In sprucing up your home exteriors like gutters, knowing the best tools and cleaners to use isn’t enough. You must also know how to clean mildew off gutters the right way.
Stained and molded gutters do not only leave unpleasant marks on your home exterior. It can also deprive sidings of its very function of drifting rainwater, or anything that falls from above, away from your walls, basements, and wooden windows and sidings.
So, you should pay attention to them as much as you care for your home interiors.
While the idea of cleaning gutters may get you hesitating, you can remove any mildew sitting on your curbs completely. By following a set of cleaning instructions, getting rid of mold on gutters can be a simple, straightforward task.
Here, we’ll give you plenty of options to choose from in cleaning your home gutters. Worry no more, as we will also include a step-by-step process to do a safe and efficient gutter mildew removal.
What Causes Mildew Or Mold On Your Gutters?
First off, you may be wondering why even your gutters are no safe place from mold infestation. Well, it may be because of the region or area your house is located.
Humid areas are very prone to mold or mildew growth. Also, you may notice that the mildew growth usually happens after the autumn season when leaves drip and sit on your gutters.
Pest-infected fallen leaves are likely to cause mildew contamination inside the gutters. The mildew may appear black, leaving very unsightly stains on the inside and outside of the sidings.
Differences in temperature from outside to inside your home can also set the stage for mildew emergence. Molds indeed dwell on any places they reach.
Like your roof gutters, your awnings may also become a victim of mold infestation. If you ever encounter mold infection on your home’s sunshade, you don’t have to worry as there’s a helpful guide on how to clean an awning with mold.
5 Ways To Get Rid Of Mildew From Your Home Trenches
Below are the steps to lead you in cleaning mildew off gutters, along with the set of tools and cleaning solutions you can choose from to make your housework experience easy and effective.
Before you begin the actual work, you need to follow some pre-treatment instructions. These include:
- Wearing protective gear such as rubber gloves, goggles, face masks, and protective hats and clothing as you can be dealing with harsh chemicals and dangerous mold exposure.
- If you have plants on your porch or yard opposite the gutters, you may want to cover them with a plastic tarp as some cleaning solutions can harm them.
- Before removing the mildew, one of the most critical reminders is to scoop or hose out any debris, such as leaves and small twigs sitting inside your gutters.
However, suppose you find climbing all the way up just to clean out the dirt accumulation a somewhat risky task. In that case, you can choose to use a pressure washer hose with an adjustable telescopic rod to help you clean.
Step #1. Tool checking
After ensuring to follow all the pre-work guides, it’s now time to get rid of the mildew off the gutters. You’ll want to check your storage room for all the necessary tools and equipment to begin the process.
Check for a ladder, a bucket, a water hose, and a solid but soft-bristled brush.
Step #2. Choosing your blend of cleaners
Many pantry items can be your best aid in getting rid of mildews. With their different cleaning powers, you can have an easy way out of pesky cleaning.
Some cleaners you can choose from include those that are store-bought and homemade ones:
- Bleach and detergent mixture
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Cream of tartar
- TSP-PF cleaner
Whichever you choose among these cleaning agents, ensure to mix them with water before applying directly on the molded surface.
Step #3. Applying cleaners
Put the cleaning solution inside and outside the gutter and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
Step #4. Scrub gutters and repeat process
Brush off all the stains and ensure to leave no dirt as you repeat the application and scrubbing process.
Step #5. Rinse gutters with water
Finally, after ensuring that mildew buildup and stains are scrubbed out, it’s time to turn on the house and rinse away the remaining cleaning solution, along with the dirt that came from brushing.
How To Prevent Mold Or Mildew Buildup On Gutters
The best way to prevent mildew accumulation is to clean gutters after every fall season or before snow season sets in. Using a pressure washer, you can wash out things standing on your channels at least 3 to 4 times a year.
You’ll also want your garage to be free of molds when cold weather comes. Here’s a helpful article on how to prevent mold in garage you can read on.
Conclusion
The ways on how to clean mildew off gutters are indeed simple and easy to follow. You just need to pick what you think would be the best cleaning agents and tools for your mildew housework.
However, calling on professional mold remediators is still a part of your options, especially when dealing with persistent and dangerous types of mildew.