Category Archives: Maintenance

Whether you are the owner of a commercial property or the manager of the facility – there are certain considerations that should be taken under advisement as you set out to find a commercial paint company for your structure.

Let us start by agreeing that in most instances the presentation of the building and property are an important asset. They are a silent confirmation that the owner takes pride in their business and that bodes well for potential customers. Of course, there are exceptions when a customer does not decide if they would engage the company based solely on the façade (for example, many people still expect auto garages to exude a greasy atmosphere with workers in coveralls and dirty parts all around).

What the building or commercial property looks like on the outside is often an important component to bringing the customer to the threshold. A worn-down look will definitely be a deterrent to potential consumers. That makes the responsibility of the facility manager all the more important. Here are some tips to make the job of hiring a commercial paint company a positive experience.

• Map out the extent of the work that will be required in advance. That will require attention to detail and reflection. Perform a thorough walk-around of the building. Get up close and look for spots that need repair. Ensure that you know and can iterate the exact expectations so there will be no confusion when a contract is awarded.

• Inquire with your business neighbors about any commercial painting they have had done and ask for recommendations. Start by contacting these companies and inviting them in to give an estimate. Make sure the estimate is in writing and pay attention to the details. Perhaps the company does not do its own cleanup. Or maybe they are only available certain hours. Find out in advance so there are no surprises. Also ask about warranties and guarantees.

• Determine if they have licenses to handle industrial materials. What is their experience with substrates? What types of commercial painting have they done in the past?

• Consider expanding your search outside the recommendations of your neighbors. There are a variety of online resources that will provide references for commercial painters.

Need commercial painting done? Contact the seasoned professionals at University Painters, Inc.

The exteriors of homes receive some of the greatest punishment. No matter what the weather, it can adversely affect the paint of the exterior siding and the trim. The rains of spring, the hot sunshine of summer and the winter snow and sleet that occurs around a good part of the country all combine to cause wear and tear on the home. Today’s paints are made to stand up to the constant assault of the weather but even so, eventually you will need to update your home’s exterior. What follows are some issues that you will encounter if you stay in your home long enough!

• Paint blistering. A blister is a tiny raised bubble. If you have ever stayed out in the sunshine too long and gotten a sunburn it will often turn to little blisters before the skin peels away. The same can be said for the paint on your home. Blisters may appear in the paint if it was originally applied when the sun was too hot, or there was dew or humidity in the air at the time of painting. Your home may also be in need of better ventilation.

• Chalking. Chalk is powdery and leaves a residue on surfaces including the exterior of the home. Most experts agree that a little bit of chalking is not uncommon nor is it something to worry about. However, it can be an indication that the paint used was of a lesser quality or had been thinned. When severe, there may be runoff from the side of the home which stains other surfaces. Chalking can also be a sign that porous areas of the home that were painted were likely not sealed correctly. To correct this condition, power wash the side of the home to assess the extent of the chalking then consider repainting.

• Alligatoring. This is the formation of cracks and grooves in a paint job that causes it to resemble the skin of an alligator. There are multiple causes of this including the use of excessively thick paint or the second coat of paint was applied before the first coat was fully dry. Of course, the home’s exterior may develop these cracks as a part of the natural aging process as well. The only option is to sand off the old paint and apply a high-quality new coating.

University Painters, Inc. knows all about the common issues that homeowners experience. We are professionals who can help you solve these problems!

There are a number of items that are considered ‘tools of the trade’ in residential and business painting. Whether you are going to paint the home or business on your own or hire a professional painting company – or even if you are starting your own paint company – it’s helpful to know what is needed.

• Tarps – covers that prevent your indoor and outdoor items from getting errant drips of paint on them. No one wants floors, furniture or outdoor shrubbery to end up with paint stains.

• Brushes – there are dozens of brush sizes that are identified by the width of the brush head marked in inches or millimeters. Brush types include bristles made of various materials including nylon and synthetics. They also come in various types such as ‘angled sash’ or ‘foam’. It is advisable to have several of the most common sizes and types available before you start painting.

Also, make sure you have the materials you need to wash the brushes after each paint session. If you don’t thoroughly clean your brushes at the end of every paint session they will quickly become ruined.

• Paint rollers – the paint roller is most efficient for painting large flat surfaces. A paint roller is a simple tool that consists of the roller frame and roller cover. The roller cover is nappy and holds the paint. They are typically made of lamb’s wool, synthetic fabrics or foam. Paint rollers also come in different nap sizes. Shorter naps are better for smooth surfaces.

• Airless sprayer – this tool is used to pump paint at a very high pressure. The outcome is a smooth and even application of the paint. Airless sprayers are a quick way to paint large surfaces without leaving behind brush or ‘stipple’ marks that are commonly left behind using ‘hand methods’.

• HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) sprayer – when used to apply paint they will not create the ‘fog’ common to the more powerful airless sprayer. Training in the use of either tool is advised to ensure the user understands the inherent challenges and potential dangers.

Remember – use the right tool for the right job. Better yet, contact the paint professionals at University Painters, Inc.

Making sure your business is ‘presentation-ready’ and appealing to customers may be one of the most important ways to draw customers. This means that the exterior should be bright and clean and pleasant to the eye. The first step is to keep the outside of the business looking freshly painted. This telegraphs the message to the customer that you are open for business and have pride in your product or service. If you have done a recent walk-around the outside of your building and believe it is time for a new paint job, here are a few suggestions that will help you get ready while minimizing the disruption.

• Develop a schedule that lists the steps necessary to get the project underway and complete – from start to finish. Add a timeline and review the list regularly to ensure there are no long delays or issues that are unresolved.

• Create alerts for the customers and employees well in advance. You should put notices up on the front door and other entryways letting people know the dates and times the exterior will be undergoing a paint job and when you expect it to be finished. This will allow customers and employees the ability to avoid the area if they have medical issues that arise from the smell of paint.

• Be sure to have completed any repair work to the exterior prior to the first day of painting unless the contractor has agreed to address these issues as part of the pre-painting process. For example, peeling paint should be scraped away so it is not painted over directly. It may be necessary to power wash the exterior before applying fresh paint as well. There are a number of pre-painting hurdles that must be overcome before the first stroke of the brush hits the side of the building.

• Take the time to choose a color that enhances your building’s exterior and aligns to the product or service you offer. For example, a child’s boutique painted in a bold red would be off-putting to most customers. However, a hardware store might be suitable for some shade in the ‘red family’.

Are you getting ready to update your business’s exterior with a new paint job? Contact the professionals at University Painters, Inc.

With each turn of the calendar page to a new year Americans tend to embrace the idea of making New Year’s resolutions that will result in improvements to their lives. May we suggest you do the same with regard to your home? This year, when the calendar reads January take a good hard look at your residence with the intent of finding places that need to be upgraded or improved. This may include the need for a new coat of paint when spring rolls around, or simply some good old-fashioned organization. Here are some ideas that will brighten your home and your mood!

• Do a complete walk-through of the interior of your home. Use a notepad and pen or a list program on your phone or computer. Take pictures of areas that you would like to have cleaned up or cleaned out, painted or repaired. Repeat this process for the exterior of your home as well. Sometimes a home owner is more likely to be honest about the condition of their residence in the winter weather than on a sunny clear day!

• Now, take your list and organize the issues you have noted in order of importance. Which problem would you like to tackle first? What can wait?

• Beneath each project write out the materials and steps that will need to be taken to complete the job. For example, perhaps your basement is dusty and has been a catch-all for years. What steps would you need to take to make the area usable? What materials would it require?

• Create a realistic calendar for when you will complete each project. Do not set goals that you will fail to reach. All too often, resolutions are abandoned because they are unreasonable from the start. If you are really committed to making authentic changes then ensure that your schedule is obtainable.
• Be sure to stretch the projects out over the course of the year. Also, be prepared to rearrange the schedule in case of weather or other problems. Do not let challenges prevent you from achieving your goals.
• Incorporate celebrations for each achievement…After all – this is your home and your life! You simply can never give yourself too many pats on the back for making things better!

When you are ready for the support of a professional paint company contact the experts at University Painters, Inc.

So, the month of February has rolled around and you are ‘itching’ to get into those home projects. February is a tough time for homeowners. Anywhere you live in the Mid Atlantic region the climate is dreary, and the vegetation around your home lifeless. You are probably spending hours looking through home magazines and catalogs to find the perfect appointments for your outdoor setting. Well, you can do better than that. You can start prepping your home for spring so when the weather breaks you can get outdoors and get busy!

• Clean those gutters. Using a sturdy ladder and heavy work gloves climb up and clear the gutters. Then stick the garden hose on one end and flush out the gutters until they run clear. Double check that the downspouts are channeling the water far away from your home’s foundation.
You may consider hiring a service or handyman to do this job if you do not want to climb a ladder. A second option is to invest in seamless gutters or self-cleaning gutters. No matter what you decide, it is advisable to double check the gutters once or twice a year to make sure they are in good working order – and clean!

• Check foundation vents. If your home has a crawl space, then you have vents along the foundation walls. These vents serve a purpose. They prevent mold by allowing excess moisture to exit beneath the home while also keeping animals out. Cleaning the area around them should be a regular part of prepping your home.

• Be proactive in preventing an infestation of bugs. ‘Bug-proof’ your house early. There are now a number of environmentally-friendly but highly effective products to complete this task. Spraying around the foundation of the home will help keep insects outdoors where they belong.

• Do a complete walk-around of the house. Inspect the current state of the exterior looking for areas of mold, cracking paint, and other issues.

You might also clean your patio furniture, clean the grill, prep the yard for new spring plantings and grass growth, and clean the windows. Contact University Painters, Inc. for a complete assessment of your home’s exterior.

So, you are thinking about having your home’s exterior painted this year and you would like to include an estimate in your annual home budget. You don’t want to get too serious yet and call in professionals to give you an estimate, You simply want to come up with a ‘ball-park’ figure you can jot down and return to when you are closer to the time you want to get quotes.

• Start by acknowledging you will need to power wash the outside of the home as the essential first step and as part of the complete package for painting your home’s exterior. Power washing removes all the debris from the surface of your home and allows you to see where minor repairs may need to be made. When hiring a residential painting company, ensure that they offer power washing services.

• Consider the cost of supplies to paint your home’s exterior. Take the time to visit a store that sells paint and supplies to get input on the materials these experts suggest will be needed in order to complete the job. This is probably a worthwhile venture even if you intend to hire a residential paint company.

• The biggest cost for painting your home will be the labor involved. While many people tend to think house-painting requires little to no skill – quite the opposite is true. Exterior home painting requires finesse and patience. Professionals understand how to apply paint evenly and expertly. They know how to address small problems that may occur as the job gets underway. There are times of the day and year that are better for ensuring that the exterior paint job will have the greatest endurance. Professionals understand that painting is methodical, and they aim to ensure the last stroke is as well-placed as the first.

• Determine the square footage of your home by measuring the perimeter and height – and multiplying the numbers together. That is the maximum amount and does not include windows and doors. Multiply by the average cost of labor in your area.

A beautifully painted home or business is worth every penny! Contact the professionals at University Painters, Inc. for more information – we’ll be glad to provide a quote!

Are you a business owner who has recently decided that your building’s interior or exterior needs to be refreshed? Are you considering a paint job to give your company a more modern, clean and inviting look? All too often, proprietors believe that in order to complete an indoor or outdoor paint job effectively with the minimum of fuss they must close their doors to customers until the work is done. Well, you should know that nothing can be further from the truth! That’s right – you can keep your doors open for business while you go about the business of updating your presentation.

Now, there is no question that painting, and renovating can be a major disruption to a company’s day-to-day operations. However, if you plan properly and well in advance then this preparation can make the process simpler and less troublesome. Here are some suggestions.

• Start by contacting the local authorities to ensure you are permitted to stay open during renovations. Different municipalities have varying requirements, so this is the best place to begin.

• Take an assessment of what activities occur on a daily basis and how much space and what space is required to carry out these duties. Look for ways to minimize the disruption. For example, perhaps in the early morning or late afternoon there is a lull in customers so that can open up a period of time to work in an area that may otherwise be quite busy.

• The best approach is to create zones within the business in which you can move from area to area. This helps keep your business and renovations organized.

• Make sure that you are able to keep fresh warm air flowing to ensure your employees and/or customers stay comfortable should you decide to paint during the cooler months.

• Announce your intentions to remodel, refurbish or repaint to the public on the multiple media outlets available to you. Also put large signs on the outside of your business so customers know what to expect in advance. However, if you are going to stay open during that time – make sure this information is front and center so you don’t scare off customers who might think you are closed.

University Painters, Inc. has the expertise to keep your business up and running during painting renovations. Contact us today for more information.

Today’s homeowners and business owners have multiple options that will allow them to keep their freshly painted walls looking fresh and new for longer than ever before. One great invention that has proven appealing is the ‘scuff-resistant paint’. Now, if you have children, animals or employees you know very well that your beautiful walls can become marred very quickly due to marks caused from brushing up against them accidentally.

Scuff-resistant paint is a revolutionary new type of covering for walls. It has been designed and manufactured to hold up against scuff marks in high-traffic areas at home or at work. Many home and business owners will paint their walls twice in an effort to keep scuff marks at bay – although this rarely ever works. Scuff-resistant paint is an interior latex that requires no mixing, emits little odor and applies as easily as any other type of paint. Moreover, it comes in the same variety of colors and finishes.

While many paint companies proclaimed their product stood up to scuffs in the past there is a difference in today’s scuff-resistant paints. They are engineered utilizing a combination of new and different materials that have been created and tested in laboratories. They have lower VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which make them more environmentally friendly, offer better coverage than ever before, and apply as easily as any other type of paint.

In the end, perhaps the most appealing quality for busy homeowners and business owners is that they are low-maintenance and easy to clean. Once it has dried you can often just wipe the surface and it looks as new and clean as the day you painted!

However, just as it is true with all paints, the glossier the paint the more resistant it is to scuff marks. Too, it is important to know the substrate you will be painting and what types of paint are recommended for these surfaces.

Scuff-resistant paint is becoming more popular in the ‘common areas’ in hospitals and dormitories, government buildings, theaters, airports, hotels and just about anywhere that the general public gathers or commutes.

If you are getting ready to repaint or paint for the first time, consider using scuff-resistant paint. To learn more or for other residential and commercial paint questions contact the experts at University Painters, Inc.