Commercial Painters Pleasanton: Best and Worst Office Colors

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Every new season is the best way to refresh and renew our outlook in life. As for companies and commercial establishments, it’s also the best time to reset their goals and their vision, and to give their businesses a whole new branding.

Of course, along with the renewed goals and the vision, companies should not forget the more physical aspects of their business: that is, to give their establishments a refreshed look, from exteriors to interiors. Even just a fresh coat of paint will go a long way. If you are not too sure what kind of paint color should be right for your business, you can always consult commercial painters in Pleasanton and they will give you the best suggestions about the right paint colors.

It may sound trivial to say that the color of your office can affect the mood of your employees and clients, as well as your professional behavior and relationships with them. But it’s true – the colors painted on your office will greatly affect your mood. Choosing colors is as important as choosing   comfortable and ergonomically designed workspace furniture, tools, fixtures, etc. Companies know all too well that their employees’ mood and behavior can significantly affect the direction of their business. The right color palette will help employees focus more on their work and become more productive.

Businesses can choose colors which what they seem to them as appropriate. However, below is a general guide of the colors that you should use – and you should not use – for the office.

The best colors:

1) White, off-white or beige – Neutrals are often the best and safest bets for office painting. You cannot go terribly wrong with white, off-white or beige, as you can match this color with accent colors or the right kind of furniture. White, off-white or beige is economical as well. It is the best color to use for smaller office spaces, as it gives a bright enough look and the illusion of a bigger space.

2) Gray – Gray is another neutral color. You may be surprised to learn that gray is a good color, if you use the right shades. It’s not really a dull choice for an office color as many people perceive it to be. Gray is a soothing color that will help you ease down your stress, especially when things get really tense around the workspace. Plus, depending on the shade, gray is a versatile and easy-to-work color. It can be matched with other colors like brown, white, red, purple, green, etc.

3) Red – The color of passion and energy, red is believed to bring increased blood pressure and heart rate. Thus, if you are feeling groggy as you come to the office, some hits of red will help you to get yourself awake and energized. Red can also whet your appetite and stimulate closer communication and collaboration. However – except when used at fast-food establishments and restaurants – too much of red can also trigger negative emotions such as anger and anxiety, so it’s best to use it for an accent wall.

4) Brown – Brown is a calming and reassuring color, no matter what shade. But unlike blue and green, which engender a peaceful, tranquil or even a soporific effect. Instead, brown brings out an impression of confidence, credibility and security.

The worst colors:

1) Pink – Pink is the perfect choice for your little girl’s bedroom. But it’s definitely a no-no for the office space. Bright and vivid pink is too bold and too stimulating to the eyes that it can distract you from finishing your all-important deadlines. It’s best reserved for little office accents.

2) Yellow – Yellow has that image of being a happy and cheerful color. It’s the color of sunshine, sunflowers and lemonade. It can help boost people’s mood and inspire creativity. However, yellow is not the best bet to paint for your business, especially the entire office interiors. Just like pink, yellow is too bold, too stimulating and too distracting. It can even trigger intensely negative feelings such as frustration, anxiety and anger. It’s okay if you use yellow as an accent color. If you had to paint your office with yellow, the best way is to use white or softer shades of green, purple or blue to complement it.

3) Turquoise, bright green and bright red – At first, these colors may be attractive to the eyes. But imagine staring at these colors for long periods of time, and you may eventually feel irritable, uncomfortable or dizzy. These colors are also too distracting which prevents you from focusing on your job. Avoid using any of these colors on all four walls of your office.

While preferences also matter, you still have to consider the effect that color can have on office employees. That’s why the right colors for the office do matter, as they can encourage an atmosphere of energy, positive vibe, creativity, productivity, good business relationships and interaction – and when these things come together, they will make any business successful.

However, it’s also important to know that relaxation matters a lot. Choosing colors that are meant to recharge and re-focus one’s priorities are also great for some office spaces, especially when employees are going through a stressful workday or experiencing burnout.

Hiring commercial painters in Pleasanton is the best option because they have the experience and the expertise regarding the best colors and color combinations for any commercial spaces.

Are All Commercial Painters in Pleasanton the Same?

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You don’t have to look hard for commercial painters in Pleasanton and nearby. Nowadays, they’re just a call away, and they will be right there to serve you.

Like in many businesses, commercial painting companies do many sorts of ways to attract clients. It’s obvious that not all commercial painting services in the area the same exactly. They offer a different line of services, the paints and the tools they use, the rates they charge, the estimates, contracts and the warranties they offer, as well as the number of workers, scheduling, payment options, as well as discounted rates, etc., among all other things.

So, the thing that you should do is to hire the best contractor that you could possibly find. Doing a bit of research will ensure that you will be able to get the best contractor to work for your commercial property:

1. The first thing that most people do nowadays whenever they are looking for painting companies is to look for them on the Internet. The first place that they go to is to look at their websites and browse anything in it – history, vision, services as well as customer reviews.

If you would also like to know whether a company is notorious for receiving several complaints from customers, check out the Better Business Bureau website and enter the name of the contractors you’re considering to hire.

2. Ask friends, neighbors or any of your colleagues around who also happen to operate a business establishment. They may recommend you to the commercial painter that they have worked with in the past. They would even invite you to their property so that you could inspect the latest work by the painting contractor.

3. When you finally have a short list of contractors (at least three) – invite them over to check your property what needs to be painted or repaired. Then they will give you estimates. You should also consider the other points that you are looking for a contractor – their professional behavior, skills, efficiency, punctuality, good communication and relations with the contractors, even the uniforms they’re wearing. If a certain candidate has all these positive attributes, then you should consider hiring them.

4. You may have a lot of things going on in your mind, but do not forget to ask them the most important questions, like:
– Is your company licensed?
– Is your company insured?
– How long have you been in the industry?
– Do you subcontract, or do you have your own workers? (people generally prefer a contractor who employs its own workers)
– Are you affiliate to any commercial painting affiliations?
– Am I going to worry about the workers who will come to my property?

If the candidates are able to answer your questions satisfactorily, then you’re a few steps away from hiring that contractor. After that, you will be able to proceed to other things such as a contract and a warranty. It is important to read thoroughly what’s in the contract and in the warranty. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask your contractor.

A contract provided by your painting contractor typically includes the cost of the materials and the labor, the timeline, the type of paints, supplies, and other services, as well as payment options.

A warranty, on the other hand, usually contains the things that a painter usually covers. If a paint failure appears soon after the work has been done, for instance, it’s usually the result of a poor workmanship. The company will provide labors and materials to correct the paint issues at little or no cost. But a warranty may exclude other things such as incidental damages, moisture, cracks, etc., which the contractor will not cover.

Since commercial painting companies in Pleasanton differ, you have to start doing a thorough research and investigation, so that you will hire the ideal contractor who will be able to meet your needs (as well as your budget).

House Painting Pleasanton – How Long Does Exterior Painting Take?

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Most of us want to see certain things done quickly, including house painting Pleasanton.  So, we couldn’t help asking: “how long will it take?” or “how long will it take to finish?”

In exterior painting, we are all hoping for good weather conditions to enable painting outside the house. But it’s not always the case. There are other factors that come into play such as the number of coatings, the size of the house, the size of the painting crew, the type of surface to be painted, and a lot more. These things can cause the topcoat to take a lot more time to dry than we’ve hoped.

The following are some reasons why exterior house painting may take a while and why there may be some delays to your job:

  1. The weather– The weather – especially bad weather – is always the top reason why there are delays to most of our painting jobs. When the weather is wet, you cannot go out to paint the exterior. If you do try to paint while it’s still raining, the moisture could delay the proper drying of paint. This could result in unsightly overlap marks and water streaks, and they’re not the results you want to see in your home’s exterior.It’s always better to wait out until the rain stops and the weather becomes better. It’s also important to check whether the surface becomes perfectly dry again to be painted. Even a whit of leftover moisture should not remain on the surface; otherwise, it could ruin your entire paint job.
  2. Temperature and humidity – Both the temperature and humidity also play a big role to the paint’s drying speed. While drying time depends on the paints you use (latex or oil-based), the general rule of thumb is that latex paints are applied when temperatures go between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and oil paints in temperatures between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.Painting under too hot or too cold temperatures can ruin your paint job. It may not dry or bind properly to the surface, which can lead to cracking, peeling or blistering. And of course, the surface problems mean that you have to start painting all over again, which takes additional time.

    It is always better to paint during late in the summer season or in early autumn, where the extreme changes in temperature during the day are low.

    The optimum degree of humidity – the amount of moisture in the air – should play around 40% to 70%. It’s always better to paint when humidity is low. Higher humidity can lead to the slower drying time of the topcoat. Plus, other things like dust and soot can stick to the wet surface, and you don’t want a dirty paint finish. Both water- and oil-based paints are prone to such problems when they’re exposed to high humidity.

  3. The size and condition of the house – It goes without saying that the bigger the house is, the longer the job takes to finish.Another factor is the condition of the house. If your home’s exterior doesn’t have a lot of serious surface problems, then the preparation and painting would be relatively easier and faster. But if your exterior has acquired any sorts of surface issues like peeling, flaking, molds and mildew, rust marks, etc., then the prep work and painting shall take a lot longer.
  4. Hampering the work in progress – If you’re the nosy type who likes to check and double-check on how the painting job is going, you’d most likely follow the workmen around and scrutinize their every move to see if they’re doing their job right. Your kids and pets may follow you all the way to the work area and may run around the work site. Not only it will be annoying and distracting, it can also be dangerous as it can lead to accidents – especially when there are solvents or high ladders around, for instance. If that happens, the job may take longer than expected.It’s better to leave the workers to do their job first. When their break comes, discuss with them about the progress of their work.

    Also, make sure that any obstruction (rocks and stones, overgrown bushes, a garden hose that’s strewn across the lawn, etc.) is out of the way before the workers arrive. If you plan to cut on painting costs, you may also do the cleaning and prep the surfaces by yourself. This will also reduce the task on the part of the painting crew, speeding up the job in the process.

  5. Lack of communication – The project of exterior painting may get hindered by the lack of good communication between the workers and the homeowners.As a homeowner, you are the one who knows what you want for your house to be painted. It is important that you should discuss this with your contractor to avoid disputes in the future. Better, provide the contractor your own list of specified work (such as the number of preferred coatings, inclusion or omission of primer, or areas that you want or don’t want to have them painted) that you’d like to be done so that they would have an idea on what you would have wanted the space to look like when it’s done.

    If contractors find something that’s beyond repair or potentially harmful (like lead in old paint), they inform the homeowners that there is no other alternative than to have them removed or replaced. They may sometimes discuss their suggestions to the homeowners and together they try to reach an agreement or compromise.

There are a lot of reasons that can hamper exterior house painting Pleasanton from getting finished within the defined time frame. While there are factors that are beyond our control such as the weather, there are other things that can be managed and this will help to speed up the painting job as desired.

5 Reasons to Consider House Painting in Pleasanton

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House painting in Pleasanton is beneficial in a lot of ways. Our homes give us protection and privacy, so they only deserve the best care, including the best paints. Here are the five reasons why you should consider painting your home:

1. To increase resale value
When you plan to move out and sell your home, it’s always better to re-paint it. Giving your home a fresh coat of paint will give you a better chance that your house will be sold more quickly. A freshly re-painted home with a well-placed and attractive color scheme will also easily nose out the competition. Even just painting the door, window frames, and trim can help boost your home’s resale price and attract potential buyers.

2. To improve the condition of your home
If your house is all worn-out, that’s a good opportunity to repair the surface and re-paint it. When your house has been standing for a long time (and hasn’t seen a paintbrush in many years), it has taken a lot of beating from many factors like weather conditions (moisture, too much or prolonged sun exposure and humidity, for some) and some impact. These things have led to many surface issues like fading paint, peeling or flaking paint, blistering paint, alligatoring, mold and mildew, chalking, and a lot more.

What’s good about re-painting your home is that it allows you to see the problem first, and then repair the affected surface. Always remember that preparation of the surface will bring back most of its old appearance and quality.

3. To increase your home’s curb appeal
Sometimes, we need to change the outside appearance of our home once in a while by making it look brand-new again. It just feels gratifying to see a new color and refreshed look in our abode. A newly re-painted home looks also inviting to guests as well.

4. To improve air quality
Re-painting your home regularly and using a good quality paint will help improve your home’s indoor air quality. It will help minimize dust, dirt, and other air pollutants. Re-painting your home also discourages the growth of mold and mildew (whose spores can be carried by air when disturbed).

If you or other members of the family are especially sensitive and suffer from respiratory conditions (such as asthma), you may want to forget using conventional paints and instead buy “green” or eco-friendly paints. These paints are all-natural and use ingredients like milk, clay, and even citrus fruits. Since these green paints have zero VOC levels, they emit no harmful chemical vapors.

5. To renovate your home in more affordable way
If you want to renovate your home but you don’t have a big budget for that, a fresh coat of paint and a new color scheme can dramatically transform your drab-looking home into an attractive and engaging space.

No matter which of the reasons you should choose, house painting in Pleasanton is always a good idea! You may go the DIY way or, better yet, choose to hire a professional contractor like Custom Painting, Inc. if you desire a smooth and flawless paint finish.

Saving Money When Exterior House Painting in Pleasanton

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House painting in Pleasanton can be a costly thing to do. While one day you may do necessary upkeep of your home’s exterior, there some ways to cut back the expense without sacrificing the quality work that is done.

Maintaining your home’s exterior — which also includes painting and repairs — is a key to maintain the high value of your home’s property as well as to reduce future expenses. The fewer issues that your home’s exterior has to be repaired before starting on your paint, the less you will spend on preparing the surfaces.

A lot of homeowners choose to have the professionals do the work of exterior house painting in Pleasanton. For the budget-conscious homeowner however, this may not be a feasible option — but this may be possible if you discuss the matter with a professional painting contractor and make arrangements regarding the job to be taken. For instance, you may have to split the tasks between the two of you — you doing the prep work and the contractor doing the painting part. This will save the contractor time and you money. The paint contractor, as well as you the homeowner, will want such any agreement to be expressed in writing, because that paper will serve as protection for the both of you. However, it is likely that the contractor will not give any warranty since he will not be doing all the work himself. So it’s important that you discuss this matter with your contractor before arriving at the final decision.

Now that you and your contractor may have reached an agreement, you should know how the prep work on the surface should be done. It usually includes washing the surface, getting rid of mold and mildew, removing dirt, grease and grime, scrapping old peeling paint, repairing damage (if any), filling any gaps with caulk, and sanding.

But if you have decided to do the entire project by yourself, you will definitely save money. You will want all the surfaces to be prepped properly. Buy only good quality paints that your budget can afford, as the quality of the paint has much to do with the “finished product.” If you choose to buy cheaper paints, you may save a lot more money at the beginning of the project — but you should be aware that cheaper paints also mean cheaper and inferior quality. If you use cheaper paints, it is highly likely that you won’t be satisfied with the end result — colors fading, thin coating, etc. — considering the hours and the labor you’ve spent on the job. Buying premium quality paints may not be cheap, but at least it will last for more years before you will be required to paint again. This means that the price of buying expensive paints will be lower in the long run.

To make the paint last even longer, you will also want to use a good-quality primer. A primer is a preparatory coat which applied on prepped surfaces. This will help the paint adhere better to the surface and thus will give it an even result. It will also help reduce the number of coats of paint necessary to achieve the desired color and finish. These are just a few of the many ways you may be able to save money when doing exterior house painting in Pleasanton.

House Painting Pleasanton What to Do About Blistering Paint

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One of the things that no one wants to encounter while house painting in Pleasanton is blistering paint on the exterior walls. Knowing what factors cause paint to blister is a vital part of discovering solutions on how to prevent it from happening again.

A blister refers to a paint problem where the top layer of paint raises above the layer beneath it. Have you seen these “bubbles” on the surface? Those are blistering paints. Unfortunately, there is no way for us to predict when the blistering will happen but there are ways to make it less likely to happen.

Moisture is the number one cause of blistering paint. Did you paint the exterior walls while it’s a bit rainy? Did the paint dry properly? Was the surface still wet as you started to paint it? Any of these may be the source of moisture which causes blistering paint. So the key solution to avoiding possibility of blistering paint is a thoroughly dry surface. It is important to make sure that all areas are completely dry before applying paint. Some areas like the basement and bathroom tend to be quite humid. If you’re painting in these areas, it’s important that you should take careful steps that will remove as much moisture from the area while you’re painting.

Mixing different paints types is another culprit of blistering paint, particularly on the exterior walls. For instance, the current paint on the walls is oil-based and you’re trying to coat a latex paint over it. Since heat leads to expansion and oil and latex respond to it differently, the blistering or bubbling occurs. It’s better to apply an a new coat of oil-based paint over a surface already painted with an oil-based paint, and a new latex paint over a surface already coated with a latex paint.

When you paint layers rather quickly, you may be encountering problems with heat which will cause the paint to bubble. The top layer may be dried before the lower layer, which will lead to solvents turning into vapors beneath the top layer. This results into blistering paint.

Dirt is also one of the common causes of blistering paint. When you apply paint on a dirty surface, the paint will change as it dries. It will shrivel just enough that areas that aren’t painted properly due to dirt will pull up off the surface below.

When you discover that the exterior walls have blistered paint, first scrape off the affected areas, and then sand. Make sure the surface is completely dried before painting. If blistering paint still reappears, inspect behind the wall (inside the room or the basement) to make sure that there isn’t a moisture problems that causes blistering.

These solutions may not be the sure-fire ways to prevent blistering paint in when house painting in Pleasanton, but they are a beginning place. At least knowing what causes it will give you an idea on how to avoid them as best as you can.

House Painting Pleasanton – Choosing Mixed Colors

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Choosing colors for house painting in Pleasanton may be the most fun part of painting, but it doesn’t mean it’s less complicated. It’s no wonder, as there are a number of paint manufacturers offering a gazillion colors and shades, some of them with curious names. When you’re offered color chips to review and still can’t decide which the perfect shade is for your room, it’s suggested that you choose a custom mixed color that will match your belongings.

In order to attain custom mixed colors for your room, you have two ways to do it. One way is to mix the paint on your own. Buy a shade that is close to the color of your preference. Then start experimenting by lightening, darkening or deepening, or including undertones by adding paints of a different color. Another way is to take a sample of the color you want to the professional paint store or other related businesses in Pleasanton. They will take care of matching your sample with the help of computer technology. Of the two options, the latter is the easier way as the professionals will be the ones to match your samples with other colors via modern technology.

However, obtaining a sample may be difficult if the only sample you know of is on your walls (especially when they’re painted with the same color). It is suggested that you take pictures of your wall in varying light set-ups, and then print these pictures out. Once your paper is available make a good match with the walls then you’re good to go. The other way to obtain a sample is to cut a piece from your wall (preferably from an inconspicuous area of your room such as behind the switch plates) and bring it to the paint store. A 1″x2″ sample will do. If you are unable to find a larger section there, the other alternative is to find a secluded corner of your room and cut out a small piece, and then have the drywall repaired.

You can do the mixing and matching by yourself. It may be more difficult, but the good side of this is that you can also have fun in doing it. It will also give you a decent excuse to enjoy your creative side. This is the option you may want to take if the ideal color exists only in your imagination. Having a color wheel handy will be greatly helpful. During the course of your project you may also want to paint a sample piece of drywall which can be taken to the paint store to do computer color matching.

For the base shade, pick a couple of shades of the same color you prefer. Make sure that you get enough for your project, especially if you have to do some touchups. If your ideal shade is darker, slowly pour just a little black or gray paint into your base paint. A little bit of black will quickly make a recognizable difference in color. Slowly stir until it is well combined. If you prefer a lighter shade, you might gray instead of black.

To lighten your base shade, add white. But unlike adding dark or gray, you may need a lot of white paint to make a noticeable change in color. It is also ok if you have white as a base and then add the color you want to have lightened.

Other options for achieving custom colors are to add in more of one of its base colors. For instance, to make a dull gray more brilliant, choose a bright yellow to add to it. Or if you want to tone down the intensity of a color, add a paint of a complementary color (one of the colors that are opposite of it on the color wheel. Incorporate darker yellows for a warmer tone, or blue colors to achieve a cooler tone. Changing the hue, however, is a bit tricky, so begin by just having a base color that is already close to your preferred hue.

Custom mixed colors for house painting in Pleasanton may be a bit mind-boggling for sure, but it can also be fun and bring out your creative side. In the end you will achieve the colors you want for your space.

House Painting in Pleasanton: Using Software to Find the Perfect Color

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Picking a paint color can be a difficult thing to do when doing house painting in Pleasanton. You are not sure whether you will make the right decision or make a mistake. Sometimes, you realize you have chosen the wrong color once it’s painted on the walls. You may repaint the walls, but it may take more money, effort, and time just to correct the errors.

Today, however, technology makes selecting paint colors as easy as pie. Online software and applications for mobile devices enable you to see what your home would look like different colors. This will help you make the right choice before you buy paint. Most digital software is free to use.

1. CBN Selector (cbnsystem.com/home/cbn-selector/)
This software allows you to visualize thousands of colors on a number of surfaces, including textured surfaces like stucco. After you’ve picked a paint color, you’ll have a precise “Colors By Numbers” code to help you get the exact color from your local paint seller. The software has a calibration tool to help you see real digital shades. While the trial is free, you may also buy a one-year license which will enable you to use it as often as you like.

2. Colorjive (colorjive.com/home.action)
You can upload a photo of your home in this digital software, and then try various colors to find the color you like best. You can also try different shades while experimenting on the pictures. You can save up to three color options for your home. It is a great tool that is free and simple to use.

3. Benjamin Moore Personal Color Viewer (benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/personal-color-viewer)
This color preview software from Benjamin Moore allows you to try several samples to see how your home would look with different colors. You may try both interior and exterior changes, and even change the color of your roof. Registration is free, and there’s also an app that’s downloadable to your desktop PC.

4. Valspar’s Virtual Painter (valsparpaint.com/en/explore-colors/painter/)
This free software lets you upload pictures of your house, and try different colors and shades offered by Valspar. Valspar’s products are available at Lowe’s home improvement stores.

5. Sherwin-Williams Painting Images Color Simulator (sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/color/)
This software from Sherwin-Williams allows you to select a picture which closely resembles the style of your own home. Next, choose any color from Sherwin-Williams’ own palette and experiment with color combinations.

6. Better Homes and Gardens Color-A-Home (bhg.com/home-improvement/exteriors/curb-appeal/welcome-to-color-a-home/)
This free color visualizing tool lets you explore a variety of color combinations on different styles of homes using the specialized tools they provide.

These great software options help you to visualize what your home would look like with different colors without having to spend money on painting, all with a few simple clicks. They also provide you opportunity to experiment other color possibilities. The color visualizing software can help you choose the paint that meets your budget and your preferences for house painting in Pleasanton.

Achieve Exterior Painting Success When House Painting in Pleasanton

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House painting in Pleasanton is the best way to enhance the exterior of your home. To achieve exterior painting success, follow these suggestions.

1. Clean the entire exterior of your home. For areas that have mold and mildew, you may want to scrub the areas for more exhaustive cleaning. To clean the uppermost part of the house, you may use a pressure washer, which will also speed up the cleaning process. Using a power washer will also get you a cleaner, better-looking surface.

To kill mold and mildew that you see on your exterior walls, combine bleach and TSP (trisodium phosphate). Be sure to follow the instructions on the TSP package. This mixture will also prevent the growth of mold and mildew in the future. It can take some time doing this step to make sure that all the dust, dirt, mold and mildew, grease, and grime are removed. After all the cleaning and washing, let the surface dry completely, especially if the underlying material is made of wood because it may have absorbed some of the water.

2. When you see that the paint is peeling, be sure to scrape or sand the surface to remove the loose paint. This is a very important step because new paint will not adhere to the surface properly and will peel off along with the old paint. The process of scraping and sanding roughs up the surface a bit which enables the paint to adhere better, and last longer. Sure, it will take time to scrape and sand the surface, but the results will be worth it.

After sanding, take the extra step to remove the dust and residues, even if it means washing the surfaces all over again, as well as letting them completely dry.

3. If you find any flaws such as cracks, holes, and edges, repair them with caulk. Inspect window and door frames and edges where cracks may be present but not easily noticeable. Repair and caulk these flaws completely. Smoothen the applied caulk and let them dry. Depending on the type of caulk, they should be sanded before painting the surface. Read and follow the instructions on the caulk tube.

4. Use two types of masks. One is a face mask that will protect your nose, eyes, mouth and lungs from dust and debris while prepping the walls. Another type of mask you will want to use is the masking tape to cover the windows, trim, and other areas where you do not want paint.

5. While priming is not really necessary, it is recommended in order to achieve a successful exterior painting. Priming helps the top coat of paint to adhere better, as well as last longer. You can also use priming to transition between colors of the exterior. Use only good quality primer to achieve the best results.

Following these important tips is a foolproof way to achieve successful exterior painting. Of course, a professional painting contractor will provide an excellent exterior paint finish that means you will not need to do the actual house painting in Pleasanton.

How to Handle Lead Paint When House Painting in Pleasanton

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If you are house painting in Pleasanton, lead-based paints are something that you may not think about very often. However, if your current home was built during the 1960s or 1970s, chances are your paint may have lead in it. As recent scientific studies prove, the effect of lead poisoning, especially in young children, women who are pregnant, and the elderly can be deadly. Experts strongly recommend the removal of lead-based paint from all homes.

While many homeowners think that they can remove lead-based paint, it’s best if they hand this work over to the professionals. It’s true that there are many methods which homeowners can remove the effects of lead-based paint. However, if homeowners lack understanding about the hazards of removing lead-based paints, it could put themselves, as well as their families, at risk to lead exposure.

Before you start your house painting in Pleasanton, make sure you know when your house was built. For homes built prior to 1978, you will want to first test the painted surfaces for possible lead. Lead-testing kits are available and can be purchased at many home improvement stores. Some larger department stores also have them. It is important that you should do this test especially if you find chipped or peeling old paint on your walls. Most lead-testing kits can be used for any surface and will provide immediate and accurate results.

Once you confirmed that the surfaces are indeed tested positive for lead, you will want to confirm with a laboratory analysis. This is to verify the levels of lead concentration on each tested surface. To ensure your children’s health and safety, you will also want them to test them for lead. You may take your children to their regular doctors, or to the local health department, to have them screened for lead poisoning.

There a few ways to get rid of lead from your home. One option is to hire a lead contractor that is licensed for removal. However, this is so expensive – hiring one will cost you between $8 and $15 per square foot. So this means, for a house that is average size, you will end up paying about $10,000 for the lead contractor to remove it from your home.

If your financial status deemed impossible to hire the services of a contractor, you can deal with lead in your home by following these tips:

1. Apply an encapsulant over lead-painted surfaces. Along with properly following the label’s instructions, this encapsulant will create a lasting bond with any lead paint that will keep it from chipping or peeling. This special encapsulant costs about $35 per gallon. You can expect to pay $1,000 to encapsulate an average-sized house, and this does not include labor costs. At least, this is cheaper than hiring a lead contractor.

2. You may also have to remove items painted with lead-based paint. This is easier than removing the lead-based paint from items such as windows, doors, and woodwork trim.

3. However, if you are trying to replace the entire wall which is coated with a lead-based paint, it would impractical and too costly. Instead, try to enclose or cover the surfaces that are painted with lead-based paints. You may want to cover the walls with paneling, wallpaper, or sheet rock.

4. The US Environmental Protection Agency has a publication entitled “Steps to Lead Safe Prevention, Repair, and Painting” which will help you better understand in dealing with lead and lead-based paints. The EPA website also has guidelines in proper disposal of lead, which is crucial. You can find it in their website: http://www.epa.gov/

5. Unless it’s necessary to get rid of lead-based paint because you have small children at home, you don’t have to do anything. Paint that is not chipped or peeling can be left as is if you don’t have to do anything urgent. However, if you plan on reselling your home, it’s important to disclose the lead-based paint for potential buyers.

You may also want to contact painting contractors in Pleasanton when you plan to paint. Most painters are knowledgeable about testing homes for lead and can provide advice for the best way to deal with lead in your home when house painting in Pleasanton.

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