Outdoor Power Washing Mold Removal

In humid and rainy weather mold can build up on outdoor surfaces such as concrete, brick and patio furniture. When backyard barbeque season rolls around you’ll want make your yard comfortable and clean, and removing the mold will take top priority. You can scrub everything with a bucket of soapy water and a scrub brush, but there is an easier way to remove the mold, a power washer.

Choosing a Power Washer

If the mold removal you need done is not a regular thing, you might decide to rent a power washer from an equipment rental store. The sales associate at the store can give advice on the proper equipment for your needs. If you need a power washer more frequently, purchasing one might be the best option. There are several types from which to choose with different nozzle strengths. Models range from an electric power washer with a psi of 1800, which works great for light cleaning around your house like spraying dirt and cobwebs off of your patio or washing your car. There are also heavy-duty models for contractors, which can strip the finish off of wood. As a homeowner, a mid-grade model is sufficient for removing mold outside.

Choosing a Nozzle

Spray nozzles for power washers are labeled by a number, which indicates the degree of the spray angle. A nozzle with a 0-degree angle indicates the most severe force of blast. A 0-degree nozzle can remove rust and tar or strip a deck, but is probably more force than is needed for mold removal. A 15 or 20-degree nozzle is most likely sufficient for mold removal. Some power washers come with more than one nozzle so you can choose the one that has the proper degree of force for your job, or you can get a power washer that comes with an adjustable nozzle. Whichever nozzle you choose, never spray it at a person or animal. Even the lowest pressured nozzle can cause injury.

Choosing a Cleaning Solution

Some surfaces only require use of water with the power washer to come clean, but mold may be more difficult to kill and a detergent can help. Detergents for your power washer can be purchased in concentrate and added, along with the amount of water specified on the detergent container, to the detergent tank of your power washer. There are different detergents depending on the surface you are going to clean, so be sure to get the one appropriate for the material from which you will be removing mold.