Category: Painter

How to Fix Drywall Patch Marks Showing Through Paint

Drywall is a common material for interior walls and ceilings in buildings and homes. While you can dress the material with a variety of textures and finishes, it is susceptible to dings, dents and scratches and even peeling tape covering the joints. Just painting over an improperly-patched blemish does not cover the problem, as the patch is often still fairly obvious. A better choice is to fix the blemish so that it blends with wall texture surrounding the area to be patched.

Scrape away any loose or raised particles, such as loose seam tape, from the patched area using a putty knife. Tap the area lightly with a flat-faced hammer to create a slight indention and loosen any remaining particles.

Apply a thin coat of drywall compound to the area using a drywall knife. When the area to be patched is a seam, apply a fresh piece of drywall tape over the compound on the seam, and then apply another thin layer of compound over the tape. Allow the compound to dry thoroughly.

Lightly sand the patched area using a drywall sanding pad to lower any slightly raised areas. Then, wipe any dust from the patch and apply a second thin layer of drywall compound, working outward a few inches from the perimeter of the first layer. Allow this layer to dry thoroughly, then repeat, working out a few inches in successive layers until you have completely feathered the patch and cannot see or feel any blemish.

Wipe down the wall and apply a coat of primer to the patched area and about a foot into the painted wall using a medium nap roller. Once the primer has dried thoroughly, apply two coats of finished paint from the same paint can used to paint the wall originally.

Drywall tape – loose, bubbles or wrinkled

Many homes experience loose or wrinkled dry wall tape at some point. Generally it is nothing to be alarmed about and just needs to be touched up or re-taped in a few places.

Drywall tape is normally embedded in drywall compound, usually called “drywall mud” by the tradesmen doing this type of work.

Most common causes

1. Probably the most common cause is that there was insufficient drywall compound applied to the taped joint or improper application. i.e. the tape did not get properly embedded into the mud on a hot summer day.

2. Moisture or dampness may also cause the tape to come loose. If the drywall had a high moisture content when the tape was applied or a high humidity condition came about, then there may be loose tape. Even too much water in a primer coat of paint that has been sprayed on to the drywall in the painting process may contribute to drywall tape coming loose.

3. Bubbles, technically called blisters, (usually caused by insufficient drywall compound being applied in the taping process) and wrinkles, may occur because of improper techniques in applying the drywall compound to the tape; perhaps an inexperienced drywall taper.

4. Occasionally movement of the wood from moisture content changes, truss uplift, seasonal movement of the slab or foundation, settlement or expansive soil issues may affect the taping.

How to Fix a Bad Drywall Tape Job

Joints between pieces of drywall are masked by a combination of drywall compound and tape. Over time, changes in moisture, settling of the home or quite simply, a bad tape job can cause the tape to peel away from the joint, leaving a blemish on the wall. Though the problem is just cosmetic, you do need to make some real repairs that, after painting, will be nearly impossible to discern from the rest of the wall.

• Remove any furnishings or other objects from the floor surrounding the area, and pull down any pictures or wall hangings nearby. Cover the floor beneath the damaged area with a drop cloth.

• Lightly sand the area with the damaged drywall tape using a drywall sanding screen. Then make a 1/8-inch deep cut around the perimeter of the bad tape with a utility knife. Peel away the damaged tape and drywall compound with a putty knife. Gently scrape the area to be repaired to lift up and remove any additional loose bodies.

• Apply a light coat of pre-mixed drywall compound to the area to be repaired, adding enough compound to work beyond the edges of the tape by a couple of inches in each direction. Cut a new piece of tape, and place it in position over the seam and drywall compound. Allow this compound to dry fully before proceeding.

• Cover the tape and previous compound with another thin layer of compound, adding about 2 inches of width in every direction. Gently slide a 10-inch drywall knife across the entire joint to scrape away any excess joint compound. Allow this layer to dry thoroughly before proceeding.

• Lightly scrape off any high points, then add a third layer of compound feathering another two inches in each direction. Allow this layer to dry thoroughly, then inspect the joint to see if you feel that a fourth or fifth layer should be added. If so, continue to add and feather new layers until the joint is smooth and even.

• Go over the area with a sanding block of very fine sandpaper — 220-grit or higher — to give the area a final smoothing. Wipe the joint with your hand, and sand any high points until it is completely smooth. If any low points are evident, add another layer of joint compound and repeat.

Alternatives to Drywall Tape

Using paper drywall tape to cover the joints where two panels of drywall meet is standard in drywall finishing. But there are many alternatives out there, each with different advantages and disadvantages. Some types of tape work best only for very specific applications, so check the product packaging to make sure an alternative tape will work for your construction project before testing it.

Mesh Tape

Fiberglass mesh tape offers a few advantages. First, it is easy to use. Just tear a piece off the roll and lay it on a layer of wet joint compound. Wipe it flat with your drywall tool. Then let it dry.

The second advantage of fiberglass mesh tape is it conforms well to oddly-shaped surfaces. For example, if you want to reinforce a round edge, lay a piece of fiberglass mesh tape on it and smooth it flat. Paper drywall tape, on the other hand, wrinkles easily.

The chief disadvantage of fiberglass mesh tape is that joints covered in only mesh tape tend to crack over time. While mesh tape certainly reinforces the strength of the joint compound, it doesn’t provide as cohesive a bond with the joint compound as paper drywall tape does.

Vinyl-Paper Composite Tape

A newcomer on the scene, vinyl-paper composite tape has changed how difficult angles are finished. Years ago, drywall finishers would have to use a chalk line to establish a straight line across tough angles and crooked corners. But now drywall finishers simply cut a length of stiff, cardboard-like vinyl-paper composite tape and embed it in wet joint compound. The vinyl-paper composite tape forms a perfectly straight line, leaving even the toughest angles clean and sharp.

Vinyl-paper composite tape has two main disadvantages. First, it is very expensive. A single roll of the tape can cost $20 to $30. In contrast, paper drywall tape costs only $2 to $4, depending on brand. Second, vinyl-paper composite tapes tend to dislodge over time. Due to the tape’s stiffness, seasonal shifts in temperature and moisture levels cause vinyl-paper composite tapes to crack and separate from the joint compound they are embedded in.

Metal Tape

Metal tape is the best product for covering wide-angle outside joints. It consists of two strips of metal glued to a paper drywall tape. Although new vinyl-paper composite products are emerging in the drywall-supply market that claim to cover wide-angle joints just as well as metal tape, many professionals still use metal tape. It is relatively inexpensive compared to newer products, and easier to install. Just cover the outside angle with joint compound, place a length of metal tape over it, and pinch the metal tape into place. Apply a few heavy coats of joint compound, and the wide angle is finished.

Adhesion

Mesh drywall tape has a tacky backing, allowing it to be self-stuck to the wall. Paper tape needs to be embedded in a layer of joint compound. This means that mesh tape is easier for the average person to install on a flat length of wall.

Most paper tape also comes with a factory crease in the center. This allows the installer to fold the tape in half, forming a right angle that makes it extremely easy to cover inside or outside corners. It is possible to fold mesh tape, but it’s easy to get off center if done by hand. If you want to use mesh tape on corners, use a specialty mesh tape corner applicator, and hit it with setting compound immediately. Of course, metal-reinforced paper tape makes for even easier installation and a very resilient corner!

Steps To Choosing A Painting Contractor For Your Home

Choosing the right painting contractor to help you protect and beautify your home can be an overwhelming task, especially if you’ve never hired anyone to do a home improvement project before.

Explore Your Options

There’s no shortage of resources available to you when you’re trying to locate prospective painting contractors, but there’s also no guarantee that any of the random names you’ll find while searching the web or browsing through the phone book will be reputable contractors.

Get Multiple Bids

After you’ve selected a few companies that have piqued your interest it’s time to get bids.  It’s always a good idea to get multiple bids for comparison purposes.  Avoid the temptation of choosing a prospect simply because they have the lowest bid price, as that is by far the most dangerous way of selecting a contractor.  But a little healthy competition never hurt anyone and it helps to keep prices at a reasonable level.

Interview The Candidates

One of the biggest reasons why people end up dissatisfied with their contractor is that they didn’t know the right questions to ask before they made their decision.  When you meet with your contracting candidates you should treat it like a job interview

Check References

Your final act of due diligence in choosing a painting contractor is to check their references.  Any contractor worth their salt will have a complete list of references they will provide you with so you can check out their work for yourself.

Steps to Choose the Best Painter for Your House

Colours speak volumes about a person. More so when it’s for your house. Choosing the best colour code for your room or house is as important and painstaking as building the house itself. However, it’s not so tough either. It all starts with finding out the best painter or contractor for residential painting. In this article, we look at the ways in which you can choose the best painter for painting your house.

Meet Multiple Contractors

The big hoarding of a smiling painter in your neighbourhood might not necessarily be the best for you. Try to call in at least three reputable contractors and allow them to inspect your house. The more time the contractor spends in moving around the house and briefing you, the better bonding your house will have with the painter. As an added advantage, you might gain some expert knowledge about painting a house and may act as a source of information for your friends and relatives.

Negotiate Early

Trust is important for getting a job done. But when trust overpowers, relationships sour. Often, contractors bid low to earn your trust, and midway to the project increases the turnaround time and cost. As a customer, you must make your expectations clear, and also responsibility in case of an exigency.

Acquaint Yourself with Paint Types

It’s true that an experienced contractor would ideally brief you with the best paint options, but, as a customer, knowing the basics of paint can make you stay one step ahead. Paint can be either latex or oil-based. Latex paint is washable and tends to last longer than oil-based paint. However, oil-based paint gives a brighter visual appeal to wooden textures. Polish or sheen is the next matter of consideration.

Get a Formal Contract Letter

An official contract letter saves you from unnecessary harassment in case anything goes wrong. A contract letter should clearly state the total cost, inclusions and exclusions in the paintwork, and all pertinent details of the contractor, like name, office and residence address, phone numbers, and license number. If possible, get a copy of the contractor’s insurance policy. It would save you from legal trouble in case a neighbour’s property gets damaged, or the painter gets hurt, due to an accident.

Choosing a Painter; Tips to Making The Best Choice!

Choosing a painter can be a real challenge. The right painter can make your home look spectacular, a bad painter can be a complete disaster. Before hiring any painter, I always suggest looking for a referral that you trust. Take the time to speak with friends, family, even your local paint store. While online reviews can be helpful, they can also be misleading, or even fake. Here are 5 important tips you definitely should know about before choosing any painter!

How to they prepare the house before painting begins?

Painters will have different ways of preparing the exterior of a home that they will be painting. Will they be sanding down the house? Do you need paint or can you use a stain? Most importantly, how to you protect those who live there, so that no one will be breathing in the dust from the paint that has been removed? In an older home there might be lead in that dust, I certainly don’t want anyone to be breathing that in. Ask your painters what they do to capture the airborne particles. Painting is primarily about changing the color of your home, but your safety is just as important!

Do they tidy up as they go?

When you are painting the interior, professional painters should be mindful of the fact they are in someone’s home. This applies even if you’ve temporarily vacated it for redecoration. As such, they ought to keep mess to a minimum before, during, and after the paint job. I have found the cleaner they are, the more they care about your home and the better the job is once it’s done!

Do they bill for work they have not done?

You may not have the time to supervise the painters’ comings and goings. This means you need to trust them to get to work and stay for the contracted hours. It is so important to see them at work, and to have a detailed list of the work to be done.

Are the paint cans labeled?

Always look to see if the paint cans are labeled. If the paint pots used are not labeled the painters might be using a different paint brand than what you contracted for. That could mean that the painters are using a cheaper line of paint. That’s fine if that is what you told them to do. But if you paid for premium paint or a specific brand, you’ll want to see it come out of the name brand paint can and onto your walls.

How to Choose A Good Painter

As a homeowner, you will probably repaint your home a few different times in the courser of owning it. So, how do you choose a good painter? Sure, you can ask your friends and neighbors to begin with. But, what if they do have one to recommend? Although many people simply pick a random name out of the phone book, your better of going to a website like SmartGuy.com, which lists thousands of local professionals many with ratings you can verify.

Make a plan.  Make sure you know in advance exactly what you want to paint and what color. In order to keep your costs down, you want to do it right the first time. Also, when meeting with various painters, make it clear that you want several coats, as well as the type of paint you want to use. Like most materials, there are better quality paints, and cheaper paints that won’t last as long. Emphasize the need for proper preparation and make sure all of this is in the contract you sign.

Get a few estimates. Seek a written detailed estimate from each of the painting contractors. The estimate should include a summary of labor, material costs, the number of requested coats of primer and paint, the specific brand of materials, and details of the scope of job that is to be painter.

Verify references and past jobs. Get a list of past clients from each painter and call them to see how they did, how long it took them and if they experienced any problems working with the painter. You might want to even ask them for references of a few jobs they did five years earlier to see how they are holding up

Consider reviews. Before hiring the painter, look and see if they have a BBB rating or SmartGuy rating. You can also enter their company name followed by the words “rip off” or “scam” and see if anything comes up. You might also find some information on their company at your state’s Contractors License Reference Site.

Tips to Choose a Professional a Residential Painting Contractor

Many home owners like to spruce-up the look of their home every once in a while. One of the best ways to do this in a cost-effective manner, with the least amount of trouble is to get the interior and exterior walls of your home repainted. While you do this, it’s important you hire the services of a good Residential Painting contractor for the job. If you conduct an online search you will find there are a number of painting company listings

Zero-in on the right company- As mentioned earlier, you will find a number of painting companies online. Make sure the professionals you hire handle residential projects. The kind of detailing and rendering required in residential painting jobs is intrinsically different from what is required in commercial projects. And hiring a contractor that has tackled house painting jobs means you get the kind of service you need.

All-round services- The Residential Painting contractor you opt for the job should be able to provide comprehensive services. It means they should meticulously power-wash all the glass doors and windows and these should also be masked while the walls are being painted. Simply put, they should handle every little aspect of interior and exterior painting

Type of paint- Today, the market is flooded with a variety of paint finishes and textures and it’s important that the company be able to provide you different options to choose from. They should also have a colour consultant who would be able to provide advice about which type of paint and colour would look good in your home. This consultation becomes a very important aspect of the job.

Exterior painting tasks- When you hire a Residential Painting contractor to get the indoor spaces of your home painted, you may also want them to paint the exterior walls, as well as features such as boundary walls etc. It’s best to check with the company whether they are able to handle all these jobs. The paint and techniques used in exterior painting is different from that used for indoor areas; and it’s important that the contractor you hire for the job, be able to tackle this expertly too. After all, you don’t want the paint job of the exterior of your home to look like it has been handled in a shoddy manner.