Exterior Painting (Commonly Asked Questions)
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If your question
is not asked here. You may search our site or read information in the painting library. If
you are unable to locate what you need, contact us
by phone, mail or e-mail, and we would be happy to assist you. |
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| No. In our particular area normally
both husband and wife many times have to work outside of the home. This presents no
problem whatsoever for us. However, we will most likely need access to the house in order
to open the windows and doors in order to paint them.We normally arrive on the job before
you need to leave for work and special arrangements can always be made to pick up a key
ahead of time if needed. We have never had a problem when it comes to the trustworthiness
of our painters. Your home will be respected the same as it would be if you were there.
However we also realize that many people are uncomfortable with leaving workmen at their
house unattended. We understand this hesitancy by some and are not offended by that. |
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| For the painting of the exterior there
probably is not much at all that you need to do. We will remove the storm windows
ourselves and we normally move patio furniture etc. If you have firewood stacked next to
the house or something of that nature then we would ask that you move that approx. 6' away
from the areas to be painted. We can move it if necessary however an extra charge may
apply. |
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Many factors can
contribute to that.
1. The quality of the paint used is of the utmost importance.
2. The amount of nearby trees and shrubbery and whether or not you have an automatic
sprinkler system that keeps the house or nearby greenery constantly damp or moist..
3. Window unit air conditioners are a major source of rotted window sills and peeling
paint around the window frames and siding below.
There are too many factors to take into consideration here, and each home can be
different. However a good quality job done by a professional crew under normal conditions
should last anywhere from 5-8 years. Call us and we will be happy to evaluate your
particular situation and offer you a more precise answer. |
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| Drop cloths are used underneath all
areas that are being painted. Walkways, patio furniture and shrubbery are all protected
during painting. |
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| Surfaces are cleaned, all caulking is
checked during painting and replaced as needed. All areas are properly scraped and primed
prior to the application of the finish coat(s) of paint being applied |
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| While every job is different normally
you can expect a crew of 3-4 painters. |
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| We only use top of the line paints and
primers for our customers from what we consider to be top of the line companies. Sherwin
Williams, Benjamin Moore and Duron are the preferred brands. As to the type of paint
being, oil based or latex, homes and requirements are different. We would have to evaluate
your home and see what your particular needs are. And we are certainly willing to meet
your desires. |
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| We want you happy upon the completion
of your job. But regardless of the quality of work done, if at the completion you are
unhappy with the color you chose, you most likely will not use our company again. Every
painting contractor has had a job where the customer liked the quality of work, the crew
and everything about the company but they were unhappy with the colors used and now their
whole perspective is clouded and they view the job as a bad experience. After selecting a
painting contractor, the selection of colors to be used are the next most important
decision that you need to make. Take your time on color selection and only use a company
that is willing to assist you in making those decisions. Ask for color charts ahead of
time and buy a quart or so of paint to try it on a couple of different areas of your home
as well as in different types of lighting if you feel you need to. The cost of a few
samples of paint is much cheaper than repainting a room or entire house if you end up
unhappy with the color chosen. If you do not want to change the color of your home, then
just ask us to match the existing color and we will most likely be able to do that. |
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- I have oil based paint
on my house now, can I switch to an acrylic
latex enamel?
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| Yes. However there are necessary steps
that must be taken first in order to assure success. Only use a contractor who is
knowledgeable about those steps and one who is willing to explain the proper procedures to
you. |
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| You may either contact us or use our request an estimate link. |
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| We can get the same color, but keep in
mind that every house is different and the color may not look the same or have the same
effect on your home as it does on theirs. Find out from your friend what the color is and
get a sample if possible from the paint dealer where your neighbor purchased their paint.
Paint a few small areas and check how it will look on your home. Lighting, landscaping and
other factors may give it a different look on your home. |
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| Contact
us and we will send you a contract and schedule your
work. |
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| Many painters will replace rotted wood
during the course of a paint job, as will our crews. However, if the extent of the damage
is more than we normally handle, we will inform you of that and you can make a decision as
to whether you want a carpenter you already know of to make the repairs or you would like
us to recommend one to you. Check our referral link for the
name or the carpenter we currently recommend. If rotted would is discovered during the
course of your painting we will notify you of that so that you can determine what course
of action you would like to take. |
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- I have received a
number of estimates from different painting contractors and there seems to be a wide
variance in prices, why is that?
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| There are a number of good painting
contractors to choose from and what you will normally find is that the established
companies are usually fairly close in price. However at times you will get an estimate
that is a lot lower than others and at times you may get one that seems excessively high.
There could be many factors here. Is the company licensed and insured ? Do the painters
work for the company therefore being subject to all of the additional payroll expenses ?
or are they daily labor ? I suggest you read our article, Homeowner Beware for a more thorough discussion on this subject. Also read the
article "Why to hire A
Professional Painting Contractor" |
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| There are a number of reasons. Go to
our exterior paint
problem solver guide for an explanation of a few
different types of paint failure. |
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| We feel that a house is a lot like an
automobile in the fact that the investment is large and the maintenance is a must. If we
don't wait until the engine blows to check or change the oil we can protect our
investment. Please read the two articles, "Protect Your Investment" and "Why Paint" for a few more thoughts on the subject. |
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- Do I choose
latex or oil? And, what is an alkyd paint?
When would I use a latex paint?
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| There is an increasing exodus away from
many of the oil products but ask 10 people and you may get 10 different answers. Review
our short article titled "Do I
Choose Oil Or Latex Paint" |
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| Your home's
exterior is the first impression visitors have of you. You should want it to look good.
First, be sure to take into account the fixed colors of your home - brick, stone work and
the roof color. You may want to consider choosing a paint color that will pick up the
color from one of these non-painted areas such as, for example, a brown that appears in
your brick. In addition, the style of your home may play a role in the colors you select.
If, for example, you have an architecturally accurate reproduction of a colonial-style
home, you may want to use authentic exterior colors from that period. Or, if you have a
Victorian-era home you may want to use a number of colors to accentuate the architectural
details (gingerbread) on your home. Generally, you can't go wrong selecting a light color
for the body of the house and a darker, complimentary color for the trim. Another way to
set your home off is to create an interesting welcoming entrance by painting your front
door in a bold color scheme. Your local independent paint retailer can help you select
just the right color scheme for your exterior project. |
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| Mildew is something that practically
every house develops and it must be dealt with a proper understanding of what it is, why
it's there and how to get rid of it. Read about mildew in our library. |
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Cupping is a
form of warping and is caused by uneven shrinking or swelling within the individual
boards. Shrinking and swelling is normal in wood, through temperature changes, but can be
increased if moisture is allowed to enter the wood unchecked and spacing is not maintained
between boards to encourage airflow. When wood is left unprotected it can have a tendency
to absorb moisture which can cause it to cup or warp.
Most standard lumber grades have a high proportion of flat grain (horizontal),
while premium lumber, including siding will be edge grained (vertical). Edge grain lumber
has better "paintability". If the decking was not coated on all six sides, which
would greatly help to stabilize the dimension of the lumber through reduced moisture
intrusion, the moisture content of the lumber may fluctuate between 12% and 20+%. Also,
when pressure-treated lumber is improperly positioned with the crown of the growth rings
of the wood facing down versus the proper installation with the crown of the growth rings
facing up (i.e., with the ring orientation viewed from one end of the lumber, you should
see the half circle wood rings with the round side on top). Improperly positioned decking
lumber will have a greater tendency for moisture absorption and hence a greater
opportunity for warping. |
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| You
should certainly protect your deck from unnecessary moisture intrusion and the harmful
effects of the sun's ultra-violet rays. Use of a penetrating stain, containing water
repellant ingredients in most cases will protect your deck best. You may also consider
using a clear water repellant, but this will need more frequent maintenance. The pigment
in the stain will absorb the ultra-violet rays from the sun and protect the wood fibers
from degradation. In most cases a stain will need maintenance every 2-4 years while the
clear sealers require maintenance every 1-2 years. Prior to
finishing the deck it is important to wash the deck thoroughly to remove dead wood fibers,
dirt, and any mildew spores. It is important to note that inactive mildew spores can be
present and not be visible, but still should be treated.
One final note, if you plan on cleaning your deck with a pressure
washer take caution not to use excessive pressure or spray at an improper angle. Improper
use can severely damage your deck and cost you much more than you saved by undertaking the
project yourself. Take the worry out of this type of project and hire the professional
contractor. |
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| There is an old
saying "You only get what you pay for." This is especially true for paint.
Discuss what you want the paint to do with your professional installer or your paint
store, to determine the best product for your needs. Remember that the paint is only a
small part of the job. It is always the best decision to use the best products. |
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| Yes, absolutely. While it is
understood that people are cautious and confused about the logic in doing so there is no
reason to hesitate. These products are often sold with the understanding that they are
maintenance free. Nothing is further from the truth. These products do require regular
maintenance that is more often than not never performed because the homeowner believes
that they require no maintenance.Washing periodically is needed to remove dirt and
oxidation just like your automobile and when this is not done, repainting or replacement
will eventually be needed. Obviously repainting is by far the most feasible alternative.
So with that said, how do you paint it ? and how long will it last ? Read the article on
" Repainting Aluminum And
Vinyl Siding " in our library. |
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| We always
recommend waiting two weeks before allowing any cleaning agents to come in contact with
the new paint. Paint dries in a matter of a few hours but all paint goes through a
curing process which takes longer. |
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| Tough question!
Like our bodies no two houses are perfectly alike. There are many factors that will
contribute to the life of a paint job. (Daily sun exposures, amount of shrubbery, moisture
presence, soffit and gable venting, etc.) But as a general rule a new paint job in our
climate should last anywhere from 4-6 years. But this is a general rule. There are
just too many differing factors to list here. |
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- What
happens if I contract with someone who is not properly insured and one of their
workers later claims to have gotten hurt while working on my home?
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| You as the
homeowner can be held personally responsible for injures sustained by an uninsured worker
while they are on your property. You can be in a very awkward position with your own
insurance company as a result of this type of accident. Most people do not realize this,
but it can be verified by a phone call to your attorney or insurance agent. Always ask for
verification of insurance if you have any doubt. And remember a companies general
liability insurance is not the same as workers compensation ! |
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| Painting like
everything else is expensive. We realize that. In the last 20 years, what we have to pay
out in labor has tripled. The cost of paint has increased about $10.00 per gallon.
Insurance for a business is astronomical. So you are absolutely right,. It is expensive.
But not when you look at the cost of painting compared to carpeting, fabric, wallpaper
etc. at about $25.00 TO $50.00 per square foot compared to painting at about $1.00 To
$2.00 per square foot, it doesn't seem to bad. To read about the true cost of painting,
look in our library at "The True Cost Of Painting." |
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| Leftover paints and other hazardous
waste must be disposed of properly. We have directions for doing so in our library.
Click here to go to the Hazardous Waste Disposal Page. |
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If your question
is not answered here. You may search our site or read information in the painting library.
If you are unable to locate what you need, contact
us by phone, mail or e-mail, and we would be happy to assist you. |
Search Site
Library |
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Return To Exterior Painting Page |
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 Interior Painting - Commonly Asked Questions
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Go To Interior Painting Page |
