Mold on my metal building

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Green mold/fungus is forming on the north side of my metal shop. I am thinking of spraying it with a bleach and water mixture and rinsing it with a hose. Will that clean it off? Will the bleach have a detrimental effect on the painted metal? Is there a better way to clean it off? All opinions appreciated.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

a strong bleach application will kill the mould.
Rinsing off you need to be concerned about killing trees/grass in the area but hopefully this is manageable for you.
And yes a strong bleach solution can possibly damage steel panels. Run a test strip first.
Ammonia is a better option but again make a test strip.

A lot has to do with quality of metal, is it painted or galvanized, etc...

cleaning steel panels are recommended as:

•Use one cup of Tide (or other common detergent containing less than 0.5% phosphate) dissolved in five gallons of warm water. NOTE: Detergents containing greater than 0. 5% phosphate are not recommended for use in general cleaning of building panels.
•or use one cup of household ammonia dissolved in five gallons of water at room temperature. Never mix ammonia with any kind of bleach.
•Never blend cleaners and bleach yourself. If bleach and detergent are required, use detergents containing bleach,

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

A lot has to do with quality of metal, is it painted or galvanized, etc...

They are painted, about 4 years old

 

[the old grind]

I suggest that if the buildup is bright green vs black, it's algae & not mold. Not that different really, and I get both on the north side of everything that doesn't dry completely between rains. (trailers, decks, concrete, etc) I wouldn't expect either one to just rinse off every time.

Brush on a stick to the rescue! A fairly mild solution of Dawn or Tide will do it well with a bit of a soak & very little scrubbing. A dab of bleach will help too, but use it sparingly. Get a feel for the 'easy way' soon. You might be touching-up every other year or so. Good luck, and let us know what you come up with, ok?

 

[The kid]

Green mold/fungus is forming on the north side of my metal shop. I am thinking of spraying it with a bleach and water mixture and rinsing it with a hose. Will that clean it off? Will the bleach have a detrimental effect on the painted metal? Is there a better way to clean it off? All opinions appreciated.

Not enough sunlight to kill it. How tall is the side? Same thing happens to Vinyl and Metal siding and guttering. Mix a solution of a cup to a cup and a half Tide detergent in five gallons to about two cups of liquid bleach. Too much bleach is bad JuJu. Get you one of those battery operated sprayers at either TSC or Harbour Freight to spray it on. Don't let it completely dry. Either use a power washer or one of those domestic fireman hose nozzles and rinse off. A mild bleach solution will also remove mold off asphalt shingles.

 

[IkeRoberts]

Get some trisodium phosphate. Painters use it to clean painted chalking, mold, mildew walls. It won't harm solid paint just the loose stuff. Lowes or HD will have it.

 

[Western]

Jerry, you may want to look into "Simple Green" sold at most box stores, we have used it to remove asphalt over spray from metal buildings and it rejuvenates the tin like new. You will want to test a small area and rinse with a high pressure sprayer to remove the "crud".

Just a thought.

 

[Coyote machine]

Jomax is what pros use. It will not harm plants or shrubs. One place to get it: Rust Oleum JOMAX MILDEW CLEANER 1 GAL. - 647-60101 - 647-60101 at Wares Direct
Don't use TSP near glass, it will etch it.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Before using any detergents or bleaches, have you tried a pressure washer? It works for me.

 

[PoorPlowboy]

Jomax about every two years works great for me.