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Elizabeth asked: How do I clean mold off brick steps? My front steps face north. With all the rain we’ve had, the black mold is really looking bad. We need to clean the steps before the house goes on the market.
Whenever moisture sits for a period of time, it can result in mold growth. If mold has invaded the exterior of your brick home or steps, here is an easy and effective way to remove it.
You Will Need:
- Water
- Hose or bucket
- Scrub brush
- Soft cloths
- Gloves
- Weed killer or Mold and mildew stain remover (found in garden center)
Steps to Remove the Mold:
- Apply the mold and mildew remover or weed killer to the black areas on the bricks.
- Allow the remover to sit on the affected areas for several minutes.
- Wearing protective gloves, use the scrub brush to scrub the blackened areas. If no brush is available, a cloth can be used, but may not be as effective.
- Rinse with a bucket or hose. The force from the hose may help to remove more of the mildew.
- Repeat as necessary until the mildew is removed.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Bleach is also effective in removing mildew from bricks. Mix one part bleach with one part water. Apply using the methods above. Note that this method should not be used if there are surrounding plants. When rinsing, the run-off of the bleach will kill the plants. Also, test a hidden area first as some bricks may lighten in color when bleach is applied.
- If a pressure washer is available, it can be used to wash and rinse the steps in place of the bucket/hose above. The added pressure will help to dislodge the mildew and ease in the removal.
- If the area does not receive direct sunlight, it will help to clean the brick once a month during the moist seasons to keep mildew and mold growth at a minimum.
Thanks for the tips!