Category: Painting & Handyman Blog

If you have made the decision to have a professional come and pressure wash your home for you, then you have definitely made the right decision. Having the exterior of your home pressure washed, along with your driveway and sidewalks, can really help to get them clean and looking amazing again. Pressure washing can also help to preserve these areas and prevent a lot of damage and deterioration from occurring. However, before the professionals come to pressure wash for you, it is important that you are prepared. Here are three ways that you can get your home ready for pressure washing.

Clean Off Your Driveway And Sidewalks

As soon as the professionals arrive to pressure wash for you, they would like to get started. A great way to make this happen is to remove any and all items that you have on your driveway and sidewalks. This includes vehicles, bikes, plants, furniture, etc. This also ensures that every square inch of your driveways and sidewalks gets cleaned properly because nothing is in the way.

Shut And Lock Your Windows 

Another important thing to do is shut and lock all of your windows. While shutting your windows is the most important, locking them ensures that they are closed securely and won’t fly open. This makes sure that no water gets inside your home and causes any damage.

Lock Up Your Pets

Lastly, take the time to make sure that all of your pets are put away. If they have enclosures outside, make sure that they are securely placed inside them. If they are inside animals, then you may want to place them in their kennels so that they don’t run outside. This protects both them and the professionals who are pressure washing for you.

To learn more reasons to get your home ready for pressure washing, or to hire professionals to come and pressure wash for you today, visit us at Excellent American Painting & Handyman Service.

We’re all familiar with looking at paint samples at the home store and choosing a paint finish from matte to gloss. Your painting project doesn’t have to end there, though. Excellent American Painting has the expertise to take your project to the next level and give it the look you want.

Why Add a Custom Paint Finish

A custom finish to a paint job can turn a room into a masterpiece, and who wouldn’t want to live in a masterpiece? Faux finishes can add depth and texture to a room, making painted walls appear to be marble, suede, wallpaper, and other surfaces. Custom finishes can add a dramatic flair or a subtle nuance of feeling to a space.

Types of Custom Paint Finishes

A variety of faux finishes can be used to create the look and ambience you’d like.

• Sponging – For adding a beautiful depth of color, sponging is done with natural sea sponges and several complementary paint colors or glazes.
• Ragging – Ragging is similar to sponging, except that a bunched cloth is used instead of a sponge. Ragging techniques can create a look like old leather or stucco.
• Color Wash – A color wash technique can give a room a beautifully aged look with layers of glaze in several colors in contrast to the base color.
• Striping – Classic striping can give a room an elegant look, and can mimic expensive wallpapers. Stripes can be a traditional vertical but also horizontal, diagonal, or can be in chevrons or other shapes.
• Harlequin – A harlequin design is an all-over diamond design where the diamonds can be the same or different colors.
• Textured – Textured painting is, as it sounds, the addition of a texture to the painted surface, ranging from subtle hints of texture to thick swirls and sandy looks.
• Two-Tone – A two-tone look can make a room pop with two complementary or contrasting colors, usually separated horizontally by a chair rail. Other types of two-tone painting could include vertical sections, or the use of two colors to create a textured or marbled look.
• Suede – A suede finish to a wall uses a combination of rollers and brushes to add a rich, soft look to your walls, like suede leather.

With so many options to choose from between different finishes and the world of colors available, perhaps the hardest part will be deciding what you want. Rest assured, the experienced team at Excellent American Painting are ready to help you design the finish that will work best for your space and give you the look you’ll like. You’ll even get a sample before the work starts, to ensure your satisfaction.

Contact us today at Excellent American Painting to give your space that extra touch with a custom paint finish.

It is very important to maintain your property, not only for its curb appeal, but for your own safety as well. There are a lot of people out there who are DIYers, but may not actually know what they are doing when it comes to even some of the more basic carpentry needs a home needs. Carpentry requires skill and practice, there are some home projects which are better left to carpentry experts. Not all painters are carpenters, and not all carpenters know how to paint.

Hire Our All-In-One Experts For Your Home

Some areas of your home might need a few touch ups before it is painted. We have carpenters and installers who know a thing or two who will make sure your home is properly prepared for the next step. Wood warps, vinyl can twist, screws and nails will pop out over time. While there are many reasons for why this is, the seasons are a key factor for these little considered effects. Your siding might be popping out in some areas, others might be rotting away due to moisture damage or have been chewed away by various animals. We will make sure your home is properly touched up before you get it painted.

Your cabinets might need to be looked at before they are repainted. Were they properly mounted? Are any of the mounting areas rotting or are the screws and nails rusting away? Believe it or not, your kitchen might not have any moisture in it now, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been building up. Boiling water or roasting a turkey can cause long term damage to your cabinets if they weren’t properly protected to begin with. Just like how your exterior siding is affected by the weather, your kitchen interior is also affected by how frequently you use it. Even wood floors can warp due to constant exposure to temperature fluctuations in the kitchen.

Give us a call today and have us fix up your home!

A properly maintained deck can withstand years of wear and tear. However, despite your best efforts damages can occur.  Missing banisters and loose or missing floorboards are obvious signs that a deck needs to be fixed but what about other problems that may not be as apparent. Pay close attention to the following signs that your deck may need immediate repair.

Cracks

Look for visible cracks in the boards of the flooring and railing of the deck. These cracks are typically caused by a combination of damage from the sun and rain. The solution could be as simple as a coat of sealant or paint but something more serious could be hidden inside the cracks like rotten wood. A quick inspection from a professional can determine the level of damage and what needs to be done.

Soft Wood

If the railing or floorboards of your deck feel soft when you press or step on them, this could be a troubling sign that the wood has become rotten.  Rotten deck boards need to be replaced immediately. Ignoring signs of rotten wood could result in injury or further complications.

Sagging Boards

If some of your boards look warped or begin to sag when you step on them, they may need to be reinforced with nails or screws or need to be replaced. A more serious cause of sagging could be rotten supports underneath the floorboards. An expert would be able to investigate and tell you more.

Decks are a beloved addition to any home.  They provide a great spot for gathering with friends and family or a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.  But they must be properly maintained and repaired to continue being safe and useful. Remember that fixing minor problems early can prevent more costly repairs down the road. Please contact us today to schedule an inspection from a professional.

Painting the exterior of your home is an excellent idea to really freshen it up and give it new life again. A great way to go about getting the exterior of your home painted is to hire a professional to paint it for you. Hiring a professional has so many benefits and allows the process to go smoothly for you. Here are three great reasons to hire a professional to paint the exterior of your home.

They Have Access To Excellent Paint 

One reason to hire a professional to paint the exterior of your home for you is because they have access to the best paint that you can use for the exterior of your home. It is so important that the correct paint is used for the exterior of your home to ensure that it both looks great and functions as you need it to outdoors. The professional will make sure that you get the correct paint and are pleased with the results.

They Will Help You Choose The Perfect Color

Another great reason to hire a professional is because they will help you to choose the perfect color for your home’s exterior paint. You can look at multiple options, and they can even paint small sections of your home with different colors to see what you like. This helps you to get a visual of the color and makes it easier to pick the best one.

Their Work Is Guaranteed

Perhaps one of the best reasons to hire a professional is the fact that their work is guaranteed. You know that if you aren’t happy with the finished results, or if something goes wrong with the paint, that they will be there to fix it for you. This is very comforting because you know that your investment is protected and that your home’s exterior paint job will remain looking great.

To learn more reasons to hire a professional to paint the exterior of your home, or to hire a professional today, visit us at Excellent American Painting & Handyman Service. 

If you have taken the time and money to install a patio in your backyard, you have definitely made an excellent choice. The great news is, that you can also do more to make it even better. An excellent addition to add to your patio is a patio cover. There are so many excellent options when it comes to patio covers, and they can all help to make your patio an awesome space to be. Here are three great reasons why you should invest in a patio cover.

Protect Your Patio

Perhaps the most important reason to invest in a patio cover, is to protect your patio from the elements. By installing a patio cover over your entire patio, you are protecting it from the sun, wind, snow, rain, etc. This can greatly extend the life of your patio because it won’t become deteriorated by these elements.

Make The Space More Enjoyable 

A patio cover also does an excellent job of making your patio more enjoyable. The patio cover will provide you with shade at all hours of the day, allowing you to enjoy your patio even in the warmer temperatures. The cover also allows you to enjoy watching the rain or snow without getting wet. This is especially important if you are hosting an event on your patio, eating family dinner, etc.

Create More Privacy

Your patio is essentially an extension of your living space. This means that you should feel some level of privacy while you are on your patio. An excellent way to create this feeling is by adding a patio cover. This cover helps to prevent others from being able to see you quite as easily and can help you to feel more secluded from your neighbors.

For more reasons why you should invest in a patio cover, or to get your patio cover started today, visit us today at Excellent American Painting & Handyman Service.

Ceiling fans can make your home a more comfortable place to live in every season. These machines are comparatively simple, but they still have the potential to develop mechanical or electrical problems. Here’s what you can do if the blades stop spinning:

Controls

Many units are controlled by a pull chain as well as a wall switch. Confirm that both controls are turned on. The chain usually switches power on and off in addition to setting the rotation speed.

Lights

Do the ceiling fan’s built-in lights still work? If not, you probably have an electrical problem. Check to see if this fixture has blown a fuse or caused a circuit breaker to trip.

Although this isn’t very likely, it’s feasible that a major power surge has damaged your fan or a necessary part of your electrical system. Find out if any other devices in your home have also stopped functioning.

On the other hand, perhaps the blades won’t spin but the lights remain usable. This likely indicates that there’s a problem with the motor or mechanism. You may need to repair or replace the equipment.

Warranties

When you can’t find a way to make a fan start spinning again, look at its documentation to see if it remains under warranty. You might be surprised to learn that some home warranty providers also cover these fixtures.

If your equipment is no longer protected by any type of guarantee, think about replacing it. Repairs usually aren’t economical, and a high-quality new unit may last two to three decades. It might also look better and produce less noise.

Our professionals supply and install dependable ceiling fans with attractive designs. We can also set up a unit that you’ve already purchased. Please contact our helpful staff to learn more about our affordable pricing and top-notch customer service.

Bathrooms are living zones of frequent use and necessity. Remodeling your bathroom can not only greatly increase the functionality of the space, but it can also prevent costly maintenance in the future. There are key signs that show it’s time for bathroom remodeling. Check them out below.

Funky & Outdated Colors

In the 70s, people thought pea green was a great color for walls, even in bathrooms. In the 80s, one of the biggest design trends included obnoxiously colorful wallpaper (think hot pink and electric blue) featuring giant flowers or abstract designs. And the tile colors of the 50s? Let’s just say they weren’t always the best choices compared to the modern options we have nowadays.

Funky, outdated colors stand-out a lot in small spaces such as bathrooms. While there are design masterminds who can work well with just about anything, starting over with a clean, efficient, modern remodel is often the best option for those who don’t want to pay a fortune.

Mildew & Mold

If you’re frequently having to wipe away, or scrub, mildew and mold from bathroom surfaces such as floors, walls, cabinets, and ceilings, it’s probably time for a remodel. From compromised seals on old toilets and leaky faucets to poor ventilation and lighting, an outdated bathroom is a key cause of mold.

If you don’t see mold, but your bathroom still smells musty and dank, or your old cabinets are moist to the touch, it’s likely that mold is hiding and growing somewhere in your bathroom. The quicker mildew and mold are addressed, the less damage it will cause to your bathroom (and your health) over time.

Dingy, Worn & Discolored Surfaces

Eventually, older bathtubs and sinks will lose the shine and sleekness of their ceramic coatings, becoming dingy, dull, and oftentimes discolored. They become nearly impossible to clean, always looking dirty. Bathroom flooring can also become dingy from constant use and moisture, creating whitish-gray patches of wear and tear, as well as scratches, peeling, and even loss of attachment to the sub-flooring.

Addressing these issues with a bathroom remodel is a great way to enhance the appearance of your bathroom, as well as the overall market value of your home.

To explore bathroom remodeling options, Excellent American Painting is here to help. Contact us today!

There comes a time when you need to think about replacing the windows in your home. There are several reasons why you may need to replace your windows, but in any situation calling a professional and having them remove them and install the new ones for you is the best way to go. Here are three important reasons to replace your windows.

They Are Leaking 

If you notice that your windows are leaking whenever it rains, snows, etc., then this is a big sign that they need to be replaced. When a window begins to leak, the seal is no longer in place like it needs to be. The frame around the window may also be warped so that it doesn’t seal off like it is supposed to. In either case, replacing the window with a new one is a great way to solve this issue for you.

They Are Letting The Cold In 

If your windows are letting a great deal of cold air into your home during the winter, this is a sign that you need to have them replaced. They may no longer be sealed properly, or the single pane window may simply not be thick enough to keep the cold air out. Replacing these windows with double or triple pane windows that are properly sealed, will help to stop the cold air from coming in and can also save you a great deal of money on your energy cost. This makes installing a new window a very cost effective option.

They Are Cracked

If you notice any amount of cracks in your window, then you should definitely have it replaced. These cracks will often become worse and splinter out whenever there is a change in weather from warm to cold, or vice versa. This can make your window unsafe and doesn’t allow it to function like it should. Replacing this window allows you to have a safe and functional window once again.

To learn more excellent reasons to replace your windows, or to have one or more of your windows replaced today, visit us at Excellent America Painting.

If you are in need of some home repairs, then you may be tempted to try and do them yourself. However, this is often not the best option for you. Instead, you should consider hiring a professional for your general home repairs. Here are three excellent reasons why this is your best option.

They Have Specialized Skills 

One awesome reason to hire a professional for your general home repairs is because they have such specialized skill sets. They know what is needed to properly perform your home repairs, and they will make sure that they are done right the very first time. This helps you to make sure that the problem doesn’t occur again and can make for a very positive experience for you.

They Know What Permits Are Necessary And What Codes Must Be Met 

When you hire a professional to perform your home repairs for you, they have a big advantage because they know all the necessary permits that are required to finish your repair properly. They will also make sure that all the repair work is up-to-code, so that you don’t have any issues with home safety or other protocols.

They Get You The Best Quality Materials For The Best Price 

A professional is going to do all that they can to not only get you the best quality materials, but also get them for you for the best price possible. They are able to do this because they can buy the materials in bulk amounts to complete all of their different projects, thus saving you money. They may also have access to other discounts because of their profession.

To learn more reasons why you should hire a professional for your general home repairs, or to hire a professional today, visit us at Excellent American Painting & Handyman Service.