Causes:
Mildew forms on areas that are damp and receive little or
no direct sunlight. Walls with a northerly exposure and
the underside of eaves are particularly vulnerable to
mildew. Other causes of mildew include use of a lower
quality paint, which may have an insufficient amount of
mildewcide; failure to prime bare wood before painting;
and painting over a substrate or coating on which mildew
has not been removed.
Solution:
Test for mildew by applying a few drops of household
bleach to the discoloured area: mildew will disappear.
Remove all mildew from the surface by scrubbing with a
diluted household bleach solution (1 part bleach, 3 parts
water); wear rubber gloves and eye protection.
Power washing is also an option; however, the bleach
solution must still be used.
Rinse thoroughly, prime any bare wood, then apply one or
two coats of top quality exterior paint, which typically
contains more mildewcide. |
