Are you finding odd black spots on your concrete that concern you? These spots may very well be mold that has grown overtime.
Mold on your concrete is a valid reason to be concerned, but there are actions you can take to get rid of the unsightly mold and drastically improve your curb appeal. Professionals can effectively wash mold off concrete in no time.
Is Mold on Concrete Dangerous?
Mold on concrete can be dangerous when left untreated for a long period of time. Black mold can aggravate allergies, irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and cause asthma attacks. Some more extreme reactions people have to mold include developing pneumonia and bronchitis, migraines, dizziness, and memory problems.
Beyond physical problems that mold on concrete can cause, it can also create structural problems. Mold contains an acid that is harmful to the chemical makeup of concrete. The mold breaks down the concrete so it becomes more porous, allowing more moisture to seep into the concrete. The increased moisture can spread beyond the concrete and eventually hit the home’s exterior, creating even more problems.
What Mold on Concrete Looks Like
Because concrete is porous, mold develops from trapped moisture in those tiny nooks and crannies. The mold usually appears as black or green splotches that grow and continually change shape. You can usually smell mold from the musty and damp odor that it produces from the overflow over moisture.
The growth of mold usually occurs in shaded areas of patios, driveways, and steps that get wet but take a while to dry because they don’t get much direct sunlight. This shade may come from trees, sides of homes, and roofs of patios that block the concrete from getting sun long enough for it to thoroughly dry. These sort of damp areas give mold the chance to grow and take over the area.
Can You Pressure Wash Mold Off Concrete?
Pressure washing is actually one of the most effective ways to clean concrete and remove stubborn mold and mildew. The high pressure settings of the water application make it strong enough to remove the mold in no time.
How Professionals Pressure Wash Mold off Concrete
Preparation
Before professionals can begin the pressure washing process, it is essential to prepare the area. Removing debris and objects from the concrete surface ensures the easiest process.
Safety Precautions
Some common safety precautions that one should take while pressure washing concrete includes wearing protective gear such as gloves, safety goggles, and appropriate clothing. The intense pressure of water can create loose dirt and debris to quickly emerge from the concrete, making it a potential danger. Taking safety precautions can prevent any mishaps and injuries.
Selecting the Right Pressure Washer
Pressure washers come in many different sizes and strengths. Different settings are suggested for different surfaces. For example, you would use a higher pressure setting for concrete than you would for a roof because of the varying strengths of surfaces. For mold removal from concrete, professionals tend to use a pressure washer with a medium to high pressure setting.
Applying Detergent
For most pressure washing applications, a mild detergent is used to properly clean the surface. For mold removal on concrete, a detergent may include baking soda, vinegar, bleach, and concentrated alkaline soap. Most professional cleaners have specific cleaning solutions they use to ensure the highest quality cleaning.
The detergent is typically first applied to the concrete and sits for a few minutes to break down the mold and dirt. Some especially tough spots with denser mold may need more time for the detergent to be more effective.
Pressure Washing
After a few minutes of soaking the detergent, professionals will take the pressure sprayer and begin to wash the area. The combination of the detergent and high water pressure creates a smooth removal that often only needs one or two passes to remove the dirt and mold. Holding the nozzle around 6 to 12 inches from the surface works best for mold removal.
After a thorough power wash is completed, a final rinse with clean water is the finishing touch to a sparkling clean surface.
Contact Professionals
The process of removing mold from concrete can be strenuous and tedious, which is why hiring professionals is so appealing. They can get the job done in a short amount of time and get your concrete surface thoroughly cleaned.
Contact Pressure Doctor today for a quote.
How to Prevent Mold on Concrete
Cleaning your concrete and removing mold will instantly boost curb appeal and preserve the structural integrity of the surface.
Even if you don’t have a pressure washer nozzle, regularly washing your concrete is a way to prevent dirt and mold buildup. Consistently cleaning the concrete also helps slow the rate at which it degrades.
Another way to combat mold growth on concrete is to find ways to increase the amount of sunlight that hits the surface area. Cutting any unnecessary branches off of trees or even putting a fan out after the surface gets wet can help the problem, as well. Ultimately, pressure washing mold off concrete is the most effective way to keep the mold away.