spots like paint drips tar and pencil and pen marks use a nonabrasive bathtub cleaner or nylon scrub pad. Your standard household whitener it appears to make mildew vanish but on porous surfaces such as wood or vinyl siding chlorine evaporates too quickly to get to the fungi s roots guaranteeing regrowth. Clean tough stains off with a nonabrasive cleaner or a homemade vinyl siding cleaner of soap and water that won t damage the surface of the vinyl. Vinyl siding is very popular due to its durability and simple maintenance.

Vinyl siding may appear maintenance free but if you are the proud owner of a home with siding you have already learned that it simply isn t so. Removing mildew from vinyl siding. Luckily cleaning vinyl siding is a fairly easy job and there are a wide variety of products to help remove typical stains. Over time and through repeated changes in weather vinyl siding will attract and develop mold or mildew spots especially in north facing and other shaded areas.