KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Mildew feeds on dirt, moisture and shade.
- Painting over it does not work: kill it and clean it first.
- Cutting back plants and improving airflow help more than people expect.
On the North Shore and in any complex under big trees, moss and mildew come back every year. They hold moisture against the building, and that shortens the life of paint and wood.
Treat, then paint
Mildew under new paint simply grows through it. Surfaces need a cleaner that kills the growth, then a wash and a rinse, then time to dry before primer and paint.
Where it shows up first
- North walls and shaded fences.
- Soffits and the undersides of decks.
- Low roofs and gutters under trees.
- Behind shrubs that touch the wall.
Slowing it down
- Trim plants so they do not touch the wall.
- Clean gutters on schedule.
- Soft wash every couple of years on the worst elevations.
- Ask about mildew-resistant coatings at your next repaint.
This guide is general information for strata councils and property managers in British Columbia, not legal advice. Check your registered bylaws and the current Strata Property Act, or ask your property manager or a lawyer, before relying on it for a decision.
