Mold is a frequent problem experienced by homeowners. Not only does it seem to develop out of nowhere, but it also often causes more damage than you realize at the time. Fortunately, by understanding what form of mold you have, it is possible to get rid of it and keep it from coming back for good. These are some of the most common types of mold in homes and how to identify them on your own property.

The Importance of Eliminating Household Mold

Mold is a form of fungus that reproduces in colored spores that travel through the air. Upon latching on to a surface, they begin to thrive and grow into visible spots along a home’s walls, floors, and ceilings. Since these spores can fully permeate the air when present in large quantities, mold is considered a health hazard and individuals are discouraged from living near it. This substance has been linked to a series of health issues including respiratory diseases, skin irritation, and even cancer in more severe cases. For these reasons, identifying the kind of mold you have and getting rid of it is the key to a healthy and happy home.

The Different Types of Mold

There are several different subset species of mold. However, only a few regularly occur in the home and are considered a threat. For this purpose, we’re going to only cover the most damaging varieties and what you should look out for when trying to identify them. These are the most common types of mold in homes and each of their characteristics.

Aspergillus

Aspergillus is a form of mold that can grow in thick layers along walls and ceilings. It spreads very quickly and can contribute to severe allergy-like symptoms when present. Since there are over a hundred different species of this mold, it can also appear in an array of colors—such as white and tan or brown and yellow. This can make it more difficult to identify than some other types. Additionally, aspergillus doesn’t need as much moisture to thrive, and is most often found along inner walls.

Alternaria

Alternaria is also an allergenic type of mold that triggers health-related symptoms like headaches or respiratory infections. However, unlike aspergillus, this species needs moisture to reproduce—meaning that it’s dominantly found in places that don’t dry well, like under the sink or near the edge of the bathtub. It’s dark green or brown in appearance with a velvety texture. On the plus side, Alternaria doesn’t spread very far past the source of water. Though you should still act fast when you notice it to prevent developing an asthma-like condition.

Cladosporium

Another type of mold to be aware of is Cladosporium. This species often takes up residence in fabrics or in darker, mustier areas of your home. It can cause you to develop allergy-like symptoms as well—especially when present in your favorite comfy seat. Cladosporium can also be found in damp floorboards, which they weaken similarly to wood rot. This fungus is an olive green or dark brown color and possesses a suede-like texture. Make sure you avoid handling this mold directly to prevent skin irritation.

Stachybotrys

Also known as black mold, stachybotrys is a toxic form of mold that is infamous for being dangerous to breathe. The symptoms associated with this species go beyond what’s commonly associated with allergies—including things like itching or burning of the respiratory system, and even rashes in some cases. Like their nickname alludes to, stachybotrys is black in color and has a fuzzier appearance. This mold also requires consistent and frequent water exposure to grow. So, make sure you’re checking around your shower tub and sinks.

Tips for Treating and Preventing Mold Growth

Mold isn’t something you want to let grow unhindered. This is why we’ve also compiled a short list of tips to help you get rid of it and keep it gone for good. These are a few things you should keep in mind.

Get the Afflicted Area Removed

When mold has been allowed to grow for a certain period of time, it becomes difficult to remove without taking some of your home along with it. Eventually, these substances can seep into the cracks of your home’s wooden frame and cause some serious structural damage. So, should this happen to you, it’s important that you’re prepared to hire a professional to remove the molded area and replace it with new materials. This will ensure that the area is fully clean and stop any remaining mold nearby to spread further.

Keep Your Home Dry

Next, try to keep your home as dry as possible. Most species of mold thrive in environments that have a continuous supply of moisture. Because of this, you want to do what you can to limit the amount of resting water in certain areas of your home. This is particularly crucial in the bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Even something as minor as a leaky pipe can spur mold growth. As such, taking the time to perform routine inspections now can make all the difference later on.

Clean Damp Surfaces Regularly

You’ll also want to get into the habit of cleaning mold hot zones. These spores can only take root and grow if you allow them the time and resources to. For this reason, keeping these areas clean and dry is a great way to prevent your problem from returning. Make sure you wipe down and disinfect your shower at least once a week. This will remove any spores from its surface and stop them before they can reproduce. You should also clean your kitchen regularly for the same purpose.

At Bear Mountain Custom Painting, we understand how serious of an issue mold can be in a person’s home. In fact, we’ve seen many of our clients suffer structural damage as a result of mold spores and eventual wood rot. This is why our team of experienced carpenters in Cumming, GA seeks to help you fix these broken-down areas and bring back the home you first fell in love with. From rotten wood replacement to window repair in Cumming, we can help remove weakened material and improve the health of your environment. Don’t be afraid to give us a call for more information about our services.

Snow is one of the most damaging forms of precipitation for a home. In fact, its weight alone can crush surfaces that don’t have the proper reinforcement. Regardless of whether your area gets a lot of winter storms, it’s still vital that you’re ready for when one hits. Home gutters are especially susceptible to snow damage—even going so far as to crack your roof in more severe cases. Here is how to protect your gutters from snow and ensure they’re fully functional no matter the climate.

Keep Them Clean and Clear of Debris

First and foremost, keep your gutters clean and clear of any debris they’ve collected over the past few months. From twigs and leaves to dirt and grime, your gutters compile a lot of different things that can potentially clog their piping. Adding snow to this can cause gutters to freeze and burst, resulting in more damage than many homeowners can fix themselves. So make sure you stay on top of this task if you know a storm is approaching.

Use Gutter Guard Accessories

You can also protect your gutters from snow by equipping them with additional accessories. Gutter guards cover most of the top opening of a gutter system. A small gap in the cover allows water to drain properly, while the rest of the guard prevents debris from entering and clogging up the pipes. They’re a very popular choice when trying to keep ice or snow from collecting in your gutter drainage.

Install Gutter Reinforcements

It’s best to install gutter reinforcements as well. When snow starts to soften, it will often slide into your gutters, where it will collect and refreeze. This creates what’s known as ice dams, and they can be extremely heavy—even enough to pull your gutters away from your roof. Fortunately, proper reinforcement materials can mitigate the effect this weight has on your gutters and keep them in better condition overall.

While Georgia isn’t a state known for frequent snowstorms, you never know what the forecast could throw your way during the winter months. At Bear Mountain Custom Painting, we set out to ensure that every home in the Atlanta area is safe from this environmental hazard. As experienced home gutter installation contractors in Cumming, GA, we’ve helped clients replace their old home gutter systems and educate them on how to preserve their gutters’ lifespan. Let us do the same for you.

The winter chill may have limited our time outdoors, but it doesn’t have to stop us from getting things done. In fact, this season is often one of the best to pursue projects that focus on maintaining and repairing our homes’ interior. These are a few great indoor improvement projects for the winter to keep you busy and productive.

Paint Your Walls

It doesn’t need to be warm outside for you to try out a new color scheme. Painting is actually one of the best ways to completely transform an interior space regardless of the weather. Rain, shine, or snow, you can paint one wall or your entire house to make an incredible impact. Just be sure that you’re using the right paint for your needs.

Install Crown Molding

Winter is also an excellent time to install crown molding. These pieces of beautifully-carved wood can add the perfect accents to a room’s architecture—making it appear more sophisticated or traditional. Crown molding is incredibly affordable and easy to install, so you’re sure to find something that suits your design tastes, time, and budget.

Reseal Your Windows

Another great indoor improvement project for the winter is to spend some time inspecting and resealing your windows. Window drafts are one of the primary ways a home loses precious heat in the winter—costing us hundreds in the process. As such, you can use this time to ensure you’re getting the most out of your energy consumption. Depending on the state of your windows, this could mean simply resealing with a bit of caulk or replacing your windows entirely.

Replace Damaged Drywall

Use this season to finish some outstanding work with your interior drywall. This is especially important if your walls have recently sustained damage or you’ve installed new insulation. If you redo these sections of your home now, your home will be looking its best come springtime.

If you have a list of projects that you want to tackle this winter season, you’ll need to find qualified and experienced professional help to do so. At Bear Mountain Custom Painting, we specialize in various home painting and remodeling tasks. Whether it be repainting a bedroom or replacing your windows, we’re confident that we can create the results you need. For more information about our services, give us a call.

When you plan on doing any type of structural work on your home, a carpenter is often the first professional you’ll think to call. Even so, very few homeowners understand the full scope of tasks these workers perform and what other ways you could potentially use their services. These are the responsibilities of a home carpenter and the details surrounding their work.

Following Official Blueprints and Building Plans

A professional carpenter’s primary role is to ensure that contractors follow the home specifications strictly during construction. In this way, they ensure that all the client’s needs are met and that the results are of the highest possible quality. They’ll often assist in erecting the main framework, as well, and perform duties surrounding that.

Installing Major Structures and Fixtures

Carpenters are also responsible for installing any major sections or fixtures along a home’s framework, including supporting beams or even smaller details like the crown molding. Regardless of what a build could require them to do, they remain involved in the process from start to finish.

Calculating the Amount of Material the Project Needs

Another core responsibility of a home carpenter is to assess the amount of work taking place, take measurements, and determine how much material will be necessary to finish the project. Since these individuals are experts in constructing various aspects of a home, they’re familiar with everything they could need for these projects. As such, they can accurately calculate their necessary resources.

Performing Repairs on Old or Damaged Structures

Many homeowners also hire carpenters to conduct repairs on any damages or rotten portions of the home. These projects mostly consist of removing the sections of wood in question and replacing them with fresher materials. They may also call in carpenters to perform inspections and determine whether certain wood pieces have become unstable.

At Bear Mountain Custom Painting, we pride ourselves on employing some of the best professional carpenters in the state of Georgia. Our Cumming carpentry repair and installation services are top-notch, and we guarantee we’ll work hard to get you the results you want. Whether you’re looking to install new windows or replace sections of wood that have rotted out, we’ve got you covered.

A home’s exterior siding is vital to preserving its security, as well as protecting it from the potentially harmful outdoor elements. In fact, without it, your home is susceptible to a multitude of damages that would require costly renovations to repair. So, as a homeowner thinking about replacing your siding, the last thing you want is to hire just anyone to take on the task of installing it. Use these tips for hiring a siding installation professional to ensure you find the right company and services for your needs.

Why Hire Professionals for Siding Installations?

Before you can officially start your search for a quality siding installation company, it’s important that you know why you should be taking this process so seriously. As previously stated, exterior home siding is the sole method of protecting a home from weather conditions and other outdoor hazards. Because of this, it takes a quality installation job to guarantee the necessary seal and damage prevention measures. Even the handiest of DIYers can’t accomplish this level of precision without specialized training. Therefore, hiring an experienced professional is simply the best way to get the most out of this process.

Important Traits To Consider

But what exactly makes certain installation companies better quality than others? On the surface, many of them appear to offer similar services and showcase equivalent results. As such, it can be incredibly difficult for you to narrow down your options and find the one candidate for your project. Fortunately, all top-notch siding contractors have a few things in common, and knowing these traits can be of great during your research. These are some of the key characteristics of a reputable siding installation business to keep in mind.

Knowledge and Experience

First and foremost, quality siding contractors exhibit advanced knowledge of the process and have years of experience in their craft. They receive extensive education in the different installation methods and obtain a specialized certification to prove as such. It’s this background training that makes them the best resources for you to choose as you determine which type of siding you want and even what colors would benefit your home.

Licensed and Insured

Professionals worth your time will also be able to show that they are both licensed to take on contracting jobs in your state and are insured by the government. These pieces of legal documentation help determine whether certain companies offer quality services and whether they practice the necessary safety measures. Proper warranties and insurance availability will also protect you should an accident occur during the project.

Past Work Portfolio

You’ll want to look for a past work portfolio as well for the companies you’re interested in. While anyone can say that they produce quality results, it’s another thing to be able to show it. These portfolios display original pictures of work done on their client’s homes, thus giving you an idea on yours. Not only is this great for identifying their quality, but it also helps you determine whether they can reproduce the vision you have in mind.

Client Reviews and Ratings

In addition to a visual portfolio of their work, it might be useful to look up some of a company’s past client reviews. These comments are a wonderful way to find out whether other homeowners were satisfied with the level of service they received. You can even find these ratings through third-party sites to ensure you’re getting an unbiased viewpoint. You may find a mix of negative and positive reviews, but a quality service will have a great number of positive opinions about them.

Overall Cost

Then, of course, you’ll want to consider certain company price ranges and whether or not you can reasonably afford their services. Some companies will have a more luxury clientele than others, and, because of this, their average prices are higher. If this is the case, don’t feel like you need to settle. There are plenty of experienced professionals to pursue within your own budget.

Additional Tips for Finding a Siding Contractor

Even with these important traits in mind though, there are still a few hurdles to face in terms of gathering the information you need to make decisions. These are some additional tips for hiring a siding installation professional to help you find some of the best businesses near you.

Know What You Want Ahead of Time

One of the most vital things you can do for the process is to know exactly what kind of job you want performed before you officially hire someone. This can significantly narrow down your list of contenders and make it much easier to compare them. Having a concrete vision for the results will also give you something to refer to when asking more pointed questions about a business’s past work.

Get Referrals From Friends and Neighbors

If you’re still struggling to find potential siding businesses, start asking some of your friends or neighbors about who they hired. Like with reading online reviews, this is one of the best ways to gather accurate information about whether a company’s services are satisfactory. It also allows you to see the results of their work up-close and in-person.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions

But, most importantly, don’t be afraid to reach out to the company itself to ask questions about their services. Siding installation is a crucial part of maintaining a safe and secure home; as such, you’re entitled to upfront and honest information about the process and what each specific company can do for you. Whether it be about price, siding options, or the estimated project deadline—knowing each detail will help make you feel more secure in your choices.

If you’re looking for a team of qualified professionals to install your home’s new siding, Bear Mountain Custom Painting just might be the business you’re looking for. Our staff of siding contractors in Cumming, GA has experience working on several different types of homes and installing a multitude of siding varieties. As such, we’re confident not only that can we apply these products effectively, but also that we can do so in ways that yield the best protection and appearance for your home. For more information about the services we offer, feel free to give us a call or visit our website.

The color of your home’s siding plays a large role in how it’s perceived by your neighborhood. Whether you want to create a welcoming feeling near your entrance or demonstrate a bold new aesthetic, the hue you choose is going to have a large impact. So, as a homeowner, it’s crucial you pay attention to the message your home’s exterior is sending and choose the color that most fits your vision. These are some of the top siding colors for your home and how each could complement your personal style.

Cypress Green

Greens are great for adding a touch of natural charm to a home. Because they’re often associated with nature, deeper colors such as cypress or forest green tend to have a calming effect on a design. The richness of these colors also makes a home stand out among those around it. However, it’s important to note that greens are on the darker side—dark colors absorbs and retains heat from the sun.

Pacific Blue

Bold blues are also a popular choice. This is because, like greens, they promote a soothing and tranquil atmosphere that lends itself well to a series of different designs. The deepness of these hues is very effective when used in tandem with lighter colors, such as white or gray. Lighter blues can work well too—though they tend to show a lot more dirt and grime and need to be cleaned more often.

Desert Tan

Tan’s neutrality makes is one of the top siding colors for your home. While darker colors are eye-catching and make a statement, lighter neutrals foster a balance between other aspects of your home’s design. So, if you’re working with a series of unique features, tan is an effective hue that ties them all together.

Stone Gray

If you’d rather use something on the cooler end of the spectrum, gray could be another good choice for you. Offering the neutrality of tan with the boldness of darker colors, it’s the perfect middle ground for many homeowners. This hue is also good at creating contrast. So, you can easily give your home’s exterior the appearance of depth.

To learn more about what siding colors could work well on your home, reach out to Bear Mountain Custom Painting. Our professional exterior house painters in Cumming, GA will perform a detailed consultation with you where they discuss your options and what each could do for your home. This way, you always know what you’re getting into.