Many homeowners try a myriad of techniques to get rid of the mold problems with decking. Yet the mold just keeps coming back! Is there a permanent solution?

In order to understand this mold problem, you need to realize that mold gets nutrients from cellulose-based materials and other organic substances. This includes wood. Most decking is made of wood, thus providing a food source for the fungi. Another point to realize is that mold and mildew are everywhere, you can never get rid of it all. But getting rid of what you can, keeps your home healthy and your deck looking pristine.

The key to solving the ‘mold on decking’ mystery, is to prevent the aggregation of mold spores in the first place. Once the mold takes hold and begins to proliferate, as you may already know, it’s a battle to remove it.

One solution to the problem is composite decking. This is a technology that is resistant to mildew, microbes such as mold, and other pests such as termites. You’ll also be doing your part in keeping the earth green, as the material is eco-friendly and is made from 50% recycled material such as plastic. It is not completely maintenance free, but rather, low maintenance.

Usually mold appears on decking solely because of high levels of moisture. It may be a good idea to gap the decking properly at a minimum of 1/8” so that trapped moisture can escape. Also make sure that gutters are not leaking or over flowing on the deck.

Another simple way to prevent mold from growing on your deck is to sweep it weekly especially in season such as spring and summer when pollen levels are high.

Water basting is a safe and effective way to get rid of mold on decking, as well as off the exterior walls of your home. It’s always safer to call in a professional, but it you choose to do the job yourself, please make sure you wear appropriate safety equipment such as goggles or safety glasses, gloves and dust mask. Don’t forget to protect any furniture and plants around the deck. Also, wear old clothes while doing the job, and make sure they are thoroughly washed soon after.

Tip: If possible, try spraying with hot water since most fungi cannot survive temperatures over 140 F. Again this is probably something that should be done by a professional, but should you choose to do it yourself, maybe you could make sure that young children are not home, and other people around the house know that you’re carrying out the procedure.

There are also affordable cleaning products available at basic chain stores. Some of these are extremely effective in loosening up the mold with no scrubbing at all. All you have to do is just water blast the residue away.

Getting rid of mold from your decking can be a frustrating and tedious job. The best solution is prevention. But once mold shows up again there are several techniques and cleaning agents that can help to keep your decking looking pristine.

Ah, the open sea, the fresh air, and the clear blue skies. That is the imagery that you hope your boat can paint for you over and over again. But boats by nature are based in moisture rich areas, and moisture is fertile grounds for mold growth. Quite simply, a mold is a kind of fungi that finds humid and warm conditions particularly fertile to form on. This is the reason they are commonly found in place like the shower or basements and attics. And of course, boats.

Fret not, though. Today, you can find an array of ways to get rid of that mold problem you might have. But before we get to solve the problem, let’s address ways in which you can prevent it.

If you find that the seats or upholstery have become damp in your boat, then we suggest you do what it takes to dry it up. Usually they are detachable and hanging them out to dry is not a problem. You should also see try to let as much direct sunlight fall on it as possible and allow in ample ventilation. Good air circulation will draw the moisture out of your upholstery, so letting that sun shine and ventilating is something you can do even during the fall or winter.

Its also always good idea to clean up your boat as thoroughly as possible before you leave it at the Marina or store it away for the winter. This will make sure you don’t have to worry about frozen dirt in the spring. And it will also give you chance to make sure that there are no damp spots in the boat and especially its upholstery.

Consider taking off the boat’s convertible top and other canvas accessories before you pack it up for the winter. But do this only if you have space to hand them out in a garage or some place like that, as rolling them up could spell trouble when vermin find it a cozy home.

In any case, if you still have mold on your boat then you have many options of ready made products that can deal with it. It might be wiser to use organic and natural products though since they will cause very little impact on the environment and yet get the job done well. And the prices aren’t much different from regular cleaners anyway. How these cleaners work is, you just add the solution to some hot water. Then, it’s the same as wiping or cleaning anything else with a brush or sponge. You can also fill an empty spray bottle to spot clean if you should so chose. Most solutions are usable on sailcloth, fiber glass, wood as well as aluminum. As long as your experience of the open sea is not ruined by mold, it’s going to be an enjoyable one!

Why would mold want to grow in the crawl space under your house of all places? The answer to this question is that the crawl space under your house has the prime conditions for mold and mildew to grow. Mold requires warm dark and moist conditions, and nutrients for optimal growth.

Crawl spaces are usually dark. They are a nutrient paradise, as they contain dust and wood. It is also a hard task to control moisture there. This means that crawl spaces have a higher chance of forming mold colonies than any other part of your house. It is therefore really important that you do regular investigations of the area, as this can affect the stability of your house. Look out for back growths growing on wooden materials. Especially watch out for the mold on frames, as this would be the easiest route for it to spread to other areas of the house.

Another tell-tell sign of a mold problem is a musty smell the fungi produces. Once it has reached the stage where you can smell it from your house, then the problem is escalated. Something needs to be done before beams supporting your house begin to collapse.

The problem can largely be solved by ventilating the crawl space adequately. A clearance of about 4-5 feet will reduce the problem dramatically. It is also important to make sure that all the walls of your foundation have vents.

Decks contribute to the moisture in the crawl space. This is because the soil under the decks receives very little air and remains moist. This moisture eventually seeps its way into the crawl space.

There are several courses of action that you can take:

1. Cover the entire of the crawl space surface with some sort of porous material like gravel
2. Use a fan to make sure that the air is well ventilated and circulating well.
3. Use a dehumidifier to constantly draw water out and replace air
4. Install a vapor barrier – Warm air travels upwards.

This same principal applies to the air in the crawl spaces. It is sucked up into the house through cracks. Remember that the air in the crawl space contains spores and other dangerous toxins. A vapor barrier is a waterproof lining that covers the soil on the surface of the crawl space in the stale air from the crawl space from rising into the house. This also prevents that musty odor that mold causes from entering the house.

The reasons to clean up the mold in your craw space are endless. The primary issue most people are concerned with is their health and how the mold may affect it. Apart from spores, fungi also produce toxins that can cause a number of different reactions. One of the most common reactions to mold is asthma, but toxins from mold in crawl spaces has been linked to several other more devastating diseases.

Keeping your crawl spaces mold free doesn’t have to be difficult. Many different measures can be put up to prevent mold from destroying your house and ruining your health.