To call attention to something like this may seem like overkill. No one cares about what the paint looks like directly under the countertop where no one ever looks. At least, that’s what the last painter thought. Either that, or they were physically unable to make the cut (pun intended, since using a paint brush to paint right up close to objects where the roller couldn’t reach without making a mess is called cutting in). To me, it is part of the wall and must be painted. It’s the little details that add up to a complete whole. There’s a reason why I keep busy during the winter and yet have other painters calling me nonstop looking for work. It’s because I do everything in my power to make my customers happy. And we only require payment upon completion, not up front. I don’t get my money until YOU are happy and I run my business that way on purpose. So… which painter are you going to use to take care of your house?
We pressure wash houses before we paint them, but most people ignore their concrete. It’s one of the quickest ways to make your house stand out in your neighborhood. There wasn’t quite as much room as I thought to fully spell out my company name, but at least this is less boring than a plain before and after. We offer driveway pressure washing services, concrete pressure washing, and of course exterior pressure washing. In the case of a paint job, it’s necessary not only to clean off things like mildew, algae, dirt, and spiderwebs, but also to blow off any paint that may no longer be adhered well to the surface, thus exposing weak areas that need to be scraped and primed so that I can ensure longevity of your new paint. This concrete has officially been Doctored(™), lol.
This was a simple, quick refresh of the front only of a house going on the market; a great, cost-effective way to make your house pop for that new buyer. It’s not too obvious from the before photo (bottom) but all of the paint was oxidized and heavily UV damaged. Look closely at the garage doors before and after to see some of what I mean. All of the original gloss was gone and you could slide a finger across it and leave a mark. A good way to tell when your paint’s life is up is when the gloss is gone. If you pay attention to these things and paint in time, your house will never peel, need scraping, and will retain its utmost value and appeal. Selling your home and want it to go fast? Schedule an estimate with me, and I may be able to advise on what does and doesn’t need painting, inside and out.
Siding
This was preparing some brick for paint a few days ago on a townhouse in Hoover, AL. I think most people don’t realize how filthy and blackened and weathered their house is – brick, siding, and even driveway concrete. Pressure washing, or power washing as some may refer to it, is an absolutely necessary first step to a long lasting paint job. Generally takes between 4-8 hours per house. A paint-prep pressure wash is very different from a pressure wash you would get from a pressure wash-only service – we are not just cleaning the house, we are prepping for paint, so we get a lot closer to the surface to try and remove anything loose – loose paint, loose dirt – so that the paint adheres directly to what matters. Painting is easy – it’s the preparation that’s most important. And yes, we can paint if it’s over 35 degrees – no need to wait till summer! We’d much rather do your exterior work in winter/spring. Please call us to have your property taken care of properly. (205) 422-0710. Call anytime.
PaintDoctorMD Residential Painting in Hoover, Mountain Brook - Specializing in painting residential homes & condos in Hoover, Homewood, Mountain Brook, and Greater Birmingham since 2005. Free estimates, 5 year warranty, references available
It occurred to me today that everyone always shows off their before and after photos, but no one really shows the ugly prep phase. It ain’t pretty, but it’s essential. Clicking on the photo below and zooming in will show you the state that the wood trim around the upper windows was left in after pressure washing. Raw, exterior wood requires oil-based primer before painting. The lower half has had this treatment and is now ready for paint. The transformation phase is not attractive – but it’s absolutely vital.