Mold: A bigger threat than you know!

Here at SharkProWash, we have seen our fair share of mold and mildew on every exterior surface you can imagine. Particularly in Florida, our humid and wet conditions create the perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, and algae, all of which can stain the surfaces of your property. People often think that our pressure washing and soft washing services are just meant to improve the appearance of the properties we service. While this is true, it is important to note that professional cleaning services have a much greater value here. They can dramatically improve the health and safety conditions of your property! This is actually the bigger benefit. 

Understanding just how big a threat mold is can help you better see the value of pressure washing and soft washing your surfaces. Whether you do the task yourself or hire professionals, it is definitely something that should be done to avoid any health issues or property damage. Before we address some power washing tips, let’s take a deeper dive into the topic of mold!

What exactly is mold?

Mold is actually a fungus that releases harmful spores into the air. These organisms thrive in the moist, hot conditions here in Florida. There are many types of mold that can affect your health. Black mold is the one most commonly known, but there are actually too many different species of mold for us to even cover in this blog. So let’s just agree that it all needs to be removed!

Where can mold grow on your property?

The short answer: Anywhere. Here are some common areas where it develops:

• Siding 
• Roof shingles  
• Concrete 
• Screen enclosures 
• Hard surfaces 
• Decks 
• Patios

What dangers does mold present to your family and property?

Outdoor mold is so common in Florida that people do not realize how hazardous it can be for their health. Typically, it is more dangerous for people who have breathing issues, allergies, or other pre-existing health conditions. For this population, breathing in mold can make them sicker and cause further complications. 

For otherwise healthy people, mold can still be a danger. The problem is that exposure to mold can present symptoms that mimic a cold, allergies, or other common illnesses. For this reason, you may go on treating these symptoms but continue to worsen because you are still being exposed to mold on a daily basis.  Some of these symptoms include: 

• Runny nose 
• Sneezing 
• Watery eyes
• Post nasal drip 
• Cough 
• Dry skin 

It is true that outdoor mold poses less of an immediate threat when compared to indoor mold. However, consider this: Many of the stains on your property are not just dirt but mold. So if your walkways, sidewalks, driveway, patio, or deck have mold on them, there are now spores on the bottoms of your shoes. Yes, the same shoes that you wear to your house. Sooner or later, the mold will make its way inside, where it can be a more significant threat. 

Everyone knows that children and pets have a way of getting into all the places they should not be. It is relatively easy for children to get mold spores on their hands from touching their shoes or playing outside. If they touch their face or do not wash their hands properly, this can lead to illness. 

When mold forms on siding, it can stain the surface and ruin the appearance of your home. The mold that grows on decks can damage the paint and eat through the wood, causing a need to replace some or all of your deck. Mold on shingles can significantly decrease the life expectancy of your roof. It can damage shingles and lead to excess moisture and leaks. The mold on your sidewalks can also give them an unsightly appearance. Besides the stains, mold can make your concrete surfaces slippery, which can lead to falls and injuries on your property.

Pressure Washing and Soft Washing to Remove Outdoor Mold 

Both pressure washing and soft washing can eradicate mold from your outdoor surfaces. But whether you hire someone to do the job or handle it yourself, it is important for you to understand the proper cleaning methods for different types of surfaces. 

First, let us explain the difference between the two different methods. Pressure washing relies on highly pressurized water to clean surfaces. Soft washing, on the other hand, is a combination of specialized cleaning solutions and lower pressure.  

Pressure washing, or power washing, can cause a lot of damage if not done properly. It is only recommended for hard surfaces such as walkways, driveways, sidewalks, stones, patio pavers, and patio furniture. There are many surfaces you should NEVER pressure wash. These include screen enclosures, siding, and roofs. This can cause significant damage to your property. A soft washing solution can still make these surfaces pristine while keeping them intact. Decks can be particularly tricky because they can be pressure washed, but only by a professional. It is easy to use pressure that is too high or place the tip of the cleaner too close to your wood and really ruin the appearance of your deck. Soft washing is recommended if you are insistent on doing this job yourself. 

What can the SharkProWash team do for you?

With years of experience in this industry, our team is ready to attack the mold (and anything else!) lurking on your surfaces. As licensed and insured professionals in our field, we pride ourselves on using the proper techniques to ensure there is no damage to your property. We understand the knowledge of proper safety protocols, so when you hire us, there are no risks involved!

We love delivering instant results that drop JAWS! If you are in the areas of Jacksonville, Fleming Island, or Mandarin, FL, we are available to professionally clean your commercial or residential property. Our services can raise your property value while improving the health and safety conditions of your space. We offer services for pressure washing, house washing, window cleaning, screen enclosures, roof washing, sanitizing, and more! Let us take a bite out of your to-do list! Call us today for a free estimate!