One of the culprits that causes dead, organic matter to decay is known as white mold. The problem for homeowners is when it lands on bricks as it begins to literally eat away at the brick and mortar.
There are always hundreds of white mold spores roaming around or rather floating around the home, however, they will only settle on the brick walls of your home because of moisture.
Other possible causes could be lack of air circulation and failure to remove the mold from the bricks regularly.
The type of mold growth is relatively harmless; however, it can become a nuisance unless you clean the bricks regularly. If you fail to remove it, the bricks can eventually become damaged.
What’s more, the longer the mold is left to its own devices, the larger it will grow and spread.
In the following guide, we’ll take a look at some of the ways that you can eliminate white mold growing on your bricks and keep it from coming back.
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What Causes Mold/Mildew to Grow on Bricks?
You are guaranteed to see white mold anywhere that water settles and in environments that are moist. This is because white mold needs water to reproduce.
So it tends to enjoy humid places. Inside the home, it can also grow in moist places such as the bathroom and laundry room. However, in order to keep mold out of your home, keep your rooms well ventilated.
This type of mold will also grow where there is little to no air circulation. Mold spores are always floating through the air and if the area inside or outside your home does not have proper circulation, then it is bound to settle and take root.
This type of mold also grows in attics, basements and crawl spaces that have poor air circulation. If you have brick walls inside the home, then you should install attic fans and cross-ventilate your home.
If you are worried about brick walls outside your home, then ensure that you keep the bricks free from dirt and grime.
Mold is inevitable for many homeowners. However, if it is cleaned right away, it will not cause too much damage. It can damage the bricks inside your home. Actually, the longer it is left to its own devices, the bigger the problem will become.
So to prevent damage to your bricks and your home, you should regularly clean your bricks and ensure that it is free of dirt and grime. If you want to eliminate mold outside the home, then a power washer is priceless.
How to Prevent Mold from Growing on Bricks
Mold and algae growing on your bricks looks rather unsightly, however, it can also lead to nasty accidents. This is especially for elderly people and children living in your home.
However, irrespective of whether you have bricks in the wall or your yard is paved, there are a few steps to follow in order to keep it clean and dry at all times.
Your bricks should be exposed to sunshine as often as possible. Mold tends to grow in any area that is out of direct sunlight. This is mainly because they hate dry heat and cannot survive in it.
So cut bushes and trees that are blocking your bricks from the sunlight and allow it to get as much of this natural light as possible. Also, increasing your bricks exposure to the sun as it will keep mold from recurring once it has been removed.
Leaks are other possible causes of mold on your bricks. Leaking gutters can cause excess water to run over your bricks and paving and speed up the growth of algae and mold as well. So the sooner you get the leaks sorted out, the sooner you can control mold from your bricks.
There should never be too much moisture over your bricks for long periods of time. So ensure that your paving is swept regularly and kept free from faling leaves and debris as this will help keep mold away.
Your bricks should also be cleaned regularly and rinsed with a hosepipe in order to keep mold and algae at bay.
Chlorine is probably one of the most effective chemicals in getting rid of mold and keeping it off your bricks. You will need to make a solution of 250 ml of pool chlorine and mix it with a 5 litre bucket of warm water. You can use cold water but warm water will dissolve the chlorine quicker.
If you don’t have chlorine, you can also make a 50-50 mix of strong bleach and cold water to get the job done. Before making use of the bleach mixture, you should rinse the bricks first with a hosepipe.
Chlorine should never be sprayed or applied directly onto the bricks. Once you’ve applied the chlorine mixture to the bricks, take a stiff brush and scrub off the algae and mold. Thereafter, wash the brick using a hosepipe.
Types of Mold that Grow on Bricks
While there are various types of mold that can grow on bricks, some are more common than others.
Black mold is probably one of the most common types of mold that you can find indoors or outdoors, however, when it comes to bricks that are used on walls outside or on paving’s, white mold seems to be the most common type.
The good news is that by cleaning your bricks with chlorine or bleach and ensuring that they get plenty of sunlight, you can keep this white mold at bay and prevent it from coming back again.
How to Get Rid of Mold and Mildew from Brick Surfaces
Getting rid of mold and mildew from brick surfaces is relatively easy if you know exactly what to do and what steps to follow.
Firstly, you need to completely wet the bricks before applying any detergents or chemicals onto it. So start by completely wetting the bricks using a hosepipe, thereafter, you should use a mix of chlorine and warm water and spray this over your bricks.
This mixer should be allowed to sit on your bricks for a few minutes before taking a stiff brush and scrubbing it off.
If you don’t have chlorine, then you can make another solution that includes a 50-50 mix of bleach and water.
Once again, the bricks should be scrubbed thoroughly and any trace of mold eliminated. Once you are done scrubbing, you should rinse off the brick surfaces thoroughly with a hosepipe and allow it to air dry and get plenty of sunlight.
How to Get Rid of Mold on Bricks with Homemade Natural Cleaners
#1 Water (pressurized or abrasive blasting)
If you have ever heard the term “pressure washing” and always wondered what it is, to put it simply, it is high-pressure water spraying that blasts away at mold, dirt and grime.
It can be used in various different surfaces and objects such as concrete surfaces and building structures. Ultimately the amount of mechanical pressure of the washer is equal to the gallons inside the pump.
Pressure washing is extremely effective in removing mold from various surfaces. Pressure washing is also referred to as power washing.
Pressure washing refers to washing the surface using a special tool and consists of 2 to 4 high-pressure chips located on a rotating bar that assists this process. Ultimately, this creates a uniform cleaning pattern and cleans flat surfaces very quickly.
Lots of people use pressure washing to clean decking, sidewalks, patios, siding, roofs, gutters and brick surfaces as well.
#2 Vinegar
If you’ve ever heard of people saying that they have removed mold using vinegar, there’s a good reason why.
Vinegar is a mild acid that kills approximately 82% and more of mold species. In some cases, baking soda is used in conjunction with the vinegar depending on the type of mold you are trying to eliminate.
However, white distilled vinegar on its own, watered down and placed in a spray bottle is effective on its own. The vinegar should be sprayed directly onto the moldy surface and allowed to sit for an hour.
Finally, you should wipe the area and allow it to dry. The smell of the vinegar should also clear within a few hours.
#3 Dish Soap (Dawn) & Salt
Although dish soap has been used to help get rid mold, it’s not very effective. Dish soap is a rather mild and gentle cleanser and therefore using this ingredient alone will not help you to eliminate mold.
Dish soap can, however, be added to the chlorine, bleach mixture or vinegar mixture in order to increase its effectiveness.
However, on its own it simply works as a mild cleanser and will not remove mold from any surface.
#4 Boric Acid
Boric acid is also very effective in eliminating mold. Warm water is excellent as it dissolves the boric acid quicker.
However, you should never ever use boiling water with this acid. In some cases, you can use hydrogen peroxide and added tit o the mixture; however, it is not compulsory.
When using the mixture, spray it onto the affected surfaces, leave it to sit for 2 minutes and then wipe the surfaces. Thereafter, ventilate the area well.
#5 Baking Soda
While baking soda is a mild multipurpose ingredient, it’s also a white mineral powder. This means it can be used to kill mold inside around your home and it is also safe to use around pets.
Aside from eliminating mold, this mixture will keep moisture at bay and help keep mold away.
In order to kill mold using baking soda, you need to add 1 quarter of a tablespoon baking soda to a spray bottle with water and shake until it is dissolves all the water and then spray the moldy area with the mixture.
Thereafter, allow it to sit for a few minutes using a scrub brush surface. Then rinse the surface with water and remove moldy residue from the surface. Spray the surface again and allow it to dry.
How Often Will I Need to Clean Brick Surfaces?
Brick surfaces need to be cleaned as often as it gets dirty.
So in the event that sap from a tree falls on it, or dirt and grime accumulate from dropped food etc., you will need to have the brick surfaces cleaned thoroughly.
Most people clean their bricks a few times a year and this is enough to keep them clean, dry and free from mold.
However, if your brick surfaces do not get much sunlight and are prone to collecting dirt, you may need to clean them more often.
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