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Preparing Your Home for Hurricane Season

Preparing Your Home for Hurricane Season

Whether you’re a Florida native, semi-native or newbie, hurricane season (June 1 through Nov. 30) affects us all. But even though you may have ridden out your share of named storms, it always helps to review the basics of getting your home ready to prevent or minimize damage. Keep in mind that your area doesn’t need to take a direct hit to experience destructive winds and flooding rains. No one can afford to be complacent about taking preventive measures that will help you weather the storms this – and every – hurricane season!

For those who have recently become residents, we’ll provide some Hurricane 101 basics. First, a hurricane is a rotating low-pressure system with sustained winds of 74 mph. Unfortunately, that’s just the minimum wind speed. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane’s sustained wind speed. When you hear a hurricane described as a category 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 storm, this is what it means.

A tropical storm has sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph. It may or may not develop into a hurricane, but can also cause property damage and flooding to low-lying areas.

Hurricane terms you need to know

Again, newcomers to the Sunshine State may not be familiar with hurricane terminology. Because each has a specific meaning – and an alert for the level of preparedness you need to be at – we’re including this State of Florida reference list.

Tropical Storm Watch: Tropical storm conditions are possible in the area.

Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions are possible in the area.

Watches are issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm force winds.

Tropical Storm Warning: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the area.

Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected in the area.

Warnings are issued 36 hours in advance of tropical storm force winds.

Eye: Clear, sometimes well-defined center of the storm with calmer conditions.

Eye Wall: Surrounding the eye, contains some of the most severe weather of the storm with the highest wind speed and largest precipitation.

Rain Bands: Bands coming off the cyclone that produce severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, wind and tornadoes.

Storm Surge: An often underestimated and deadly result of ocean water swelling as a result of a landfalling storm, and quickly flooding coastal and sometimes areas further inland.

Preparing your home for the worst

Although hurricane season starts on June 1, the most heavy hurricane activity is during the months of August and September. This means you have an opportunity to tackle the more intensive preparation projects. However, this also is the time of year for almost daily afternoon thunderstorms, so do any necessary shoring up now!

Our blog post – “Hurricane Season is Here! Are You Ready?” – covers such topics as a hurricane safety checklist, and common mistakes that Florida homeowners make. For example, don’t “X” your windows with tape. Contrary to popular belief, it won’t prevent the glass from shattering. Instead, it will create larger, potentially deadly pieces. Ditto for opening windows/doors during the storm to “equalize pressure.” Keep ALL openings into your house securely shut.

The “to-do” list:

  • Prune weak, rotting or dead tree branches and remove low-hanging ones near the house (or have a professional do the job).
  • Check tree roots for signs of rotting and remove any rotten or diseased trees or shrubs (ditto).
  • Clean rain gutters – leaves, branches and other debris can cause overflow, which can damage your siding and/or roof. Again, as with the two tasks above, hire a pro if necessary. NEVER attempt a property maintenance or improvement job that you don’t have the experience, ability or equipment to perform safely.
  • Check the caulking around doors and windows. Good caulking is the first line of defense against the water intrusion that can occur during the prolonged driving rains of a hurricane or lingering tropical storm. Water that seeps into past-its-prime caulking also can, over time, damage door and window frames. If you need to recaulk, silicone or urethane lasts the longest and holds up the best. Elastomeric latex caulk is another good choice, as it also is durable and can be painted.
  • Remove or secure loose/lightweight objects in your yard, as they can become projectiles and damage your property. Move potted plants, garbage cans, garden ornaments, tools and hanging baskets inside a garage or shed. Move containers too large to bring indoors to a protected area and cluster together, as well as large potted trees and plants; place trees/plants in the pot sideways.

Making your roof more resistant to wind damage

It was only after category 5 hurricane Andrew leveled much of South Florida in 1992 that the state adopted a revised statewide building code that – among other upgrades – required stronger hurricane straps and clips for residential structures. Older homes are less likely to have this level of protection. If you don’t know if your roof truss reinforcements are up to code, hire a professional to perform an inspection.

You may want to hire a professional roofer to inspect your roof for loose shingles, worn seams, etc., and make necessary repairs.

Trust the pros to choose the best paint for your home

Hurricanes are only part of the overall challenges of maintaining a Florida house. Our state’s climate extremes also include relentless summer sun, intense heat and high humidity levels. A good exterior paint job will help protect your home from the elements while enhancing its curb appeal.

As we covered in our blog post – “Mistakes to Avoid When Painting Your Home” – typical Florida houses fall into the following types: concrete block, wood siding, aluminum siding or stucco – which, in this state, tends to be stucco applied over concrete block.

For the best results for most exterior surfaces, industry professionals recommend 100% acrylic latex exterior paint. According to The Money Pit, “These paints have superior adhesion, so they’ll ‘grab’ tightly onto a properly prepared surface. They also are very flexible, which permits them to expand and contract with the surface below in extreme cold or heat. Down the road, these qualities help prevent many common exterior paint failures like peeling and flaking.”

Acrylic latex paints are easy to apply by brush, and contain special additives that can prevent mildew growth. Although acrylic latex paint has a higher cost, it combines paint and primer, and can last 10 years or longer.

Being prepared for hurricane season can help you feel more confident, knowing you’ve taken every step to make your home safe and secure. If you need help getting ready, The Paint Manager has served Central Florida since 2000 with quality professional residential and commercial painting services.

Visit our website to learn about many other services we provide – including pressure washing, roof cleaning and stump removal. Become a member of The Paint Manager to receive a 15% year-‘round member’s discount. Contact us to learn more about our services and membership discount offer.

 

Preparing Your Home for Hurricane Season

Preparing Your Home for Hurricane Season

Whether you’re a Florida native, semi-native or newbie, hurricane season (June 1 through Nov. 30) affects us all. But even though you may have ridden out your share of named storms, it always helps to review the basics of getting your home ready to prevent or minimize damage. Keep in mind that your area doesn’t need to take a direct hit to experience destructive winds and flooding rains. No one can afford to be complacent about taking preventive measures that will help you weather the storms this – and every – hurricane season!

For those who have recently become residents, we’ll provide some Hurricane 101 basics. First, a hurricane is a rotating low-pressure system with sustained winds of 74 mph. Unfortunately, that’s just the minimum wind speed. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane’s sustained wind speed. When you hear a hurricane described as a category 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 storm, this is what it means.

A tropical storm has sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph. It may or may not develop into a hurricane, but can also cause property damage and flooding to low-lying areas.

Hurricane terms you need to know

Again, newcomers to the Sunshine State may not be familiar with hurricane terminology. Because each has a specific meaning – and an alert for the level of preparedness you need to be at – we’re including this State of Florida reference list.

Tropical Storm Watch: Tropical storm conditions are possible in the area.

Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions are possible in the area.

Watches are issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm force winds.

Tropical Storm Warning: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the area.

Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected in the area.

Warnings are issued 36 hours in advance of tropical storm force winds.

Eye: Clear, sometimes well-defined center of the storm with calmer conditions.

Eye Wall: Surrounding the eye, contains some of the most severe weather of the storm with the highest wind speed and largest precipitation.

Rain Bands: Bands coming off the cyclone that produce severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, wind and tornadoes.

Storm Surge: An often underestimated and deadly result of ocean water swelling as a result of a landfalling storm, and quickly flooding coastal and sometimes areas further inland.

Preparing your home for the worst

Although hurricane season starts on June 1, the most heavy hurricane activity is during the months of August and September. This means you have an opportunity to tackle the more intensive preparation projects. However, this also is the time of year for almost daily afternoon thunderstorms, so do any necessary shoring up now!

Our blog post – “Hurricane Season is Here! Are You Ready?” – covers such topics as a hurricane safety checklist, and common mistakes that Florida homeowners make. For example, don’t “X” your windows with tape. Contrary to popular belief, it won’t prevent the glass from shattering. Instead, it will create larger, potentially deadly pieces. Ditto for opening windows/doors during the storm to “equalize pressure.” Keep ALL openings into your house securely shut.

The “to-do” list:

  • Prune weak, rotting or dead tree branches and remove low-hanging ones near the house (or have a professional do the job).
  • Check tree roots for signs of rotting and remove any rotten or diseased trees or shrubs (ditto).
  • Clean rain gutters – leaves, branches and other debris can cause overflow, which can damage your siding and/or roof. Again, as with the two tasks above, hire a pro if necessary. NEVER attempt a property maintenance or improvement job that you don’t have the experience, ability or equipment to perform safely.
  • Check the caulking around doors and windows. Good caulking is the first line of defense against the water intrusion that can occur during the prolonged driving rains of a hurricane or lingering tropical storm. Water that seeps into past-its-prime caulking also can, over time, damage door and window frames. If you need to recaulk, silicone or urethane lasts the longest and holds up the best. Elastomeric latex caulk is another good choice, as it also is durable and can be painted.
  • Remove or secure loose/lightweight objects in your yard, as they can become projectiles and damage your property. Move potted plants, garbage cans, garden ornaments, tools and hanging baskets inside a garage or shed. Move containers too large to bring indoors to a protected area and cluster together, as well as large potted trees and plants; place trees/plants in the pot sideways.

Making your roof more resistant to wind damage

It was only after category 5 hurricane Andrew leveled much of South Florida in 1992 that the state adopted a revised statewide building code that – among other upgrades – required stronger hurricane straps and clips for residential structures. Older homes are less likely to have this level of protection. If you don’t know if your roof truss reinforcements are up to code, hire a professional to perform an inspection.

You may want to hire a professional roofer to inspect your roof for loose shingles, worn seams, etc., and make necessary repairs.

Trust the pros to choose the best paint for your home

Hurricanes are only part of the overall challenges of maintaining a Florida house. Our state’s climate extremes also include relentless summer sun, intense heat and high humidity levels. A good exterior paint job will help protect your home from the elements while enhancing its curb appeal.

As we covered in our blog post – “Mistakes to Avoid When Painting Your Home” – typical Florida houses fall into the following types: concrete block, wood siding, aluminum siding or stucco – which, in this state, tends to be stucco applied over concrete block.

For the best results for most exterior surfaces, industry professionals recommend 100% acrylic latex exterior paint. According to The Money Pit, “These paints have superior adhesion, so they’ll ‘grab’ tightly onto a properly prepared surface. They also are very flexible, which permits them to expand and contract with the surface below in extreme cold or heat. Down the road, these qualities help prevent many common exterior paint failures like peeling and flaking.”

Acrylic latex paints are easy to apply by brush, and contain special additives that can prevent mildew growth. Although acrylic latex paint has a higher cost, it combines paint and primer, and can last 10 years or longer.

Being prepared for hurricane season can help you feel more confident, knowing you’ve taken every step to make your home safe and secure. If you need help getting ready, The Paint Manager has served Central Florida since 2000 with quality professional residential and commercial painting services.

Visit our website to learn about many other services we provide – including pressure washing, roof cleaning and stump removal. Become a member of The Paint Manager to receive a 15% year-‘round member’s discount. Contact us to learn more about our services and membership discount offer.

The Paint Manager — Latest News

The Paint Manager — Latest News

COVID-19 UPDATE

With the recent global developments of COVID-19, The Paint Manager would like to remind our community members how to best protect your health in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, we are announcing that all interior projects from The Paint Manager are currently suspended for 60 days beginning Monday, March 16, 2020.

We appreciate your understanding during this time, and we urge everyone to use the following CDC guidelines to protect your health and the health of others. Visit CDC.gov to learn more and be prepared.

How to Protect Yourself — CDC Guidelines:

Know How it Spreads

  • There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  • The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
  • The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
    • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
    • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
  • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Take Steps to Protect Yourself

  • Cover coughs and sneezes.
    • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
    • Throw used tissues in the trash.
    • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Wear a facemask if you are sick.
    • If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
    • If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
  • Clean and disinfect.
    • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
    • If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent soap and water prior to disinfection.
Painting Your Office During Business Hours

Painting Your Office During Business Hours

As a business owner, you know the importance of maintaining an attractive office or shop. When it comes time to repaint the exterior or interior, however, the project can easily become a logistical nightmare. For most businesses, closing during the week is impractical. Because we assume that you’re going to hire a professional painting company for the job, we at The Paint Manager offer the following tips and advice.

Here’s why we assume you’re not going to attempt to DIY. First, you’re smart! If you own the building – no matter how small – tackling an exterior paint job by yourself is asking for disaster. For an interior paint job, there’s much to consider from the standpoints of safety – such as ensuring adequate ventilation, having the right protective clothing and equipment, making sure the work and staging areas are safe for employees and customers, etc. Professional painting contractors experienced in commercial projects know how to create a safe working environment while minimizing inconvenience.

Why should you hire a professional service?

Our colleagues at Nash Painting in Nashville, Tenn., eloquently make the case for calling the pros.

“While there’s nothing wrong with a do-it-yourself spirit, you should know that it’s often more cost-effective in the long run to hire professional local painters to coat your surfaces, even if your space is limited. If you go it alone you might have to touch-up your surfaces often, if not repaint everything again shortly after.

“Experienced painters have the resources and knowledge to get the job done properly and efficiently. They will bring the right number of contractors to tackle the project, use high-quality paint products, apply the paint with proper technique, and clean up after themselves when it’s over. Unless you’re completely confident in your ability to paint your business, hiring professionals will give you better, longer-lasting results. Plus, you can focus on your business’s operations while they handle the painting.”

Most painting companies provide advice on color, and can help you choose a base color and trim that will reinforce your brand identity if you have a retail shop or restaurant – thereby helping attract and keep more customers – or establish a professional, pleasant workspace for an office. Our blog post – Transform Your Workspace and Increase Productivity – covers the top 10 colors for making office workers happier and more productive.

One more important factor to keep in mind: Professional painting contractors are licensed and insured. Should you take the DIY route and a customer is injured in the process, you’ll most likely face a lawsuit. Also consider the consequences if an employee is injured – or you are! The prospect of saving a few bucks ultimately isn’t worth the risk.

Keeping your office open during the process

Now for the big question. Should you keep your business open while painting is underway, or close during the project? Of course, you’d prefer not to lose money – especially since you’re making an investment in this improvement. However, depending upon your business, you may not legally be allowed to remain open. A restaurant may be required to close due to health and safety codes. Be sure to check your local and state laws before scheduling work to begin. This way, if you do need to close, you can do so during a period that will minimize the financial impact instead of being unpleasantly surprised the day before.

Once you have the answer to that question, ask yourself the following:

  • Is there enough space for the painters to work in and for your employees to conduct their tasks – and for customers to easily and safely access products/services?
  • Are there enough windows for proper ventilation of paint fumes? If so, can they be open during business hours while still permitting a safe and sanitary indoor environment?
  • Have you conducted a cost-benefit analysis to help you decide whether you should stay open, or close during the project?

If you decide to stay open for business, The Painting Company provides excellent advice on running your operation while painting is underway.

  • Inform your employees and/or customers in advance of painting; conduct any necessary training to ensure that daily operations are uninterrupted.
  • Retail shops and restaurants should have signs in conspicuous areas to inform customers about the work, and to be careful around work areas.
  • Set up zones or designated areas where the painting process will begin, then move to the next zone after one has been completed. Says The Painting Company, “Without a set up like this, you could create chaos and an unorganized renovation that will ultimately create stress and unhappy customers.”
  • If the space is large enough, you can create a buffer zone to separate the construction area from everything else. This will help lower noise levels and contamination, promote good air quality, and minimize disruption to employees and customers.
  • Keep employees and customers updated on progress during the project – including any extra precautions to take in certain work areas. Use social media to keep customers informed. You can even use this as an opportunity to better engage your customers, as the improvement is ultimately for their benefit!

Communication is key for painting effectively

Depending upon the size and nature of your business, you may only need to communicate with a few employees. However, a large, multi-department office requires a coordinated effort to ensure everyone, in effect, “gets the memo” at the same time. This may involve regular emails or a weekly staff meeting. Include clients and vendors who regularly visit your office on your email list, as well.

If you keep your employees and customers in the loop, they are sure to cooperate with you during the repainting project, and you can get your office painted during business hours conveniently.

If you want your office repainted with experienced skill, care and minimal disruption, The Paint Manager is ready to talk with you about your project. Contact us to learn more about our services.

What You Need to Know Before Hiring a House Painter

What You Need to Know Before Hiring a House Painter

In Central Florida, fall and spring are the optimum seasons for painting your home’s exterior. With summer thunderstorms and the threat of hurricanes significantly decreasing after September, autumn is a great time to take stock of your home’s condition and paint if necessary. Because going the DIY route isn’t practical (or possible) for most homeowners, half of the effort necessary to achieve a beautiful result involves knowing how to hire a professional paint contractor.

In the interest of making sure you have the information you need to start planning this major project, The Paint Manager offers our guide. By the way, the same advice applies to hiring a painter for interior jobs!

Why does your house need to be painted?

In addition to making your home more attractive, a fresh paint job helps protect the exterior from environmental wear-and-tear. Addressing other maintenance issues during the project – such as replacing caulking and doing the general prep work necessary to achieve a smooth, long-lasting finish – helps reinforce your home’s structural integrity and increases its value.

Our October 2018 blog post – “When to Paint the Exterior of Your House” – covered such reasons as fading and/or chipping paint, boosting the home’s curb appeal before putting it up for sale and updating its look with a new color scheme.

What to look for in a professional house painter

As previously mentioned, hiring an experienced, ethical professional painting contractor is the critical first step in ensuring a high-quality result. Consumer Reports provides the following tips on hiring a painter.

Meet the pros – Call in at least three different contractors for your job, and be home for the initial meeting with them. That way, you’ll know how much time each contractor took to assess the condition of your home. The longer the contractor takes, the more realistic the estimate you’ll get. Even an experienced painter will need more than a quick walk around your house. Also ask each contractor about the size of his crew and the members’ experience level.

State your expectations – The number of coats a painter applies isn’t the only factor in determining the quality – and price – of the project. Preparation is also key. If you want a surface that’s free of unevenness from past paint jobs, tell the contractors – and be prepared to pay extra. But if you can live with some imperfections, agree on what level of prep is acceptable and what isn’t.

Get estimates – Seek a written estimate from each contractor. It should include a breakdown of labor, material costs, the number of coats of primer and paint, the brand and model of materials, and a detailed description of the amount of surface preparation that will be done.

Check references and past work – Get a list of references from each contractor and call them to find out about their experience with the pro. A history of positive references is a good sign. Also examine jobs the painters did several years ago to see how their work is holding up. Use recent projects to check the skill of their current crews.

Look at credentials ­– Before you hire someone, consider the contractor’s credentials. Membership in a trade or local business group isn’t a guarantee of quality work, but it shows a level of commitment and reliability. Also verify whether the pro has the appropriate license(s). (You’ll find the licensing information in your state at the Contractor’s License Reference Site. Also check with the Better Business Bureau, the attorney general’s office in your state, or a local consumer-affairs agency to learn whether the contractor has a history of unresolved complaints.

Obtain a complete contract – The contract should include all the contractor’s key information: name, address, office and cell numbers, and license number, plus whatever details were in the estimate. Make sure the contract clearly states what is and is not included in the job.

Validate their insurance – Get a copy of the painter’s liability and workers’ compensation insurance certificates. If the contractor doesn’t have coverage, you could be on the hook if, for example, the crew drops a ladder on your neighbor’s car or a crew member gets hurt on the job.

Ask for a guarantee – The painter should promise to correct any chipping, peeling, blistering, flaking, or excessive fading or chalking that occurs within two years after the job is done at no or little cost. If the paint itself has a warranty, remember that doesn’t include labor, which is a far more costly proposition than material.

Choose the paint yourself – Your painter may prefer using a particular brand. If so, ask why. If you’re not satisfied with the answer (it may be the cheapest, not the best), insist on a brand of your own choosing. However, a reputable painting contractor will be more familiar with the brand and type of paint best suited for your home’s building material, area’s climate, etc.

Hold out ­– Don’t make a large down payment, and withhold the final payment – typically 10 to 15 percent – until you are fully satisfied with the job.

Angie’s List adds these important questions to ask. Does the contractor have employees? If so, are they direct employees, meaning they receive a paycheck from the contractor, or are they considered subcontractors? If they are direct employees, the contractor’s workers’ compensation and general liability insurance policies should cover them. If they are subcontractors, they should have their own insurance policies. Either way, the contractor should give you a copy of proof of insurance both for their business and any subcontractors, if necessary.

A word of caution about lead-based paint

Lead was commonly used in home exterior and interior paint until 1978, when it was banned by the federal government. Our October 2018 blog post – “How to Stay Safe When Painting Homes With Lead-Based Paint” – provides a comprehensive look at how to tell if your home has lead paint (which can be covered by subsequent layers of paint, yet remain a potential hazard), professional remediation (removal) and the necessity of having every aspect of the job handled by a professional painting contractor with the appropriate experience and equipment.

Other areas to consider

Our industry colleagues at Chesapeake Painting Services, Annapolis, MD, offer a detailed guide to the process of hiring and working with a professional house painting contractor. For example, expect to be responsible for certain steps to prepare for an interior paint project – such as moving furniture; removing outlet covers and switch plates; and allocating at least one space as a “staging area” for the paint crew to store their ladders, plastic sheets, paint, etc.

The Paint Manager is here to help

As you can see, hiring a pro to paint your house involves a good deal of planning and due diligence. The Paint Manager has served Central Florida since 2000 with quality professional residential and commercial painting services. Visit our website to learn about many other services we provide – including pressure washing, roof cleaning and stump removal. Become a member of The Paint Manager to receive a 15% year-‘round member’s discount. Contact us to learn more about our services and membership discount offer.

 

 

The Best Painting Apps For You to Try

The Best Painting Apps For You to Try

Time to paint your house? Whether exterior or interior, choosing the right colors is typically a challenge. Fortunately, technology has come to the rescue! There are paint color apps that make your job much easier. These helpful apps allow you to “paint” your wall virtually or match a paint color to a photo. The best part? They’re free, and available for download on iTunes and Google Play for iOS and Android devices, respectively.

Here is The Paint Manager’s selection of the top paint apps!

Color Connect by Valspar – The app (iOS) allows you to explore Valspar paint colors available at Lowe’s, ACE or independent retailers. The paint calculator helps you estimate how much paint you’ll need for your project. You can upload photos and get advice from a color consultant via live video, audio or e-mail. The app also provides how-to videos to help get your project started.

Drawbacks: You can’t save your paint colors, and there’s no search function, making navigation difficult.

ColorSmart by Behr Mobile – The Behr paint app (Android, iOS) comes with an explore-color function, and it allows you to search by name, color family, or number. With the help of the color-match function, you can either take a picture or choose one from your gallery, and the color is then matched by the app with an existing Behr color.

You might get different color-match results for the same color sample; hence, you should be careful with paint selection. With the preview function, the app allows you to virtually paint your room by clicking on a color and applying it on the wall you want to paint. The app also allows you to save your projects, palettes, colors, and paint calculations.

Drawback: Doesn’t allow you to personalize your settings.

Paint My Place –  It is the only app that is not associated with a major paint company; therefore, you can explore three brands, namely Benjamin Moore, Dulux and Farrow & Ball.

With this app, you can upload an existing photo or take a new picture of the space you are planning to paint, then select the color and brand and paint it virtually.

It is slightly difficult to paint here because it allows you to either use your finger to spread the color or use the fill function, both of which can become unwieldy for some.

Drawbacks: Ads asking you to upgrade to the premium version; available only on iOS.

By upgrading to the premium version, you can work with multiple colors, get color suggestions, and save and share your work.

Color Capture by Benjamin Moore – This app (Android and iOS) allows you to match the colors in any photo and shows you the four closest shades. You can save, tweet, or post to your Facebook page the color you find.

Drawbacks: Colors appear different on screen than “in person” – a universal issue with virtual paint samples.

Color Snap by Sherwin-Williams – You can create color palettes with Color Snap (Android and iOS) and match colors to a photo on your mobile phone. The color-match feature of the app automatically picks out colors in the photo and matches and creates a palette with those colors. Also, the app allows you to click on a certain color to match, and you get a selection of complementary colors. You can view each color in a room setting.

Paint My Wall – Simple and easy-to-use (iOS).  Just upload your image to test, or use the app’s image to explore various color options. Use your finger or Smart Fill to paint the wall.

Drawback: Numerous ads.

Paint Tester – You can use this app (Android and iOS) to find a color quickly, which you can immediately purchase. From the tool options, you can choose your paint color and test it on your surface. You can then select the cart button to buy the color from the retailer directly. Buy Paint Tester Pro for $2.99 to eliminate ads and gain access to improved color matching.

Home Harmony – It’s impossible to imagine how a certain paint color or flooring type would look in your own home just from those tiny store samples. Home Harmony (Android and iOS) is a home improvement visualizer that will let you test paints and flooring in your home with a single touch. 

Drawback: Rather slow.

ColorPic by Prestige Paints – The app (Android and iOS) shows you before and after images, which gives you a good idea how the result will look in your home. The entire color collection can be viewed from the main menu, and ordered directly from Amazon. The built-in room calculator allows you to order the exact number of cans you need for your project.

SwatchDeck – If you want to store paint colors for your home, then SwatchDeck is the perfect app (iOS). Browse their collection of popular brands and add the color you love to the Swatch palette. Also, the app is easy to use and visually appealing. Unlock the premium version for $2.99 and get unlimited project areas.

Popular paint colors

Our team at The Paint Manager stays up-to-date with color and paint trends. We invite you to read our blog post – “4 Popular Paint Colors for Today’s Home Seller” – but don’t be put off by the title. They’re great suggestions even if you plan to enjoy your happy home for years to come!

Décor Aid lists its 10 Best Interior Paint Colors Trending for 2019. On-trend colors that should be of special interest to Central Florida homeowners include Hazelnut, Mist (a blend of muted pastel blue and green with a gray and lilac undertone) and Soft Clay.

Feeling inspired now that you know the ease of selecting paint colors?  The Paint Manager has over two decades of experience in providing high-quality, trusted full-service residential painting for homes of every size and age. Our team can provide décor ideas, does all the demanding prep work and performs skilled, meticulous application to ensure beautiful results. Contact us for an estimate.

 

 

 

4 Reasons Why You Need Professionals For Drywall Repair

4 Reasons Why You Need Professionals For Drywall Repair

Orlando Drywall Repair, Orlando Home Renovations, Orlando Home Repairs, Orlando Painters

Image by Riverview Homes Inc

We all want to live in a beautiful, clean and green home. But, it requires quite an effort on the part of the homeowner to maintain a house that is striking, beautiful, clean, and which is full of greenery. A feat difficult to achieve, homeowners constantly have to strive hard to create and maintain a perfect home.

As a homeowner, you don’t only have to ensure that your home exteriors look beautiful, but you also have to make sure that the interiors, landscape, driveway, pool, and everything else in your house remains in perfect order. A lot goes into creating a home that is beautiful to look at, and a delight to stay in. From a well painted exterior, a nicely maintained landscape, and a perfect pool setting to stylish furniture, attractive paint on the walls, and more, you have to plan everything to perfection.

Integral parts of your home, walls and ceilings, play an important role in making your house look beautiful. And, when the interiors of your home have drywall ceilings and walls, it looks even better.  But, like everything else, even drywall doesn’t last forever. It requires regular upkeep, and at times replacement, when damaged beyond repair.

Though, more often than not, repairing is all it takes to give your drywall a perfect finish. Needless to say, without proper paint and finish on your walls and ceilings, your home interiors can’t look elegant. And, when the wall itself is not in perfect shape, then no amount of paint, good or bad, can produce the looks that are flawless. With drywall, you get a perfect finish, and then the paint on these walls look great.

Drywall repair – DIY or professionals? 

There are some home jobs that you as a homeowner can do on your own, but you just can’t repair everything in your house. But, there are some homeowners who think they can fix anything and everything that needs repair in their home. It is true that internet helps you learn a lot of things, be it fixing, or repairing a door knob, or changing your sink faucet, but there are some home jobs that are best left to professionals. And, repairing drywall is one such work, which should only be left for professionals to do.

Drywalls are building materials used as a substitute for wooden or concrete walls, which are not just inexpensive, but it also gives a wonderful finish. The only flip side to this is that drywall is softer in comparison to concrete or wooden walls, and therefore they are more prone to damages if proper care is not taken. Of course, when you have damaged walls at home, you need to get it repaired, or else it can spoil the beauty of your house.

When you watch videos online of people teaching you how to repair your drywall, you are bound to think that it’s an easy job and a perfect DIY project, but we tend to forget that the precision it requires (in repairing) calls for professional help.

Moreover, trying to fix a drywall yourself you might end up making the repair work even costlier, as the damaged area can increase further, which would then escalate your total cost. Hence, whenever you need your drywall to be repaired, it is advisable to call in experts.

4 specific reasons why you should call in professionals for drywall repairThe number one reason why you should call in experts if you have a damaged drywall is to maintain the peace of your house. Yes, any DIY project creates some amount of stress in the house. But, on a more serious note, here are 4 specific reasons why you should call in professionals for drywall repair.

  1. They (read professionals) know their job well – An expert drywall repairing company, apart from knowing their job well, also realizes the unique needs of each of its customer, and therefore presents to you a customized solution. Drywall repair professionals have been through it all and seen every kind of damage your drywall would ever experience. They know what exactly needs to be done to fix the problem on your drywall. From estimates to the exact course of action, you have everything in black and white in front of you, which makes it easy for you to take a call whether to repair or replace the drywall.
  1. They have loads of experience and expertise – There is no substitute to experience, and with it comes the exposure and expertise of repairing the drywall, no matter how bad the damage is. DIY enthusiasts, or individuals and companies who don’t have sufficient experience and expertise of repairing the drywall could spoil your project and increase its total cost, whereas professionals do their job to perfection.
  1. It saves your precious time – Time, they say, is money, and you of course don’t have enough of it to waste. A project which professionals would be able to finish in a couple of hours, people with less, or no experience will do the same work in a couple of days. In today’s fast paced world, you don’t have that much of time to waste, do you? It therefore makes no sense to waste your precious time, instead it is better to save it and utilize the same in other productive work. Hence hiring professionals to repair your dry wall will save you time.
  1. They have the right equipment – Being in a different profession, it is highly unlikely that you would have all the tools that are required for drywall repair. When you hire professionals, one thing that you can be assured of is the latest equipment for the repair job of your drywall. Needless to say, you can spoil your wall further if you don’t have the requisite equipment. Moreover, just by having the right equipment does not guarantee that the job you do on your own will have great results because you should also have proper practice of operating these tools. And, when you hire professionals, not do they have the right equipment, they also know how to use it, which produces better results.

Apart from the reasons mentioned above, you also run the risk of injury and harm to your health, when you plan to repair the drywall on your own. Whereas, when you hire professionals, they not only know how to avoid injuries, but they also take necessary precautions that are required during the process of drywall repair.

Over and above this there is a huge difference in the quality of repair work done when you do it on your own, and the drywall repair that is undertaken by professionals.

If you are in and around Greater Central Florida and drywall repair is what you are looking at, don’t take chances of doing it yourself. Just get in touch with The Paint Manager, paint and drywall experts, and leave your worries to the professionals.

We have been in this industry for long to know the nuances of the trade, and know exactly what it takes to repair any kind of drywall.

We also have all the right tools and trained manpower who know how to use them efficiently, which ultimately gives your drywall a perfect finish.

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