Mold growth underneath your siding that is detected early can often be removed and repaired without it causing any long-term problems. However, mold that hides for an extended amount of time can cause a range of concerns. This review discusses the dangers of mold hiding underneath your siding, what causes mold to grow on siding, and how it can be treated and prevented.
What Causes Mold to Grow Underneath Siding?
Mold typically grows in warm and damp conditions. If the inside of your siding is wet, then it can create the optimal conditions for mold growth. Mold can grow on any siding or foundation surface, including wood, brick, vinyl, etc. Mold growth underneath siding is particularly a risk if moisture is allowed to seep through the siding material, such as if there are cracks, chips, or other forms of damage to the siding. Siding may develop openings due to age, weather conditions, animals, and in various other ways. Areas around windows are often the most vulnerable to mold growth under the exterior siding as well.
The Risks of Mold Growth Underneath Your Siding
Mold underneath siding all too often goes untreated by homeowners as it does not cause an immediate aesthetic concern and it may go unnoticed. However, allowing mold to hide underneath your siding can lead to a range of problems, including a negative impact on the integrity and structure of your home, issues with the HVAC unit and air quality, and a lowered home value.
It Can Affect the Integrity and Structure of Your Home’s Siding
Mold that is not promptly treated can cause significant damage to the structure and integrity of your home. This is because the mold eats away at construction materials such as drywall, siding panels, floorboards, and more. Over enough time, the mold can damage the structure to such an extent that the wall becomes vulnerable to collapsing, creating a major safety hazard. The longer mold underneath your siding is allowed to remain eating away at your siding materials the more extensive and costly the repairs can be, so early detection and mold treatment are important.
Mold Can Infiltrate and Affect Your Home’s HVAC System
Mold often finds its way into your home’s HVAC system. This causes two main concerns. First, the mold can make it harder for air to make its way through the HVAC unit, which can affect the energy efficiency of your home and raise energy costs each month. Secondly, and more importantly, mold that infiltrates your home’s HVAC system can allow mold spores to be released throughout your home. This jeopardizes the quality of the air and can contribute to certain health problems (see below).
Mold Can Lead to Respiratory Issues and Other Discomforting Symptoms
Not only can mold damage your home’s foundation and HVAC system, but it can also cause a health concern as well. Mold that enters the air inside your home can lead to respiratory-related symptoms. These symptoms include but are not limited to:
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing and sneezing
- Chest tightness and pain
- Wheezing
Mold can also lead to other concerns as well, such difficulty sleeping at night and irritability. The symptoms are often worse among individuals who have asthma or allergies and can lead or contribute to long-term respiratory conditions.
Mold That Grows Underneath Your Siding Can Make Your Home Hard to Sell
Home inspectors know how to detect mold growth underneath your siding. This can make the closing process take longer and potentially lead to buyers backing out of the deal following a home inspection. In addition, mold can drive down the value of your home, which can affect the appraised value and how much buyers are willing to pay. For homeowners that intend to sell their home in the near future, addressing mold growth underneath siding can to a large degree pay for itself.
How You Can Help Prevent Mold Growth Underneath Your Siding
You can help prevent mold growth underneath your siding by keeping the siding well-maintained and clean, and also by ensuring there are not any openings where water can enter. You should also inspect your gutters and downspouts regularly and maintain them properly. If mold is detected, then it is important to call a siding professional as soon as possible to have the issue resolved; the worse mold gets, the harder it becomes to remove it from underneath your home’s siding.
Contact the Siding Pros at Adelphia Exteriors
Get in touch with our siding professionals at Adelphia Exteriors today if you notice any signs of mold hiding underneath your siding or are due for your next exterior inspection. Our team has experience and understands how to inspect your home for mold hiding in hard to notice areas. We can promptly treat any concerns before the issue worsens.