Dealing with Mildew or Mold Growth on Paint

Mildew is one of the most common problems experienced by home or commercial property owners. It can appear as superficial black or brown spots and can grow on painted surfaces like walls and ceilings.

In common layman’s language, the term mildew is often used to refer to mold growth. This growth can be caused by a diverse number of fungal species — simple microscopic organisms that usually grow in moist environments. In nature, molds are important because they are responsible for the decomposition of organic matter such as dead plants and animals. They are also essential in the recycling of nutrients throughout ecosystems. But it is exactly this ability to destroy organic matter which makes molds and mildew are problems for people. They can grow on products made from organic materials, including wood furniture, books, the paint on your walls, etc.

Causes of mildew or mold growth

As mentioned, molds and mildew love moisture-rich environments. As such, they usually occur in homes faced with water damage. Flooding, damaged plumbing, sewage backup, damp basements, and constant high humidity are just some of the things that can encourage mildew or mold growth.

When it comes to your walls and ceilings, the type of paint coating you choose also has an effect on the growth of molds and mildew. Alkyd or oil-based paints usually contain oils from plants such as linseed, sunflower, soybean, corn, and safflower or even pets such as fish. This makes the paint susceptible to the growth of fungi. In this regard, high-quality latex paints are better than their alkyd counterparts.

Mold remediation

To prevent the growth of mold on painted surfaces, make sure to prime any bare wood before applying the paint. Moreover, don’t just paint over any existing mildew or mold growth. Remove such growths before painting over any surface, whether it’s wood, substrate material, or a previously painted surface. If you want to make sure that a paint job will be done properly painting contractors san antonio can help you out. Our Houston painters are known for their top quality workmanship and will make certain there will be little chance for mold to set in.

One way to easily get rid of mold is to use bleach. Just mix one part bleach to three parts water, and scrub the mold off the painted surface with a brush or a scouring pad. Remember to test over a small spot first because bleach can fade the paint’s color. If the mold growth has spread over an area that is too large to manage, it’s probably best to get help from a professional mold remediation service provider because mold growth can become a serious health hazard.

If your house has experienced water damage, be sure to have the source of moisture or humidity repaired. It will also help if you install exhaust fans in locations where there are elevated moisture levels. For more information about painting contractors san antonio visit our website at http://www.southernpainting.com/.

image from: http://www.homemadehints.com/how-to-remove-mold-mildew/

How to Keep Your Deck Looking New

Decks are great for everything from barbecue events to romantic dinner dates, and they’re also a cozy place to hang out on when you just want to enjoy a relaxing afternoon alone or a quiet evening with friends and family.

However, because decks are continuously exposed to the elements and receive a lot of foot traffic, they get damaged and deteriorate quickly. It’s a good thing that at the very outset, deck builders working on new projects work hand-in-hand with Fort Worth painting contractors to determine the best way to preserve the good condition of the decks being built. Properly staining a newly built deck or restoring a weathered one ensures that the property owner will be able to enjoy the structure for a long time.

Aside from hiring professionals to re-stain your deck, there are other things you can do to protect it and keep it looking new for many months.

Regularly sweep dirt and litter.  This is probably a no-brainer tip, but following this simple rule is essential to keeping your deck spotless. Letting dirt and debris accumulate on your deck does not only make it dirty, this can also tarnish the wood. In particular, fallen leaves and branches may contain tannins, which can discolor the wood. Organic matters like these can also promote the growth of mold.

Use pot saucers.  If you have potted plants on your deck, make sure to use pot saucers to prevent dirt and moisture from collecting underneath the pots.

Use grill mats.  If you grill food on your deck, make sure to use grill mats to protect your deck from grease splashes, which can seriously stain unprotected wooden surfaces. Look for grill mats with raised or protruding patterns which will keep liquids and grease between the grooves so your shoes can stay clean as you move around the grill.

Get rid of snow.  Here in Texas, we don’t have to concern ourselves about snow. However, if you own another property in a place where it snows, then this tip is worth remembering. Note that you can easily sweep away light snow cover with a broom. If the snow cover is quite deep, you can shovel off the snow, but make sure to use a shovel with a plastic blade because metal ones can easily gouge the surface of your deck. Nevertheless, use the shovel gently.

Don’t forget about your deck furniture.  Your deck furniture will dry faster after a rainfall if they are tilted on the side to let the water runoff. If you can, take the furniture from your deck and let them dry elsewhere. Also keep your deck umbrellas closed and put furniture cushions in storage when not in use.

Observe proper maintenance.  Decks need professional cleaning and treatment once every couple of years. Trusted Fort Worth painting contractors like Southern Painting can professionally power wash, sand, condition, and stain wooden decks to bring them back to tip-top condition.

Observing these simple tips can contribute a great deal to the preservation of your deck. These outdoor structures can be costly, but the enjoyment they bring is truly priceless.   Following these steps can help extend the life of your deck.

image from: http://time.com/money/3422501/financial-advisers-investment-returns-disclosure/

Caring for Your Wrought Iron Fence

Wrought iron is a popular material for top-quality ornamental fencing, especially among upscale property owners. It is essentially iron that is heated to become malleable enough to allow an ironsmith to form the metal into beautiful shapes, twists, and curves before it cools off. Although installing such a fence can be expensive and labor intensive, wrought iron fencing is often chosen for its elegance and decorative appeal.

Another advantage of opting for wrought iron fencing is its durability. The sturdiness makes it very difficult for potential intruders to tear it down. When built high enough and with sharp cap posts on top, wrought iron fences are also difficult to climb.

Finally, many people love wrought iron fencing due to its long-lasting service life and easy maintenance. Nevertheless, in order to preserve the beauty and strength of wrought iron, it must be protected and painted properly. If you are looking for a painting contractor who can work on your wrought iron fencing, look no further. You can trust Southern Painting to do the job excellently as we are home to some of the leading painters in Fort Worth.

Proper paint application is one of the first steps in caring for your wrought iron fence. In this article, we will discuss some of the things you can follow in order to make your wrought iron fence last for long time.

Protective prepping.   Before painting your wrought iron fence, professional painting contractors like Southern Painting will prepare the surface by pressure washing, wire brushing, or sanding it to remove rust, grime, and other debris. These procedures also allow the top coat of paint to adhere better to the iron. Additionally, rust mitigation measures will also be employed. Depending on the severity of the oxidation on the iron, a certain amount of rust-inhibiting primers and rust converters will be used.

Painting.  Paint will then be applied to the iron using a brush, mini-roller, or “paint glove” technique. Normally, semi-gloss or gloss acrylic enamels are used for wrought iron fences.

Regular cleaning and inspection.  After your fence has been painted, it is now ready to serve its purpose. However, it will still need cleaning from time to time. Use some warm water and mild detergent to clean your fence on a regular basis. This will not only keep your fence looking shiny and new, it will also allow you to spot signs of rusting and other forms of damage right away.

Rust mitigation.  As soon as you see signs of oxidation, repair them immediately. Sand off the rust spots with sandpaper, and clean the affected area with a commercially available rust cleaning solution. Rinse off the debris, and apply a rust-inhibiting primer before repainting the area.

Protective wax application.  You may also coat your wrought iron fence regularly with automotive wax. This adds an additional protective layer against rain and rusting, and it also enhances the look of your wrought iron fence by adding sheen to it. For more information about painters in Fort Worth visit our website.

Choosing the Right Paint for Your Room

Choosing the right paint for your room can become quite a challenge for those who aren’t into home improvement. There are many other things, apart from the color, you need to consider before you start tearing down your wallpaper and get ready to put fresh paint on your walls.

The first thing you’ll want to think about is the type of paint you want to use.  A majority of residential paint jobs make use of latex (water-based) paint.  This is because it dries rather quickly on most surfaces.  The only problem with this is that it ends up leaving some rough brushstrokes if the paint job wasn’t done evenly.   A quick solution is to make use of a conditioner or extender in the paint base to let it dry more slowly and to avoid any unsightly brushstrokes.

On the other hand, oil-based paint does a better job of withstanding a lot of wear and tear.  If you expect the area you’ll be painting will receive a fair amount of wear and tear, you might want to consider sticking to oil-based paint.  On the plus side, paint jobs come out more evenly because of its slow drying properties.

Next, you’ll want to consider the type of sheen for the paint job.  Sheen (also known as gloss) refers to the amount of light that reflects off the paint.  You will need to choose between high-gloss paints that reflect a lot of light, and matte paints that do the opposite.  If you want something to stand out, then look for paints labeled as high-gloss.  For something more subdued, then you could always go for the matte type paints.

Once you’ve decided on the type of paint you want to use, it might also be a good idea to get a good high-quality bristle brush for the job. Some people are tempted to save on costs by buying a cheaper foam brush, but they don’t realize that doing so can compromise the overall paint job. Foam brushes have less penetration than a bristle brush and tend to create more air bubbles while painting.

Finally, consider applying a protective sealer or topcoat to the paint if necessary.  Most paints already contain protectants which give it added durability.  However, if you plan on making the paint last longer, especially from the ravages of weather and the like, then it might be a good idea to add an additional layer of protection.

If you ever need professional help with painting your room, Southern Painting is more than willing to help you out.  As painting contractors austin that services homes and offices, we will be glad to assist you with any painting job.

Preventing Nail Head Rust Spots

Nail head rusting can ruin an otherwise pristine painted surface. The rust spots appear as red, brown, or orange stains on the paint surface — blemishes which can simply cover with another layer of paint because there is a tendency for them to reappear if they are not dealt with correctly.

The cause of nail head rusting is essentially the electrochemical oxidation of the metals that make up the nails. When rust sets in, it can bleed all the way through the paint layer’s surface.

This corrosion usually occurs in nails that have not been galvanized, which is the process of treating metals with a coating of zinc to prevent them from rusting. However, corrosion can also occur in galvanized nails that have gone through excessive sanding or whose protective zinc layer has simply weathered away.

Another usual cause of nail head rust spots is failure to countersink the nails. When the nails are placed in such a way that they don’t sit below the surface of the material they were driven into, the rusting can become very visible later on.

Aside from using only galvanized nails, countersinking is actually the best way to prevent rust spots from appearing. Moreover, countersunk nails should also be covered with caulk and then spot primed before being painted over with high-quality latex paint. This multi-layered approach is an effective way to the development of rust spots.

If you’re embarking on a new construction project and you want to prevent issues like nail head rust spots, make sure to get the services of licensed painting contractors like Southern Painting. Our San Antonio painters are some of the most trusted painting professionals in the state of Texas — experts who can help you with any kind of paint job you might require. For more information visit http://southernpainting.com/san-antonio.