Monthly Archives: July 2018

What to Do if You Think You Have Lead Paint in Your House

By Mack.Painters | Painting

 

In 1978, lead paint was banned for home use – but many houses in Aberdeen, Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Myrtle Beach are older than that.

And some of them still have lead paint on their interior walls.

So what should you do if you think you have lead paint in your home?

What to Do if You Think You Have Lead Paint in Your Home

Lead paint can have serious health hazards, but you might not know it’s there. According to the EPA, lead paint is still in millions of homes across the U.S. – and sometimes it’s under several layers of new paint. As long as the paint covering it is in good shape, it’s usually not a problem.

If it is cracked, peeled or chipped, or if it’s on window sills, doors and door frames, or stairs, railings, banisters or porches, you’re at risk. You may want to have your home tested.

Should You Have Your Home Tested for Lead Paint?

If you can answer yes to either of these questions, you should have your home tested:

• Was the home built before 1978?
• Do walls, window sills or other surfaces in your home have chipped or peeling paint?

In some cases, it’s essential to call out a lead abatement contractor. It’s usually a bad idea to try to remove it yourself, because even the dust left behind can be hazardous to your family’s health. If you do have lead paint in your home:

• Pick up any paint chips you find anywhere.
• Clean the dust off window sills and other surfaces often.
• Take off your shoes when you go inside so you don’t bring in lead from the soil outside

You can contact the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-LEAD for help finding a professional near you.

Once all the lead paint is safely removed, you can call in an interior painting expert to give your home a fresh coat of paint. Call us at 910-725-3227. We’ll be happy to give you a free painting estimate for any of our services, too, so call today!

How to Fix a Hole in Drywall

By Mack.Painters | Tips and Tricks

 

If you’re like many people, you’ve seen how bad a hole in drywall looks – and if you need to paint over one, you know that it’s tough to get it just right.

Here’s how to fix a hole in drywall so you can paint over it. (Remember, if you need help, we can repair the holes in your drywall and give your whole home a fresh coat of paint!)

How to Fix a Hole in Drywall

There are basically three categories of holes in drywall: Small, Medium and Large. The size of the hole will dictate how you fix it.

How to Fix Small Holes in Drywall (Under 3 or 4 Inches)

You can use a drywall patch kit for small holes in drywall, like the ones a doorknob would cause. Follow this step-by-step guide:

1. Place a self-adhesive mesh patch over the hole.
2. Use a drywall knife to cover the patch with joint compound. Feather the edges so it blends into the wall.
3. Apply a second coat of compound if necessary, but wait until the first patch dries.
4. Sand the patch down so it’s smooth.

How to Fix Medium Holes in Drywall (Under About 6 Inches)

For holes that are about 6 inches across (or smaller), you can cut drywall to fit inside. Follow these steps:

1. Cut a piece of drywall into a square that’s about 2 inches larger than the hole.
2. Score the back of the drywall about 1 inch inside its borders. Make the cuts close for a perforated effect.
3. Break off the gypsum without tearing the paper backing.
4. Hold the cut drywall over the hole and trace its outline. Don’t outline the paper – just the drywall.
5. Cut out the traced square with a drywall knife.
6. Spread joint compound on the back of the paper.
7. Put the cut drywall in the hole and smooth the paper edges over the wall.
8. Cover the whole patch with joint compound and feather the edges.
9. Apply a second coat of compound when the first is dry.
10. Sand the patch down so it’s smooth.

How to Fix Large Holes in Drywall (Over 6 Inches)

You can use drywall to patch a large hole, but it might require a different method. Follow these steps:

1. Cut a piece of drywall into a square that’s larger than the hole.
2. Hold the square over the drywall and trace around its edges.
3. Cut a hole in the drywall that matches your patch using a drywall knife.
4. Add a small, thin piece of wood to each side of the hole from the inside, using screws on the outside. Sink the screws beneath the drywall’s surface so you can patch them later.
5. Put the drywall patch in place and screw it to the wooden strips inside the hole.
6. Affix joint tape all around the patch.
7. Cover the patch and the joint tape with joint compound. Feather the edges.
8. Apply a second coat of compound when the first is dry.
9. Sand the patch down so it’s smooth.

Want to Skip All This Hassle?

We can handle this for you and repaint your wall so it looks like there was never a hole there in the first place. We work in Aberdeen, Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Myrtle Beach. Call us at 910-725-3227 to get a free painting estimate for any of our services today!

 

7 Signs You Need New Exterior Paint on Your Home

By Mack.Painters | Painting

If you’re like most people, you don’t think too much about your home’s exterior paint – it’s just kind-of… there. What you may not realize is that the paint on your home’s exterior isn’t just there to make your house look nice. It’s also a layer of protection that seals your house against the harmful effects of UV rays, moisture and temperature changes, which means that you need to keep an eye on it.

Fortunately, there are seven signs that can let you know if you need a new exterior paint job on your home.

7 Signs You Need New Exterior Paint on Your Home

Peeling Paint

If paint is peeling off the surface in strips or flakes, you need to call an exterior paint expert immediately – especially if any of the underlying materials are exposed.

Wood Rot

Test for wood rot by gently pressing on the area where you suspect it is. If the wood moves or has any give to it, it’s likely to be rotten and needs to be replaced before you paint.

Rough Texture

Exterior paint that looks like alligator skin is starting to fail – and it means that moisture is starting to get in.

Caulk Problems

If caulk is separating from the surfaces, or if it’s already detached, you probably need to repaint your home’s exterior.

Mold or Mildew

You don’t always have to repaint if you see mold or mildew (or both) – you may just be able to clean it away. However, the cleaning process is rough on paint, so if you’ve repeated it multiple times, you could be wearing it down to a dangerous point.

Chalking

Paint that looks chalky, or that leaves a residue on your hand when you brush at it, has reached the end of its lifespan.

Fading

When paint starts to fade, it’s failing. Even if it fades in some spots and not others, it’s a sign that you need to call a professional painter.

Do You Need to Talk to a Painting Pro in Myrtle Beach, Pinehurst, Aberdeen or Southern Pines?

We can help keep the outside of your home looking its best, from Myrtle Beach to Southern Pines – call us at 910-725-3227 to find out how. We’ll be happy to give you a free painting estimate for any of our services, too, so call today!