How do you treat shed mold & mildew?
Shed mold and mildew can be treated by prevention first. The right ventilation and controlling humidity is the first step. Once it is present then it can be treated by using the proper products depending on your level of damage. Read more to find the best answers.
Shed Mold & Mildew - Introduction
So you built the perfect shed and now it has been taken over by shed mold & mildew. This is a real possibility as shed mold happens all the time and can ruin your shed. There are also many health ramifications with mold and mildew. You can read my shed ventilation article here that touches upon the health risks. You can take certain steps to prevent the mold. Some of these steps are done in the building process, so make sure you understand what can be done. Once you have the mold you will need to find out how to get rid of it and prevent it from coming back.
Shed Mold & Mildew - Building Process Prevention
Apply caulk to outside of shed. That’s right, caulk the outside seams around windows, doors, trim and vents. Don’t caulk the interior as it is not a good enough seal and can still be penetrated by water. This will prevent any water from entering the shed and causing mold. Choose a good caulk and the one we like is by Big Stretch with good reviews on Amazon.
Install vents in your shed. You can install ridge, gable or soffit vents which allows better air flow. The video below shows installation of a soffit vent in a home but it will be similar for a shed. This air flow will prevent stagnation and decrease humidity. It is increased humidity that allows the mold to grow. So proper air ventilation is a must. If the soffit vents are not enough, then evaluate all your options. There are many additional options with powered vents and fans. There are skylights that vent the shed and also allow light into your shed. You can check out my in depth article on shed ventilation here.
Shed Mold & Mildew - How Do I Get Rid Of This Stuff?
There are many home recipes on the internet to get rid of mold. However, bleach always come to mind with getting rid of mold. You can dilute 1/2 -1 cup of bleach for every gallon of water. How much bleach really depends on your mold growth (and your tolerance). You will need to scrub the area with the solution and make sure to rinse it good and let it dry. If you do this take safety precautions with ventilation as bleach can be harsh. You can get the proper air mask and gloves here and they work great for just about all products.
For outside mold, I have personally used wet&forget and can say that it works amazingly well. All you do is dilute it and spray it on the outside area and then the natural rain will wash it away with the mold. It does take a little time to get results and you may need to re-apply it until the mold is completely gone. However, it works and saves you the scrubbing. Check out more options on Amazon to find the right product.
Shed Mold & Mildew - Now It's Good, How Do I Prevent It?
Dehumidifier. A good dehumidifier will be a must if you have a shed that is constantly under attack with humidity and subsequently mold. HomeLabs has the top rated one on Amazon. I think it works really well and is well worth the money for prevention of mold. However, there are other options below.
Exhaust fans. These help with air circulation. Putting it in while building the shed is perfect, but if you did not do that, then there are other options. The easiest option is a window fan. Just place it in the window and turn it to exhaust. It will get air moving and help keep it dry. Holmes makes a great exhaust fan that has a thermostat and fits nicely in the window. It is a great addition to any shed for ventilation.
Moisture absorbents. There are many options on the market when it comes to moisture absorbents. Basically there are canisters of absorbents you put out in the shed and they draw in the moisture. Damp Rid is one that many people use and it does a good job. However, you can also use kitty litter as that has worked for some.
Shed Mold & Mildew - Conclusion
Be cautious of mold whether you are in the process of planning for a shed or you already have a shed built. If you are in the planning stages, then make sure you build the proper prevention in your shed from the beginning. It is better to prevent mold from showing up as opposed to treating it after the fact. However, if you have mold, then clean it up. Make sure you use a product that not only cleans it but kills the spores. Do all you can to prevent the mold so you can enjoy your shed for years to come.
Hope this helps,
JB
