Removing Mould Growth in Wooden Soffits

The wooden soffits on our homes serve multiple functions. Not only do they add to the overall structure and appearance of your home, they also protect your attic from the rain, help to regulate ventilation in your attic space and prevent birds, bats, rodents and insects entering. However, if you suspect mould growth on your wooden soffits, you should act quickly to resolve the issue to avoid jeopardising any of their roles. 

How do I get rid of the mould growth? 

We have created a 4-step guide to help you clear up any mould growing in wooden soffits. Following each one should not only help kill and eliminate any mould you have currently, but also prevent the problem reoccurring.  

1. Find and fix the water source 

Mould can’t thrive without moisture, so it’s important that you find the cause of the moisture or the water source. Usually, this is created by one of two things: a broken gutter or a leaking roof. Each of these issues cause water to build up in the soffit, aiding the mould to grow and multiply. So, before you can get rid and repair the current issue, it’s imperative that you fix the leaking roof or gutter to ensure the problem doesn’t repeat itself. Please see our blog post ‘What To Do When You Find a Leaking Gutter’ to guide you in repairing a broken gutter. 

2. Kill the mould with bleach 

Once any issues are patched up, fixed and sealed you can concentrate on killing the mould colonies. The most efficient solution to attack the mould growth is a bleach and water solution. Mix the two liquids in a spray bottle and spray the solution onto wooden soffit. Leave this to work its magic for a little while. The longer the solution is in situ, the more the bleach should attack and kill the mould. There may be some darker, more stubborn spots. Keep repeating the process on these tougher areas until they disappear. Once all the mould is gone, wash the solution away with clean water.  

3. Sand, repair or replace the damaged wood 

Allow the wood to dry completely and inspect its condition. Can you flake off the wood fibres? If so, this is a sign that the wood is damaged deeper than surface level. We advise that you replace any wood with this level of damage to ensure the structure of the soffit is safe. If the damage is just to the outside of the wood you can sand this down, leaving just the healthy wood behind. 

4. Paint and protect 

Once the wood has been repaired or replaced you’ll need to give it a coat (or two) of paint. This is not only to ensure the wood matches the rest of the house exterior, but also protects the soffit from the elements in future. Be sure to use an exterior-grade paint as interior paint doesn’t carry the same protective qualities.  

We can help to stop mould growth in your soffits, or help remove if mould is already growing- just get in touch!