Painting your home’s interior or exterior does so much more than simply enhance its appearance. A professionally applied coat of paint has many valuable benefits, such as the following:

• Budget-Friendly Remodeling – Most dramatic home renovations cost tens of thousands of dollars, but painting is a low-cost way to breathe new life into your living spaces.
• Lasting Protection – In the crazy Charlottesville, Virginia weather, your home’s outside walls have to deal with a lot of moisture and strong forces. High-quality, protective paint can actually make these surfaces last longer. Likewise, painted walls inside help the house withstand wear and tear over time.
• Improved Curb Appeal & Resale Value – Clean, attractive paint both on the inside and outside of your home can attract more prospective buyers. You may even find that your house increases in value!
• Dirt & Dust Are Minimized – Plaster wall inside the house can accumulate dust and dirt over time. New paint keeps these surfaces from becoming and looking grimy.

Is it time to repaint your home?  Contact us today for a FREE ESTIMATE - we'd love to hear from you!

Roberto Becerra
​Owner, RB Painting Company

The green stuff on your siding is more than an eyesore. It is actually airborne algae that can cause long-term damage to the surface. While it is not uncommon to see homes with an accumulation of green stuff, it is important to take care of it in a timely fashion.

In this post, we cover what this green stuff is, how it got there, where it is typically found on a home, and how to remove it. We hope this provides proper insight for you to make educated decisions in removing the green stuff and keeping your home protected going forward.
I have green stuff on my siding. What now?While the appearance of algae on your siding is not a good thing, there is no reason to panic. Following these steps will help you get rid of it quickly and effectively:

1. Assess the problem areas and the severity of the algae staining
2. Research professional power washing companies and the processes they use
3. For the safety of your siding, hire a reputable company that uses a soft wash method

Having the siding professionally cleaned with a soft wash method is the safest, most effective route to take. An application of specialized cleansers is used to eliminate the algae growth on your siding. After the cleansers have a moment to set, water is widely distributed on the siding to remove all algae safely and efficiently.

What happens if I leave the algae alone?Truthfully, algae will not structurally harm the surface of your siding. It can, however, leave stains behind that embed themselves into the siding even after being washed. When these stains are embedded into the siding, they become a part of your siding rather than a stain. Embedded stains can be very difficult, if not impossible, to remove without structurally or aesthetically damaging your siding. The best way to prevent this from happening is to frequently maintain your home.

Where did the algae come from?It is difficult to pinpoint the point of origin of airborne algae as it varies from region to region. One cause of algal blooms in Lake Erie, for example, is sewage and agricultural runoff washing into the lake and forming this buildup. While algae blooms happen naturally, this pollution allows the algae to feed and grow. Once that alga is airborne, it can attach to dirt on siding and surfaces to feed on.

Where is green stuff typically found on a home?In most cases, algae is found on the north side of your home. One reason for this is that the north side of your home gets less sunlight than the other sides. Algae and mold form more easily in darker conditions and moisture. If untreated, additional dirt can make its way to your siding that algae can feed on, causing it to widen its coverage.

How do I keep algae off my siding for good?The best way to keep your siding protected from algae growth is to get it washed on a yearly basis. Leaving algae on the home can cause the stains to embed themselves, and the algae will make its way back over time after an initial wash. By having the house washed annually, you will be able to keep your largest investment looking great and protected from algae growth.
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Algae removal and preventative maintenance are synonymous with Perfect Power Wash. We have been helping homeowners and business owners throughout Northeast Ohio keep their properties clean for the past 20 years. Whether it is algae, mold, mildew, or any general surface contaminant, our soft wash process coupled with specialized cleansers is designed specifically to kill these on-site. If you would like to learn more, read all about our house wash, roof treatment, and our other exterior house maintenance service. If you would like a free estimate, simply click the button below!

Did you know that in addition to painting properties throughout Charlottesville, we also offer pressure washing services?  Although this isn't one of our core service offerings, it often makes up part of many projects to prep and refinish living areas.  We've been pressure washing properties for the past 20 years so rest assured that we are experts.  

Below are 5 benefits to pressure washing your property:

1. Improve your building's curb appeal 
2. Prevent repairs 
3. Clean associated spaces 
4. Protect against injury and promote health
5. Get rid of graffiti 

We would love to come out and give a free estimate to power wash your building/parking lot/living area/etc.  Contact us today for a quote and we will get back to you ASAP!

Roberto Becerra
​Owner, RB Painting Company

​We may start to sound like a broken record but we truly work tirelessly to serve each and every customer while providing superior results. We've had that philosophy for the past 20 years and it has led us to becoming one of Charlottesvill'e Painting Contractors. Below is a recent review from a project we did this past summer. We repainted Mr. Matthews' shed and house and were so pleased with the results.

Read Mr. Matthews' review below:

"RB Painting Co. just finished painting my house and shop built with HardiPlank siding. We're very pleased with the finished project. If you want painters who are extremely skilled, dedicated to make you happy, punctual, warm and friendly. This team will fill the bill. Also the price was not the highest or the lowest but I considered it fair for the quality work performed. Give them a chance to quote your job, you will not be disappointed."

Summer is quickly coming to a close, and before we know it the colors of Fall will be lining the streets of Charlottesville. From apple picking on Carter's Mountain to changing leaves on the Blue Ridge Mountains, many of us look forward to the change of seasons bringing a crisp, fresh air to our beloved Charlottesville.
With the change in weather coming soon, commercial building owners and operators are busy planning and preparing for regular maintenance and cleaning that their businesses need. With the impacts of the coronavirus to consider, preparing your commercial space for the colder months may (require additional steps) look different than in past years. 
If you don’t have a set schedule for maintaining your building, here are a few tips to put on a checklist keep in mind as we enter the fall in Charlottesville.

+Window Repair and Caulking
+Interior Cleaning and Touch Up
+Exterior Touch Ups
+Siding Cleaning
+Treat and Remove Mold
+Inspect Roofs and Gutters
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With over 20 years experience serving clients throughout Charlottesville and Central Virginia, we would love to help!

Happy Labor Day!  To say that Labor Day this year is unusual would be an understatement.  Nevertheless we are so pleased and so thankful for our wonderful clients that allow us to come on their property and do what we love so much!

Two words that stick out about Charlottesville's premier painting company are both Dedication and Understanding.  Whenever you fill out a contact form or call us, we are dedicated to providing value.  While we may not always be the cheapest option, we are always the most valuable and provide clients with the highest level of materials and attention to detail.  

Thank you once again for your commitment to RB Painting Company and we hope you and your family have had a wonderful Labor Day 2020.

Let's be honest - Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains are absolutely gorgeous all year round, but ESPECIALLY the fall.  While we are still in August, fall is right around the corner.  The pros here at RB Painting Company wanted to share a few tips on doing exterior painting in the fall.  Before we begin, if you are looking for either exterior, interior or painting maintenance, PLEASE do not hesitate to reach out to us for a free estimate!

A few tips on painting in the fall:

• As a general rule of thumb, the best hours of application in the fall are between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

• When possible, try to start your painting on the sunny side of the house and follow the sun around (this is just the opposite of painting in the summer).
  

• Lower temperatures mean slower drying and longer curing times. Be sure to allow ample time between coats. At least 24 hours is recommended at temperatures below 50º F.
  

• Watch those dew points! The dew point is the temperature at which moisture will condense on a surface. Paints, stains, or primers should not be applied unless the surface temperature is at least 5° higher than the dew point. Remember that all surfaces to be stained or painted need to be clean and dry. If dew forms on a painted surface that hasn’t had a chance to cure properly, you may experience some water spotting or surfactant leaching problems, especially in darker colors.

Your home will be looking as good as new in no time! Do the project right by following these exterior painting tips for fall.

Colors are not guaranteed to repel bugs, and research is vague and incomplete on the subject. Rather, most insects are attracted to objects regardless of color. 

Mosquitos
​While darker colors may save you from bees and beetles, they can attract a different monster- mosquitos. Mosquitos see colors differently than most insects and can pick up shades outside of the UV spectrum. Therefore, using brighter colors like white, yellow, and blue can repel these pests a little more effectively.

Picking certain paint colors can potentially reduce and repel the number of bugs you see around your home but is not guaranteed as a form of pest control.  When choosing a color, there will always be a compromise. While a darker color may deter some beetles, bees, and wasps; it can attract pesky mosquitos and flies. Vice versa with a bright color like white or yellow. Note that pests like spiders and scorpions are not included in these generalizations, as they are more attracted to places of protection and are predators that don’t need to rely on plant color for food.

When choosing a paint color for your deck, siding, or overall exterior- go with a shade that you will enjoy looking at for years to come. We here at RB Painting Company can help with color consultations to fit your needs and design preferences.  We've been serving Charlottesville and Central Virginia for almost 20 years and would love to help you!