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Exterior Painting, Painters, Painting Job
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Common Signs that a House Needs Repainting

Exterior Painting, Painters, Painting JobIf you are like most Americans, you are busy, busy, busy. Between work and home, raising a family and struggling to make ends meet, sometimes even the most obvious needs can be overlooked. This is especially true of your home’s exterior. You may pull out of the driveway before the sun comes up and pull back in long after dusk. If so, you may actually be unaware of the condition of your home’s exterior or the fact that it may need freshening up. In this blog we will provide you with a list of signs that it is time to paint your home.

  • Do an exterior walk of your home during the daylight hours, on a weekend if you work during the week. This is the best time to notice if the paint is fading. It is easiest to identify if you can find a nook or cranny on the house that is shaded and compare the sharpness of the color with an area that is in the direct weather more often.
  • The paint shows signs of wear aside from fading. For example, perhaps the exterior of the home is showing signs of rot or mold. Those are indicators that the home’s exterior needs some serious attention which may include repainting.
  • If the caulk is cracking on the exterior surfaces of the home or otherwise appears brittle, this means the caulk has lost its elasticity and should be updated. In other words, the exterior needs to be repainted. This will prevent further wear and tear on the home.
  • You are selling your house. This is often a difficult decision. You really don’t want to pay to update the home’s exterior if you are not staying there, but potential buyers are attracted to homes that look fresh and updated. It’s called curb appeal and the most common way to get it is by painting. Consider the cost and benefits. Ultimately you can pass the cost of the painting on to the buyer in the form of a higher price.

Finally, a home’s exterior should be painted every five to ten years. Knowing this – you may be in need of a paint job. If so, don’t hesitate to call the experts at University Painters, Inc. Your home is our business.

Uncategorized
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Exterior Painters,paint,painting company
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Prepping Your House for that New Exterior Paint Job

Exterior Painters,paint,painting companyYou’ve finally decided it’s time to spruce up the outside of your home. Maybe you are getting ready to sell it or maybe you just want to have a house that looks good inside and out. Well, everyone knows you need to pick out the color. That’s the fun part of the job. But there’s more to painting a house than putting on paint. There are a number of steps that must be taken to be sure the surfaces are prepped and ready to receive the color and reflect it in the best way possible for years to come. Let’s consider these steps more closely.

  1. Trim back shrubbery, trees and other landscaping so they do not become part of the paint job.
  2. Begin the painting process by cleaning the entire exterior of your home completely. You want the house to be fully clean so the paint doesn’t dry with dirt and other pollutants mixed in. The best way to do this is to power wash your home. If you do not own a power washer, they can be rented at most home repair and construction stores. Use a cleaner or additive only if you find mold and stains.
  3. Allow at least 24 hours for the exterior to dry thoroughly before beginning the next step, which requires a paint scraper and patience. Methodically move around the entire outside of the house scraping paint chips and flakes. These become quite obvious if they are painted over and not removed beforehand.
  4. Caulking is the next step. Here too, patience and attention to detail are necessary. The most expedient way to carry out this task is to fill cracks with caulk until it seeps beyond the edge, then wipe away the excess with a damp rag.
  5. If you have been cataloging areas of the exterior that need repairs, this is the time to complete them. Rotted boards or other problems that are too difficult to handle on your own require calling in a professional, such as a painting contractor, to complete the job.
  6. Next, prime the house with a quality primer. It seals the wood from the elements and will help make your paint job last longer.

Now it’s time to paint! Or you could hire the painting professionals at University Painters. We have been in the business since 1986 and we’ll treat your home as if it is our own! Contact us at  800-390-4848 for more information.

Creative, Maintenance, Paint Colors
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exterior painting, House Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

How to Know it’s Time to Paint Your House!

exterior painting, House PaintersHave you been pulling into the driveway lately and feeling that the house staring back at you seems a bit worn? Is it looking dull? Do the other homes in the neighborhood seem newer and more modern? Perhaps all that you really need is a fresh coat of paint to spruce up the place and make it feel new again – and the same is as true for the inside as outside! Putting a fresh coat of paint on the house or inside is like updating your wardrobe! Here are some sure-fire ways to know when it’s time to paint!

You know it’s time to paint when you see the paint cracking or bubbling. This could actually signal more significant problems underneath the paint such as dry rot or mold. Both of these are issues that will cause long-term and significant damage if they are not addressed.

Check the caulking on the windows outside (and inside). Dried and cracked caulking is also an indication you need to take a closer look at the condition of the home and spruce it up. Upkeep is often cheaper than letting things deteriorate so badly that they cause costly damage to the overall structure.

Is the color of the paint looking dingy? Faded? Perhaps one side of the house gets more sun than the other and that causes discoloration. Weather plays an important role in how the outside of your home holds up. Do a monthly or bimonthly walk around as a way to identify problems with the paint and/or structure.

Paint your home – just because. Because you have lived there for a few years and want a change. Because you found a color you like better and think it will give the home greater curb appeal (you want curb appeal even if you are not selling the home as it keeps its value elevated). Or because it hasn’t been painted in 7 years or more – the recommended amount of time between paint jobs.

While these are the main reasons for painting the exterior, you may decide to do it simply because you want a change. One sure way that can happen is by putting on a whole new color! Whatever your reason for choosing to paint, when the time comes we hope you will call the professionals at University Paint. We would be happy to provide a quote and provide the highest quality service. We look forward to speaking with you.

Maintenance, Paint Colors
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Home Painter , Painting ,Carpentry,
Regular Post
Written by Josh Jablon

Home Maintenance Tips For Spring!

Home Maintenance Spring Checklist

Your home is one of your greatest investments and it is extremely important to properly maintain it!  Winter weather can be rough on your homes exterior, see below for some helpful home maintenance tips to keep everything in tip top shape!
  • Check the exterior of your homes foundation as well as windows and door frames for cracks that may need to be caulked or weather stripping needs to be replaced. Caulking and sealing these areas will help keep the summer heat outside and keep those air conditioning bills lower!
  • Remove storm window and doors and replace with screen windows and doors. If you did not wash your screens in the fall, wash them with a mild detergent before replacing.
  • Check the exterior of your home for any areas of paint failure including cracking, peeling or bubbling paint. Look closely under eaves and gutter downspouts for any water stains or damage to indicate improper drainage.
  • Perform a ground inspection of your roof and if you feel there are any issues be sure to call a professional for further inspection. Also check for any paint failure on fascia as well as damaged flashing. Lastly be sure to inspect your gutters and downspouts for any damage.
  • Is the interior of your home insulated? This can cut back on heating and air conditioning bills greatly!
  • It’s time to change the direction of your ceiling fans!
  • Change or clean your air conditioner filter and check all hose connections and drain pans. It will definitely be put to work this summer! Any questions or concerns be sure to call a professional.
  • Vacuum out dust from the vents around your house and air returns.
  • Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are in proper working order.
  • Check your deck for any warped, loose or splintered boards. Experts say decks should be cleaned at least once a year to help extend their life

Thanks to Bob Vila at www.bobvilla.com for the inspiration for these great home maintenance tips.
Maintenance
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