Preventing Mold On A Bamboo Fence

Find out what steps to take in order to prevent mold on a bamboo fence, as well as how to get rid of mold on bamboo fencing.

A bamboo fence makes an attractive addition to the exterior of a home. But it does require special care to keep it strong and looking its best. There are several common problems that bamboo is susceptible to. One of the biggest problems is mold. Fortunately mold can be prevented, if you take the right steps.

Mold is a kind of fungal spore that spreads easily. When your fence is contaminated with mold, you’ll notice several things. There may be areas of gray, black, brown, or white discoloration. The affected areas may appear pasty or powdery and may have a musty odor.

There are two natural things that mold does not like; sunlight and air movement. You can use these things to your advantage to prevent the occurrence of mold.

To prevent mold from appearing in the first place, keep the area around the fence clear of weeds, grass clippings and other organic debris that hold moisture. Mold will not occur in bright dry areas but it thrives in dark, damp places.

You’ll find that areas of your bamboo fence that receive a lot of sunlight will not have a mold problem. The sun’s ultraviolet rays kill mold spores. So if you have objects that are shading parts of your fence, such as woodpiles, garbage cans, or yard tools, if possible, move these away from the fence to allow the sunlight in.

It’s more difficult when you have shrubs planted in front of a fence. If you don’t want to move them, at least keep them trimmed so there is lots of air movement around the fence.

Another problem is trees shading fencing. For densely leaved trees, try to prune enough to allow good air circulation near your fence. If there are branches draped over the fence, you may want to cut off these overhanging branches. 

The other important thing to do to prevent mold on bamboo is to keep your bamboo fencing clean. When plants are watered, dirt can splatter up on the fence. Over a period of time, this can result in a build-up in some areas, especially on the lower parts of fencing.

When dirt builds up, it retains moisture which is the perfect breeding ground for mold spores. You can use a power washer, or just take a scrub brush to smaller areas to keep them clean.

But what can you do if you spot areas that are already affected by mold? Well, there are things you can do to rid your bamboo fence of mold if it’s gotten to that point.

You can’t afford to waste time with bamboo when it comes to mold. That’s because bamboo will deteriorate more rapidly than a wooden fence as bamboo is a type of grass, rather than a type of wood.

You should immediately take steps to remove the mold from any affected areas, so it doesn’t continue to spread. Here’s how.

There is going to be a two step process involved. First you’ll get rid of the mold and then you’ll do a couple of other things to prevent a re-occurrence.

How to Get Rid Of Mold

• Getting rid of mold involves cleaning. You can purchase a ready made cleaner from a home improvement supplier or make your own cleaner. To make your own, mix water, household bleach and ammonia-free dish washing detergent together.

• Put into a sprayer (or a small spray bottle for small areas), and then spray the entire affected area thoroughly. You may want to spray your entire fence while you’re at it.

• If you have a power sprayer, you won’t need to do this step. But if you don’t, take a scrub brush and scrub the area to loosen dirt and allow the cleaner to penetrate and kill off the mold. 

• Wait about fifteen minutes and then rinse with your hose. Or clean thoroughly using your power washer.

• Once you have finished, allow the area to dry then give it a close inspection to be sure you have removed all traces of mold and dirt.

• For stubborn areas, you may have to use a power tool such as a grinder with a wire brush attachment to remove ant remaining mold growth.

Prevent A Re-Occurrence

• Be sure the area is clean and dry. Then apply a generous amount of fungicidal sealant to your fence.

• Inspect your fence regularly for signs of mold. Spot treat with the bleach solution as needed. Then re-apply sealant.

• Keep your fence clean and free of debris. Washing your bamboo fence from time to time will help greatly.   

You may also be interested in the article "Preserving A Split Bamboo Fence".

A big part of keeping your bamboo fence looking its best and staying in the best possible condition is giving it the right care.  Preventing mold is an important part of this care.