Paintdrspainting – Paint Doctor's Painting

Dealing with Mold on Exterior Siding

Mold on exterior siding is more than just an eyesore—it’s a potential hazard to your home’s structure and your health if left unchecked. Thankfully, dealing with mold doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. With the right approach, you can restore your siding’s beauty and protect your home.

1. Why Does Mold Develop on Siding?

Mold thrives in damp, shaded areas. If your home’s siding is exposed to high humidity, frequent rain, or has poor sunlight, it becomes a prime breeding ground. Additionally, dirt and organic debris on the surface can provide a food source for mold spores.

2. Safety First: Prep and Precautions

Before tackling mold, prioritize your safety:

Protective Gear: Wear gloves, safety goggles, and a mask to avoid contact with mold spores.
Check the Weather: Choose a dry, calm day to work, as wet weather can make cleaning less effective and windy conditions could spread spores.

3. How to Remove Mold Effectively

Follow these steps to clean your siding:

Gather Materials:

A soft-bristle brush or sponge
A bucket of cleaning solution (1 part white vinegar or oxygen bleach to 4 parts water)
A garden hose with a spray nozzle
Optional: Pressure washer (use with caution)

Steps:

Rinse the Surface: Start by rinsing the siding with water to remove loose dirt and debris.
Apply the Cleaning Solution: Dip your brush or sponge into the solution and gently scrub the moldy areas. Work from top to bottom to prevent streaks.
Rinse Thoroughly: Use a garden hose to wash away the cleaning solution and loosened mold.
Spot Treatments: For stubborn patches, repeat the process or let the cleaning solution sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.
Dry the Area: Allow the siding to air dry completely.

Note: If using a pressure washer, choose a low-pressure setting to avoid damaging the siding. Test on a small area first.

4. Prevent Mold from Coming Back

Once your siding is clean, take these steps to reduce the chances of mold returning:

Trim Plants and Trees: Allow more sunlight to reach your siding by trimming back overgrown vegetation.
Clean Gutters: Ensure proper drainage and prevent water from dripping onto your siding.
Regular Maintenance: Wash your siding yearly to remove dirt, mildew, and other debris.
Seal and Paint: Apply a fresh coat of waterproof paint or siding sealant to create a barrier against moisture. Give Paint Doctor’s Painting 541-497-3804

5. When to Call a Professional

If the mold has spread extensively or you’re dealing with persistent issues, it might be time to call in a professional. Call Mike at 541-497-3804 for pressure washing and/or painting.

Conclusion

Maintaining the exterior siding of your home not only keeps it looking great but also extends its lifespan. By addressing mold promptly and taking preventive measures, you’ll save yourself time, money, and headaches in the long run. So, roll up your sleeves and show that mold who’s boss!

Sheen

You’ve finally narrowed down your paint colors, and now you must make another decision – it’s time to choose a sheen.

A non-reflective sheen that helps hide surface imperfections, making walls appear smooth. Visually this finish smooths walls that are dented or rough. However, it can be harder to clean. Best for:

Adult bedrooms
Formal Living Rooms
Ceilings
Uneven or textured walls

This flat finish is great for hiding surface imperfections, while its angular shine helps make walls smooth and washable. Use this sheen for:

Living rooms
Dining rooms
Exterior siding

With a slight shine, Satin and Eg-Shel finishes offer a richer look. Washability makes these sheens ideal for high-traffic areas most likely to attract nicks and scuff marks such as:

Hallways
Woodwork
Children’s bedrooms
Family rooms
Exterior surfaces

This moderately reflective, durable finish is perfect for areas that get cleaned frequently, such as:

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Utility area
Closet doors
Trim

Gloss sheens have higher light-reflective characteristics. This shiny, durable finish works great for any element of a room you would like to highlight such as:
Wood trim
Cabinets
Doors
Furniture

If you have questions about choosing the sheen of paint to use for interior or exterior finishes, give us a call at 541-497-3804.

Naturally

We often use the term natural wood, which is the look we’re going for but in reality these projects need lots of professional care and product application to keep them looking natural for a long time.

Just like our painted finishes, a natural wood look needs UV protection to maintain the original color and it needs a seal coat to keep water and insect penetration from damaging the looks and the structural integrity. The type of seal coat for outdoor applications is critical. You have a lot invested in your natural wood project. Call the Paint Doctor to make sure it is properly protected, 541-497-3804.

June 2024 Color of the Month: Honeydew

Soft yet energizing, Honeydew’s citrus hue easily fills any space with a fresh and frothy feel. With Fresh Zest as an accent color, you get the perfect combination for infusing a burst of vibrant liveliness without the boldness of more saturated shades. Bring them into a room with lots of natural light to meet the zestier, more expressive side of these hues.

Nook counter top featuring flowers in a vase and floating shelf. Paintdrspainting.com

Bedroom with pinks, baby blues and honeydew green. Paint Doctor's Painting Service

Colors that go with honeydew by the Paint Doctor

Barns and Other Out Buildings

All of the things we say about protecting the investment of your home applies to the protective covering for your outbuildings as well. Old, weathered barn wood might be just the thing for décor, but it’s probably not the best idea on the exterior of an actual working barn.

Barns can present unique challenges with hay lofts, hoist beams, lean-tos, breeze ways and attached fencing. We have the experience to handle these challenges . Call Mike for an estimate for your barn or outbuilding 541-497-3804.

Silver Strand

According to Sherwin-Williams, you can “wade into an elegance that ebbs and flows between the laid-back atmosphere of a coastal look and a more elevated yet approachable modern style. With Silver Strand anchoring the collection, May’s Seaside Tranquility palette weaves a harmonious backdrop of refreshing and relaxed comfort that ties it all together.”

Greet guests with a stunning shade of warm white that bathes spaces with a welcoming feel. As backdrop, Egret White’s bright shade breathes an airy expansiveness into the sun-drenched foyer and sets a tone of serene sophistication. Subtle pops of Silver Strand’s soft, breezy shade evoke the soothing qualities of lounging by the seaside. Warm wood tones coupled with the texture of accents like a jute rug and wicker baskets underscore the rustic charm. The overall uncomplicated, minimalist approach leaves the space with a clean, fresh feel that’s timeless.

Our coastal customers will appreciate the décor elements and colors that pair well with Silver Strand.

Wallflower

Here’s what Sherwin-Williams says of the Wallflower set of colors: “May’s sunset palette of mood-boosting hues feels made for a slightly eccentric style that blends retro color with a minimalist aesthetic. A Snowbound backdrop provides a blank canvas for the warm 70s-inspired hues of the palette to assert themselves as accents throughout the room. The curved comfort of softly rounded furniture and textured materials like rugs and cozy throws echo the warmth in the palette and bring some cozy balance to the clean “less is more” sensibility of this look.”

We say it’s a nice purplish pastel. Either way, let us know if you have an interior area that needs a color change. 541-497-3804

Inside Job

The Paint Dr says it’s a great time to schedule some interior paint work.

The Paint Dr crew works hard throughout the warmer months to achieve the best possible exterior paint jobs on customer homes and buildings. However, now it’s time for an Inside Job or two to keep things rolling through the winter months.

You can expect to get your best deal of the year on interior paint jobs when painting contractors are looking to keep their crews busy and the business running strong during the winter months.

So give the Paint Dr, aka Mike Nading, a call today and get that interior paint project on the calendar.