Mould can grow on a wide range of surfaces, including showers, wet areas, tiles, bricks, stone, and painted surfaces.
Issues with mould on timber generally arise after the timber has been delivered to the site, where it has absorbed moisture from environmental factors.
Due to its open-cell structure, timber presents diverse challenges in combating mould. To mitigate this issue, it is advisable to pre-oil all four sides and ends of external timber products before installation, thereby effectively sealing and safeguarding the fibres against moisture.
Mould is often evident on decks built too close to the ground, where there is a lack of ventilation and an uncoated backside allowing moisture in. The use of film-forming coatings that are coated on the top side only, trapping moisture underneath the film, is also a common issue. Mould tends to be more common on east- and south-facing building aspects, which receive less UV exposure compared to north- and west-facing aspects.
With proper installation and maintenance, mould can be avoided or significantly reduced.
The correct method:
Ongoing regular coating maintenance is key!
In summary, always remember that mould is an environmental issue, and if the coating is performing and protecting the timber fibre, moisture won’t be able to enter the fibre.
