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.

Old and antique pieces are often prone to develop mold on them, if not taken
proper care of. Mold or mildew can be better described as a kind of fungus which
is mostly found in damp and humid regions. This mold can easily be located on
bits of wood, natural clothes or any substance which is even the slightest touch
of organic elements like soil or food. This is one of the main reasons why
antique wood furniture is more susceptible to develop mold on them. Several ways
on how to clean mold from antique wood furniture are discussed here below.

One of the most important questions which bother individuals is how to clean
molds from antique wood furniture. Though there are several mold preventers
available in the market today, it is better to observe proper precautions to
prevent antique wood furniture become mold-infested. These preventive measures
include removing any traces of dampness and cleaning the furniture regularly.

The mildew fungus requires a temperature of at least 75 degrees to 85 degrees
Fahrenheit. People often tend to confuse this mildew fungus with dust and
ignore it. Individuals who come across mold on antique wooden furniture can
check it by placing a little amount of chlorine on it. If the spot on the
furniture is mildew fungus, the spot will automatically disappear.

People often keep their antique wooden furniture which is not being use
currently in their basements. Basements are one of the target areas where mold
develops on wooden furniture. This primarily happens because basements are often
the most neglected and damp areas of a house with little or no access to any
form of direct sunlight. The area, in which antique furniture is placed, should
always be well-ventilated and regularly cleaned in order to prevent accumulation
of molds.

There are also high chances of an underground basement being continually wet
because of leaking pipe fittings or faulty/outdated hardware settings.
Accumulation of molds on antique wooden furniture can be reduced significantly
if proper stress is laid on the implementation of good quality waterproofing
materials and hardware solutions. Stagnant water should never be allowed near
wooden furniture as it acts as the breeding ground for the mold causing fungi.

People are often worried about methods on how to clean mold from antique wood
furniture. This can be easily done by cleaning the surface of antique furniture
with a mild detergent. This should be immediately followed up by rubbing off the
furniture with a dry cloth to remove any traces of dampness.

Several other methods which can be adopted to remove mold from antique
furniture include using powerful cleaners which are specially designed to
eliminate any trace of mold from antique furniture and make it shining again
like brand new. Though, a patch test should be carried out to check whether
these cleaners do not distort the look of the furniture. But generally, these
cleaners made from wax are a sure-shot way to eliminate mold from furniture and
prevent its recurrence as it forms a protective layer over the surface of the
wooden furniture.