This comfortable country home is the manor of Henry and Eula Sneed. Henry is a retired truck driver and worked with us everyday. The exterior was in pretty bad shape, A cheap quality, poorly applied stain was used previously and had not lived up to expectations. We removed the old stain and applied Cabot Solid oil based Exterior Stain. Looks great and should last several years. Another example of the 60, 30, 10 rule effect.
The Colors of the Week! -
" Gateway Gray -
Doors and upper trim!"
" Popular Grey -
Walls!"
"Dovetail Grey -
On the lower trim!"
by Sherwin Williams!
Cracks like these at the top edges of doors and windows can be from normal foundation settling, or poor framing, and are a normal part of the repairs we complete during any paint job.
Paint Problems and Their Solutions
* Mildew Caused by fungi feeding on nutrients in the paint film, pollen in the air and dirt on the surface. Moisture is the main factor in it's growth, so mildew tends to thrive in areas where dampness, shade or lack of air circulation is prevalent.
Treatment is to trim back any trees or bushes that need it. Inspect gutters for leaks and proper operation. Solution for removing 1 cup household detergent, 1 quart, Bleach, 1 gal. hot water, scrub till hearts content. Rinse throughly, then rinse some more. When repainted make sure to use a Mold/Mildew retardant additive to your paint.
* Toxic Black Mold Black Mold or Toxic Black Mold as it is referred to, is one of only a few molds that present a serious health threat. When they take hold and multiply inside your home they release "Mycotoxins" into your living environment. These Mycotoxins interfere with Cell and DNA function, resulting in serious health problems. Official names of these Mycotoxins include: trichothecenes, Beta Glucans, Nitric Oxides, and Aflatoxins. Black Mold is associated with Respiratory illness, Skin rashes, Memory problems, Headaches, Nosebleeds, Shortness of breath, and Rectal breathing. Diseases associated with Black mold exposure are Kidney cancer, Esophagus cancer, Leukemia, Liver cancer, and Brain damage.
Black Mold needs 3 things to survive, Food, Temperature and Moisture. Virtually any substance that is Carbon based organic material will provide food for mold. Mold likes to live in the same temp that we do. Lastly, mold likes it wet, a humidity level of about 70% is required for most molds to grow. Since people usually live in environments that have less humidity, moisture is the one factor that is the easiest to control.
Check and repair all household leaks - the main problem area for mold. Install/maintain exhaust fans in Bath and Kitchen, (keep shower stalls and curtains clean) and ensure they are the right size for the job. For small areas wear respirator clean with Bleach and water. For large areas call Brilliant Coatings. We are properly trained in the removal of Black Mold and can do so safely.
Bathrooms, Kitchens (in the wall, underneath and behind the sink), Window seals, Laundry rooms, Ceiling leaks (especially around the Chimney, or soil drains), and Basements are the prime areas for Black Mold. Water leaks are almost always the initial underlying cause. Sometimes the leak is not readily visual and the black mold may have taken hold in large hidden areas before it is visible on the interior.
Unfortunately Landlords and their rental properties are notorious for having Black Mold problems and taking no remedial action to remove it and /or fix the problem. If this happens to you call the appropriate enforcement agency to make this is taken care of.
Excessive Chalking or Powdering of the Surface
Is caused by the gradual disintegration of the resin in the paint film. Found in paints that contain too much pigment for the amount of binder, such as the old white lead carbonate/oil paints often did. Treatment is to Pressure wash and paint with a high quality paint. For excessive chalking a bonding primer may be necessary, consult a professional.
*Crazing
Fine, jagged interconnected breaks in the top layer of paint. Problem results when paint that is several layers thick becomes excessively hard and brittle with age and is no longer able to expand and contract, in response to change in temperature and humidity. Treatment is to sand using most appropriate method and re-paint.
*Cracking and Alligatoring
Cracking and Alligatoring are the advanced stages of Crazing. Once the bond between layers has been broken due to inter coat paint failure, exterior moisture is able to penetrate the surface cracks causing the wood to swell and deeper cracking to occur. Mostly from aging paint. Treatment is to remove deteriorated surface down to good paint or bare wood using the most effective method, and prime and re-paint properly.
*Blistering This condition is caused by the action of ambient heat on paint solvents or thinners in the paint. If solvent based paint is applied in direct, hot sunlight, the top surface can dry too quickly and wet paint solvents become trapped beneath the dried paint film surface. Then, when the solvent underneath, vaporizes, it forces it's way through the paint film resulting in surface blisters. Problem occurs more often when applying dark colors in the summer sun than light ones, because dark colors absorb heat.
Treatment is remove damaged area and re-coat out of sunlight or on a cooler day. To distinguish between solvent blistering and blistering caused by moisture, cut a blister open. If another layer of paint is visible, the solvent blister is is likely the problem, whereas if bare wood is revealed, moisture is to blame. Solvent blisters are generally small.
*Wrinkling Wrinkling is an application error. This sometimes happens when the top layer of paint dries before the layer underneath. The top layer actually moves as the paint underneath (1st top coat or primer) is drying. Actual cause are Applying paint too thick, applying 2nd coat before 1st one dries, inadequate brushing or rolling out, Painting in temperatures higher or lower than recommended by the manufacture. Painting an extremely hot or cold surface. Beware the painters who spray a lot and say they apply 2 coats as they go. They will get you in trouble.
*Inter coat Peeling Multiple causes - Painting over any of the following - salts from airborne pollutants, surface dirt, or a wet surface. Another common cause of inter coat peeling is incompatibility between paint types. Oil and Latex do not mix and will not properly adhere, to each other. Also, painting over hard, glossy surfaces without sanding.
Treatment is to remove the peeling topcoat by scraping, sanding, Paint remover, burning, or time. Use proper primer and re-paint.
*Peeling (to bare wood) Peeling to bare wood is most often caused by excess interior moisture or exterior moisture that collects behind the paint film, impairing adhesion, of the initial paint layer.
The first step in treatment is to remove the moisture that is the root cause. If left unattended it will cause rot in the siding, framing, and drywall. Interior moisture can be removed by exhaust fans, ceiling fans, and vents.
Exterior moisture should be eliminated by correcting the following items prior to painting: faulty flashing, leaking gutters, defective roof shingles, cracks, and holes, in any exterior surface, defective caulking in joints and seams. In addition shrubbery and trees may have to be cut back in order to allow needed sunlight and air to circulate properly. Then prep the surface and paint properly.
*Burnishing To increase shine or mark paint film from repeated touching, rubbing or scrubbing. Usually caused by having a flat paint where a sheen paint should be, for example a stairway where children place their hands on the wall. Or a flat, dark colored paint that is rubbed when transversing down a tight hallway and when you touch it, it leaves visible marks, and should be painted an Eggshell or Satin.
*Foaming & Bubbling Using old paint. Using paint that has been frozen. Currently the freeze/thaw stability studies show that most paints are ruined and unservicable once frozen. There are exceptions for some of the low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints, and studies are still being conducted at this time. Also personnel using mechanical mixers and mixing too much air into the product.
Applying a gloss or semi gloss paint over a very porous surface.
*Surfactant Leaching Sometimes known as water spotting, most Surfactant Leaching takes place in the humid or moist areas of your home such as the bathroom, or kitchen on the interior. During the spring and fall when daytime temps drop below the dew point rapidly, or when temperatures are low but the humidity remains high Surfactant Leaching takes place on the exterior. The spotting and Staining occurs when moisture condenses on the paint and draws the surfactants rapidly out of the paint, forming blotchy areas on the ceilings and streaks on siding. Leaching can be cleaned by using a sponge and fresh water, or with a mild detergent. Leaching can avoided by painting these rooms with a sheen paint, always ensuring proper exhaust, and circulation of air. Never apply paint too thick and always allow paint to dry prior to applying another coat.
This finely adorned home was a re-paint after being sold to the current owners Dr. Wayne and Janice Lerner. A mold and moisture problem that was completed in one room in the basement, repainting approx 3/4 of the interior (about 6,500' ft) and a large deck restoration, and a "step down" deck addition were the key components of this job. Thanks to Real estate agent Rick Lowery for the job recommendation.
"Beautiful Interiors!"
