If you’ve noticed dark streaking, green tinting, or a dingy film on your log home’s exterior, you’re not alone — it’s one of the most common calls we get from Florida log home owners. Mold, mildew, and algae all thrive in our humidity, and log homes have plenty of textured wood surface for them to take hold on.
Why It’s So Common in Florida
Mold and mildew need moisture and organic material to grow, and algae needs moisture and a surface to cling to — Florida’s humidity, rainfall, and shaded areas around a home provide all three year-round. North- and east-facing walls, areas under overhangs, and spots that don’t get much direct sun tend to be the worst affected since they stay damp longer.
More Than a Cosmetic Problem
Mildew and algae growth on top of a healthy finish is mostly an appearance issue, but it’s worth taking seriously anyway — it holds moisture against the wood and accelerates finish breakdown. Mold, on the other hand, can be a sign that moisture has already worked its way past the finish and into the wood itself, which is a bigger problem than what you can see on the surface.
How We Address It
- Soft washing or media blasting to remove surface growth without damaging the wood or finish underneath
- Inspecting the affected areas for underlying moisture intrusion or finish failure
- Cleaning and prepping the surface properly before any restaining
- Applying a fresh finish coat to protect against the next growth cycle
Pressure washing on its own can actually damage wood and drive water deeper into checks and joints, so we’re careful about method and pressure — the goal is to clean the surface, not create a new moisture problem while we’re at it.
Preventing It Going Forward
Trimming back vegetation that shades and traps moisture against the walls, keeping gutters and downspouts directing water away from the house, and staying current on your finish all reduce how much mold, mildew, and algae have to work with.
Ready for a Clean, Protected Exterior?
Call us at (386) 688-4996 and we’ll take a look at what’s growing on your home and what it’ll take to clean it up and protect it.