Category Archives: Maintenance

Now, you know your business! You probably live, eat and breath every tiny aspect of keeping it up and running because research shows that small and medium-sized business owners make their livelihood from this endeavor. So, this blog is not intended to give the impression we do not respect your broad and deep intellect when it comes to your company. However, we have been in the business of commercial and residential painting for years and have found that a well-placed reminder on occasion ensures you are proactive in maintaining an exceptional presentation!

• When you are budgeting, whether you do it quarterly, semi-annually or annually, include the cost of updating your building’s façade and interior on a regular basis. In fact, several times a year you should walk the interior and exterior of your property with an eye towards assessing how it looks to the public.
• Check your parking lot. Be sure that it looks fresh and clean and the parking space lines and other markings are visible and easily identifiable. This is especially true of the handicapped features. If these are mismarked or not clearly visible, it could result in a fine or lawsuit.
• Do not allow graffiti to take away from your building’s presentation. If you find graffiti anywhere on the building contact a graffiti removal company or commercial painting business to rid your exterior of it immediately. Also contact the police and take pictures of the graffiti for documentation purposes. You are able to press charges if the culprit (s) are found and ask for restitution.
• If you are not able to repaint the entire exterior or interior of your business, consider updating the look of the trim and perhaps the door. Freshly painted parts of the building can complement the current paint job and make it look newly updated altogether.
• Don’t forget to budget for painting fencing if you have that on your property. No matter what kind of material your fence is made of it will need to be updated occasionally.

You are the steward of your business – embrace the responsibility knowing that a nice presentation invites business. If you need more input on painting your commercial property, contact the experts at University Painters, Inc.

Some painting projects are more sensitive than others. For example, painting an auto body shop may require general expertise but painting a medical facility of any type requires special knowledge . Hospitals and medical buildings of all types must keep in mind the types of actions that are going to be taking place. In any given day, a hospital will schedule surgeries, operate laboratory facilities, feed hundreds of people in the cafeteria and require the use of chemicals to clean and maintain the building. Trying to fit painting inside or outside into this schedule can be a very complex undertaking to say the least.

Then, of course, there is the idea that the smell of paint or paint fumes can be mildly offensive to some and make others physically ill. So, as you can see, painting a hospital or medical facility requires expertise and experience. What kind of knowledge base would you expect a paint company to have if they were going to undertake a hospital painting project?

A professional painter will understand low-VOC and no-VOC. VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. These are NOT harmful to humans or the environment. The term usually refers to paint (and several other types of materials such as cleaners, sealants and adhesives). Volatile organic compounds are photo-chemical and react when they are exposed to the air. This could occur on a short term basis or even over long periods of time in the form of harmful gases from traditional paints and adhesives. They can even lead to some very serious illnesses such as cancer, central nervous system disorders, headaches and much more. Therefore, the newer paints that are low-VOC or no-VOC are the clear better choice for large commercial jobs where people’s health is at risk.

Other things that also need to be taken into consideration when doing commercial painting of a hospital are the types of drywall repair to be completed prior to the actual application of paint, the types of flooring (non-slip safety and epoxy), and the electrostatic paint equipment that will be needed.

If you have a large and sensitive commercial paint project you need completed, call the experts at University Painters, Inc. Your painting needs are our business!

The exteriors of homes can be made of many different types of materials. There’s processed wood, siding, brick and more. One type of home exterior material that can prove to be especially challenging to construct, maintain and paint is stucco.

Stucco is ‘fine plaster’. It is used on certain interior decorations and molding or as coating for the surfaces of walls. Stucco is durable and resists all types of weather so it is an excellent choice for a home’s exterior. Too, it can be turned into various patterns. The appearance may be smooth, raked, or even circular to give a home a unique look.

Stucco is not expensive as it is made from lime, sand and cement. It is simply a wonderful alternative for your home’s exterior. Even so, it will need to be refreshed with a fresh coat of paint. But, before you think about opening that first new can of paint, follow the same procedure you would with any exterior painting job.

Begin by walking the entire perimeter of your home. Look for places that are showing signs of wear, tiny cracks and holes, mildew or other damage. Next, power wash the entire exterior then perform a second walk around. This will help you confirm what areas really need repair and what might have been hidden by dirt!

Fill any small holes and cracks with a siliconized caulk. Make sure that the caulk has time to set and dry before moving forward. Now, before putting on that final coat of paint, do your home a favor and add a layer of acrylic primer. This helps to secure the weather resistant properties of the paint you are about to apply. In other words, it adds to the staying power of the paint while also enhancing the color you will apply.

Next apply the paint. It is best to paint around the exterior of the windows, doors and trim first to set up a nice perimeter border. Be sure to add a second coat.

If you have any questions, contact the expert exterior painters at University Painters, Inc. We look forward to creating the perfect look for you. https://universitypainters.com/

There is no question that a freshly painted home has increased value and curb appeal. Even if you don’t intend to move and have only painted for your own enjoyment, there are additional things you can do that will further enhance the look of your home. Let’s consider some of these ideas in this entry.

• Add a fence. Fencing can serve as an addition to the home while also marking the boundaries of your lot. Fencing comes in a variety of options such as wood or chain link and also comes in a variety of sizes that can allow for privacy and safety.
• Add window boxes. They can be a bright and interesting addition all year round. You are able to put in seasonal blooms and decorations to brighten the home and make it more interesting and inviting to the passerby. Window boxes also come in a variety of materials, many of which give the appearance of one material (such as stone) while being made of durable plastic.
• Lighting. There are so many options to add light to your home! Solar lights are available that cost nothing except the initial purchase. They store their own energy and beam in the dark. Other lights can also be purchased to accent a particular part of the home such as entryways or windows. Lights come in a wide variety of colors and designs and add to the uniqueness of your home’s presentation.
• Paint accents. Once you have painted your home’s exterior and have become accustomed to the new look this is the best time to decide if you would like contrasting colors for window panes and even your door. Many times contrasting colors gives a home a bit of spark and interest.
• Don’t forget the hardware. Hardware for doors, windows, the garage and other appropriate areas can also make your home ‘sparkle’. Hardware can be fun or it can be used to subtly accent an area.
• Consider a new garage door or redo the driveway. These are two parts of the home that can make a home stand out in a neighborhood. Garage doors can now be custom made and options for driveways are expansive as well.

Let University Painters, Inc. give your home a professional coat of paint then you can add the extras!

There are a wide variety of industrial, retail and office buildings that require regular repainting to keep the exterior looking fresh and inviting. This type of painting has different expectations than painting the exterior of a home. While both are important, if you are in the market for a commercial painter, be sure to ask for references to determine if they have completed any of the following types of jobs. Commercial painting is much different than house painting and you want to be sure the company you hire is up to the job!

• Condos, apartments and HOAs. Commercial painting professionals know that the best time to undertake these projects is in the spring when there is a better chance of multiple days without inclement weather. April, May and June are great times for exterior painting of projects of this size.

Your commercial painter should know that it is important for the weather to be dry over several days and that the forecast is for it to remain that way for the duration of the project. Water or moisture in the form of humidity or a high dew point can cause mildew, water rot, and paint failure.

Commercial painters of large properties such as apartments or condo units begin by inspecting the entire property for any problems with the surfaces to determine if repairs must be made prior to painting.

Next, the commercial painter should clean the surface using high pressured water. This should be done twice. The first time will loosen the dirt and impurities and the second cleaning will then wash them away. After this, repairs of cracks and removal of loose paint can be completed.

Exteriors should then be primed. Priming acts as an initial coat for the walls. It makes the surface smooth and ‘stable’ before the paint is applied. In the end, a primer gives the paint a more polished look while also increasing the life of the paint job.

The final step is to paint. Once this is done, the professional commercial paint company should do a complete and thorough walk through to ensure the job looks good from all angles.

Commercial property managers should consider painting the exteriors annually. It keeps the property looking pristine and presentable and helps to maintain its value. If you are in the market for exceptional commercial property painters, contact the experts at University Painters, Inc. We’ve got you covered!

Spring is setting in and people start dreaming about spring cleaning and modernizing your home’s look. One of the busiest times of the year for home improvement stores is the spring! If you have stopped in lately and seen the price of exterior paint, you may be asking yourself why is there such a difference in price? In some cases, you can get a gallon of paint for ten dollars while further down the shelf it can cost up to forty dollars or more. Of course, if you buy paint in larger quantities the price difference can shrink. Is more expensive paint any better than the cheaper stuff? Let’s consider this more closely in this blog.

There are several factors that influence the difference in paint prices. Research also shows that nearly every paint company makes paint that falls within the continuum of inexpensive to expensive, so the name of the company alone should not be your deciding factor.

Paint is made of resins, solvents and pigments. The more expensive the paint the more pure and smaller the pigments. Pigments in the less expensive paints are of a lesser grade and spread out more which means the job will require multiple coats, so it is just as costly in the end. Too, the more expensive the paint the more likely the resin is of a higher quality which adds to the durability of the job.

Lastly, the solvents in paint also vary according to cost with cheaper paints having more solvents that evaporate leaving the paint and resin behind when it dries. And the more expensive paints also have additives that help prevent painted surfaces from mildew. Experts also advise you to purchase paint that is one hundred percent acrylic. Why? Because acrylic paint is fast drying and water-resistant when it has dried.

Whether you intend to do your own exterior (or interior) painting this spring, the best idea is to purchase the higher quality but more expensive paint. For all practical purposes, it will be cheaper in the long-run.

And if you decide to turn the painting responsibility over to an exterior home painting company, be sure they use high quality paint as well. If you are looking for experts in exterior and interior home painting, contact the professionals at University Painters, Inc. We look forward to providing you with superior service.

The importance of a good exterior paint job on your home goes far beyond mere aesthetics. Of course you want your home to look good and stand out, without clashing with the rest of the neighborhood, but the value that a quality paint job provides simply starts here. By combining the proper materials with the correct techniques, your paint job can extend the life of your siding and trim, thereby increasing the value of your home. The experts at University Painters are always available to help make your home the nicest on the block.
The first component of any quality paint job, or of any job for that matter, is using the appropriate tools. Good synthetic hair brushes go a long way, and to paint your house you will need a large straight-edged brush, as well as a smaller angled-edge brush, the smaller one being used for detail areas. You will also need rollers, and it is important to have a different roller for each different color of paint. Of course you will need paint, as well. Acrylic latex paint is ideal for exterior paint jobs because it holds up to the weather the best, thereby keeping your paint looking fresh year after year.
One of the simplest, yet most important techniques when painting is to always paint into an area that has fresh paint on it, commonly referred to as painting into a wet edge. Use the door and window frames to help divide larger areas into smaller areas so that you can paint an entire section at once. This process is important because it help provide smooth and uniform color in each coat of paint. Other little things, like holding your paint can close to reduce spillage and dripping, and painting doors and windows first, are important to the process, as well. Reducing drippage is important not only to make sure that the paint stays where you want it to be, but also because drips do not dry smoothly. If they are not caught and fixed right away they can affect the outcome of your efforts. Meanwhile, you want to paint your doors and windows earlier in the day so that they have plenty of time to dry, unless you plan on leaving them open when you go to sleep. Closing windows or doors that are not fully dry can spread the paint to unwanted areas, as well as result in a tacky or sticky finish around the edges.
A good paint job requires days of preparation before the painting can even begin. To do the entire job properly yourself, you need to be prepared to dedicate the better part of two months to the process. The skilled professionals at University Painters can complete the task in a fraction of that time, with a level of care and expertise that is unparalleled in the industry. The award-winning service provided by University Painters guarantees that your home will be treated with the utmost care and professionalism, resulting in a paint job that you can take pride in for years to come. For more information, to schedule an appointment, or to request a quote, please visit universitypainters.com.