Painting 101

Painting projects can be daunting, especially if you are looking to do it yourself. Calling the experts can save you time and the hassle, but if you are going to take on the battle, you do not want to exhaust your time and money on a painting project to only realize it was all wrong. Proper planning is key to a successful DIY painting project. You will need to figure out what tools and materials are required. A lot will be based on room size and what areas of the room you would like painted i.e., walls, ceilings, trim and doors. Clearing a room is easy, choosing the right paint color can be a little tricky. For the sake of simplicity, the color is not an issue to you, because you already know what you are looking for. Let us then fast forward to types of paint in hopes to convert you to an expert painter overnight.

The quality and types of paints can vary significantly. If you are looking for a level of luster in a type of paint, the term is called “sheen”. The different sheens vary from the dullest matte paint to the shiniest high gloss paint. There is a science to sheen and the proper usage. Below are some quick key notes on “sheen” types. Consider this painting 101. Rule of the trade, ceilings call for flat, walls call for eggshell and doors and trim call for semi-gloss. It is that simple, but there are reasons for the application as all types of sheen serve their purpose.

Matte paint:
• is the dullest least reflective in sheen
• assists in hiding imperfections and irregularities in walls and ceilings
• depth of color is plus with matte
• Unfortunately, they are not stain-resistant

Eggshell and satin paint (satin is slightly glossier than eggshell):
• have some reflectivity and add warmth to a room
• offer improved durability and offer a compromise in comparison to matte finish
• are frequently used in demanding environments, like kitchens and bathrooms, where easy cleanup without a highly glossy finish is desired

Semi-gloss, gloss, and high-gloss paint:
• are the most reflective sheens
• are highly durable and washable
• are traditionally used on baseboards, moldings, and doors
• can make a statement, but also highlight imperfections, use very sparingly

When choosing any of the above, you may want to consult with the salesman with regards to paint brushes and pan, ladders, amount of paint required and coverings for your floors or personal belongings. Being patient will go a long way. Painting can be fun if done right.

Bathroom Mold Prevention

You have seen it before, and we all get it from time to time. No matter how many cleaning sessions we give our bathrooms, mold is an enemy that just won’t go away. You know what I am referring to. Just look at the corners of the tub that you have a daily love/hate relationship. When was the last time you had your bathroom cleaned? Less than a week ago I am sure.

 

 

It is crazy how quick mold disappears and reappears. Did you know that mold only needs a gestation period of 24 hours to germinate and grow? Let us start with the basics. Mold loves damp, dark and isolated areas in the bathroom. The bathroom is one area of the house that remains wet for a period of time. It is enough for mold to build up. Did you know that ventilation or lack thereof has a lot to do with the growth of mold? There are other traps like rugs, grout and shower curtains that retain moisture. So what do you do about it? You may want to consider a ventilation fan for starters. Rule of thumb is to allow at least 30 minutes of running time to combat the moisture in the bathroom after usage.

 

Purchasing mold resistant shower curtains will help ease the war on mold, and do not forget to wash the towels and rugs that are used regularly. Just because, it appears dry, it is not. If mold has already taken its position in your bathroom; then it is time to get down and dirty. Cleaning your bathroom with traditional bleach, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide still work wonders. Usually a mixture of ½ cup bleach, vinegar or hydrogen peroxide with 1 qt water and a little bit of detergent will do the job. The detergent helps rinse off the surface while the rest helps kill the mold on contact.

 

For tough stains, you want to apply the application and allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes. Be sure the bristles are saturated in running water before you begin to scrub away. Unfortunately, the task is nothing enjoyable, but if you have to do it be mindful and wear latex gloves with a mask if possible. Chemical cleaners like bleach, are toxic so ventilate as much as possible for your safety and please be careful and not have elderly parents, children or pets around. Daily maintenance will save you a lot of work by weeks end, if you have the luxury.

Home Improvement Not Just for Outdoors

I don't know about you, but I am done with old man winter and all it brings with it. Truth be told I am checked out. My ride in is just as depressing as standing on line at the local DMV. Aside from the dreadful cold, nothing appears to be alive from the outside as all is in hibernation till the last frost. It is hard to really think of wanting to do anything, because we are is such a rush to stay in. With that said aside from watching the TV and living in the kitchen till it is time for bed, let us try something and switch it up. How about dividing some time and apply it to that mental "honey do" list? It might even be our own. Spring is near, very near. Actually it is on Wednesday, March 20th 2013. Now there is something to look forward to after that list.

I, like you are a homeowner and my list is endless. A day never goes by that I do not look at my entry ceiling and say to self "you need to be painted", then turning to the right and staring at my long over due windows that need cleaning, to my "could use more lighting" living room and finally my interior doors that need an upgrade. The list is longer, but this is not totally about me and never is. This is about us, the busy homeowner, the last minute guy or gal, the impulsive need it now or it won't happen self. So this is the plan and I think we should all follow it. Rather looking at the "to do" list, let us take a moment and focus on the "to be done" list. Instead of the Top 10, narrow it to the Top 1. You cannot get any more simpler than that. I think it is almost natural to look at any list and say "scrap it". We are all guilty of procrastination and adding another daunting task to our busy lives is a big "no thank you". I do think that 1 is a lucky number though, because it is closer to 2 and more than zero. If nothing else you accomplished something. So why don't we......

It is that simple, just look around and choose 1 thing to be done and be done with it. Lucky for you there is a site that can help you www.clickandimprove.com. I know a little self-serving, but not exactly. If I lived closer I would for sure be my own customer. Handy I am, but timing I don't have and there are just some things that are best handled by the pros. Whether it is deep cleaning, painting or junk removal to name a few www.clickandimprove.com has a little bit of everything to make your 24/7 life easier.

Be sure to also think past the small projects www.clickandimprove.com can also assist you with the bigger projects like a kitchen and bathroom renovation. Spring looks even brighter.....doesn't it?

Keeping a Brooklyn Kitchen Kickin'

Long time no type!  As it always tends to as summer fades into fall, business for Click and Improve was a bit, well, busy over the last two months, so we weren’t able to get on here as much as we would like. Hopefully, this will be amended as the weeks go on into fall/winter (fingers crossed!).  Most of this business involved small and singular projects: gutter cleaning and replacement, roofing installation and repair, paint jobs in living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms, and a few large home additions. We did, however, get to perform at least one desperately needed kitchen renovation in Brooklyn a few weeks ago. New cabinets were installed along with countertops; new plumbing and faucet were put in; new refrigerator with hot/cold water was purchased and installed. Pictures are occasionally blurry but we think you get the picture. (Ha! Sorry.)

A New Look in Levittown

Ever heard of Levittown, New York? For many, it’s just a hamlet located in Nassau County, somewhere between Hempstead and Farmingdale. In actuality, Levittown is, in many ways, considered a historic example of suburban planning; it is considered the first mass-produced suburb in America and is named after the father of the suburb, William Levitt. We were in this historic area recently, finishing up a massive home renovation. We completely revamped an attic and turned it into a living space, with shelves and a rather large closet. We also completely redid the stairs and living room, which got brand new walls and a paint job, as well as a brand new ceiling fan and light fixture.  We’re still finishing up some smaller projects in the home but we thought we’d give you a sneak peek at how we made this ordinary suburban home into something unique for our customers. Enjoy!

Before & After: New Walls and New Fixtures in Westbury

Westbury, a village out in Nassau County, NY, is a hell of a nice place to work during the summer months. Sure, we were working on our customer’s bathroom for most of the time, but when you got to see the light of day, coming in or leaving for the day, it’s very nearly bucolic in its way. We were out there doing a complete renovation, complete with new fixtures (upgraded sinks and faucets) and totally redoing the bathtub; in fact, we replaced the entire tub with a fantastic new open shower area, a popular item as of late. Lots of tile work and a lot of time was spent on the design as well, but overall, I think we made the most of the space. Don’t you agree?

A Big Fix-Up in the Five Boroughs

It’s been awhile since we here at Click and Improve been able to post about a big job. Part of this is simply the size of the job: renovating, remodeling and performing tasks in multiple parts of one house takes more time than a simple bathtub replacement or even putting up a brand new kitchen. The other part has largely to do with when and if the customer is comfortable sharing the work that has gone into their home. Thankfully, a Click and Improve client was so impressed with our work that she even helped out by taking some photos of the house on her own. For this space, we did bathroom remodeling in two areas of the house, put in a new staircase, a total kitchen remodel and various carpentry, electrical and plumbing work. Enjoy!