Mold and Mildew – A Boat’s Silent Killer
To us, boating is the most rewarding and enjoyable experience life has to offer. The only downside is the never ending maintenance and repairs. There is nothing worse than taking the cover off your boat and finding your upholstery covered in mold or your cabin smelling musty. We’ve spent years cleaning mold and mildew from boats, and We’ve learned a few simple tricks that work extremely well.
The key to controlling mold and mildew on your boat is to prevent water from accumulating within enclosed spaces. Proven methods to remove moisture include using exhaust fans, heaters, dehumidifiers, and silica gel. Fresh air and sunshine are two very effective ways to kill mold and mildew. Anti-mold sprays and household chlorine also work very well.
Just like any other asset, you want to make sure your boat is properly maintained so you can continue to enjoy it for years to come. Boats must be cared for differently than your car or home. If you forget to wipe your boat down or store it in a damp area, you may get an awful surprise when you arrive at the dock for a day on the water. Besides the foul odor and unattractive look, mold and mildew can cause allergic reactions and even serious illness. Not mention, they can damage your boat’s upholstery and painted surfaces. Fortunately, there are some effective ways to deal with mold and mildew that don’t cost a fortune or take a lot of time to do.
How can mold and mildew get inside my boat?
Mold and mildew both thrive on moist, damp, and poorly insulated areas. When your boat is stored for the winter or whichever season you won’t be using it, there are many ways that mold and mildew can start to appear. If you don’t perform routine inspections on your boat while it is stored, you are allowing a problem to be there and you won’t even know about it.
We have found that leaks can happen if you don’t have a canvas cover with a proper ventilation system. A good quality canvas boat cover that allows fresh air to get in, without rain water seeping through, will save you headaches and money in the long run.
There can even be some cracks or leakage around windows that you didn’t have previous knowledge of and that can lead to water getting in and causing not only the water dam