LESLIE: Bob in Michigan needs some help with a siding issue. What can we do for you?
BOB: Well, I’ve got white aluminum siding. It’s old aluminum siding. Most of it looks pretty good but on the north side, opposite the kitchen and the bathroom – I’m sure that’s where the moisture is coming from – I have mildew along that outside wall.
TOM: Mm-hmm. Yeah.
BOB: It has to be washed off; it looks terrible. And once I wash it off, can I leave it like that or does it need to be coated or painted or …?
TOM: No. What kind of siding do you have?
BOB: It’s painted aluminum.
TOM: It’s painted aluminum. Alright. Well, you’ve got to be very careful about cleaning this up because you may end up taking off some of the paint in the process. But my suggestion would be for you to use a siding cleaner. JOMAX, for example – J-O-M-A-X – is a good start.
And basically, it’s a product that you mix with bleach and it activates and basically sits on there for a few minutes. It’ll kill the mildew and the moss and then you rinse it off. But you can’t be too aggressive; if you use a pressure-washer, it’s got to be on a very light setting. But it’s a two-step process.
And then after you’re done, you can decide whether you’re happy with the finish or not. I will tell you that you can paint it again, obviously. But there’s nothing you should be putting on there that protects it. If you do cut back on some of the overhanging trees – try to get more sunlight on those two walls – that will have a natural effect on cutting back on the amount (Bob chuckles) of mildew that grows there.
BOB: I’m doing that right now, so I understand that part. (chuckles)
TOM: Alright. Well, you’ll find that it won’t come back nearly as quickly.
BOB: Good, good. Well, thanks.
TOM: You’re very welcome. Thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.
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