Mould and Mildew on Exterior Doors: Why They Happen and How to Get Rid of Them

June 30, 2020

Doors that are made from timber are not fully capable of handling the effects of moisture accumulation and infiltration. Once the exterior door is exposed to moisture out of heavy rains and humidity, its rotting process will gradually initiate. Rotting doors usually start with their edges chipping away and corners crumbling into pieces. Ultimately, a door that has extreme rotting conditions can be risky for the safety and security of the property.

Aside from rotting issues, moisture can also generate the accumulation of mould and mildew.

Mould and Mildew Formation

An excess of moisture on your door, which usually comes from damp, can also contribute to the formation and growth of mould and mildew. To date, there are several forms of damp that you should watch out for. One form of damp is rising damp, which is trapped moisture beneath the house that escapes into the air by rising through the walls. Another form of damp is water ingress. Water ingress is caused by a leak in the fabric of the property that allows rainwater to penetrate the surface of the door frame.

Mould and mildew formation can also be caused by condensation. Condensation happens when the level of humidity increases. As humidity increases, the air becomes filled with water. Once the air cannot hold any more water, the excess water will appear as droplets on surfaces like windows and walls. Without any adequate ventilation, activities that give off moisture to the air will eventually increase the chance of condensation happening on walls and doors.

Once damp and condensation take place on your external door, mould and mildew will eventually form and grow around your door frame and other parts of the door.

Removing Mould and Mildew

Moulds typically appear as a group of black, green, or grey spots. Inhaling them typically triggers nasal congestion, respiratory infections, and worsen allergic conditions. Mildews, on the other hand, come in a whitish coating. However, inhaling them can also cause throat irritation and other nasal issues that are similar to moulds.

To avoid health risks, you must remove them as quickly as possible. But before you remove them, make sure that you put on a protective mask and other protective gear to avoid inhaling mould and mildew as well as other cleaning agents that will be used for cleaning. 

The first step in removing mould and mildew is to pour ¼ cup bleach and 1 tablespoon of dishwashing soap into any bottle that can be sprayed before filling it up with water. In a separate spray bottle, you must fill it up with ¼ cup of vinegar and water. Next, you must turn on your hose and adjust its nozzle to the ‘mist’ setting. Spray the hose towards the exterior door and wipe it down with a long-handled brush.

Afterward, you must spray the door, especially all its corners and crevices, with your bleach-soap solution and scrub it with the long-handled brush. Once the scrubbing is done, you must rinse all the soap and bleach off the door with the strongest nozzle stream possible. The mould and mildew on your door are already killed by the bleach-soap solution.

While the mould and mildew are already killed, you must still spray your door with the vinegar solution and go over it with the long-handled brush to remove any mould and soap residue that is left on the door. When you are done with the brush, you must rinse your door with a gentle spray of water. Finally, you may now dry the door with any old towel and put a fan in front of your external door. Let it dry completely to avoid any room for moisture.

Knowing these things can help you eradicate mould and mildew formation on your exterior doors. If you want to know more about this specific issue, feel free to contact us at Shandfield Doors.

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