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When a homeowner decides to repaint their house, put a fresh coat of paint on or just touch up certain areas of the house, he or she rarely consider the possibility of hiring the wrong painters. They may consider the possibility that these painters will do a poor job, but never really think about what it would be like to be victim of a scam.

Being the unwitting victim of a house painting scam can never be fun. Sure maybe your name will make it into the local section of a neighborhood newspaper, but not in a good way. When considering possible house painting contractors, there are certain criteria each should meet, and some may lie outside of skill as a painter. Perhaps the most important thing to consider is whether or not the contractor is trustworthy. The best way to avoid a house painting scam is to realize when a contractor is less than genuine in their interest in painting your home.

Some contractors may present shiny, professional looking brochures or presentation packages, only to disappear or flake out after being paid. Others may tout their skill and expertise as professional painters and may even lie about their previous work, only to leave a shoddy and poorly done painting job. These may be some of the common tricks of those looking to scam homeowners into paying top dollar for a less-than professionally done job.

Another house painting scam that may be popular among less professional contractors involves making a good first impression and then flaking out for much of the rest of the job. After they dazzle their potential clients with lofty promises, they may show up for the first day of work. On this day they may be on time, may be kind and courteous and leave what work they get done looking fantastic and promising. The next day they may not show up at all.

The third day they may not show up either. This may be a device used to hook many clients at once and complete each job in stages instead of focusing on one house at a time. This may be the most frustrating experience for a homeowner and a very clever house painting scam. Because of the quality first impression, the homeowner may be slower to realize that they have been scammed.

The excellent work and courteous nature of the painters may cement the homeowner’s trust for a few days until the crew can come back. Eventually though, the homeowner should realize that they are not getting the same contractor they had been duped into believing they were getting.

So what should homeowners look for when deciding on a good painting contractor? It is usually easy to determine when somebody is being overly kind or when his or her kindness is forced. Go on the Internet or ask neighbors about their work.

Look for contractors who keep a clean job site and show an interest in their clients’ ideas and projects. These are the best ways to avoid a scam, as those who are interested in providing good work for their clients will not flake out midway through a job.

More information on College Works Painting, College Works Painting community benefits for students and College Works Painting FAQ in your area is just a click away.

I am amateur in the field of plumbing and planning for a DIY plumbing project. I have many queries regarding the project like the basic requirements to start off and so on. Could you also guide me on the best tools I should opt and if its good if I go with tubing for water lines and PVC for the drain lines for primary supplies.

Every work has its own respect and uniqueness and to excel in that work one needs a lot of practice and experience. None one can master it just by knowing the basics. It is the number of pipes you weld and solder that makes the difference. Once you master the art of simple things then huge projects are real fun, provided you show true interest in equipping yourself with what the art needs from you and what you need from it.

First things first: Always remember to check that a superior quality tubing cutter is available with you for the process of copper tubing wheels. This is a vital tool for plumbing and features a hardened steel wheel that is rotated around the copper tube. As the tool is tightened, the revolving of the tool cuts the copper with the cutting wheel of the tool. In case you have plans to use a hacksaw, it is reminded that it may leave burrs whereas this tool would ensure that the cuts are properly made and that the tube is free from any burrs during the cutting process
The first and foremost requirement of the plumbing process is the torch. Obviously there are different types which work differently with a common purpose, i.e. to make leak-free joints. On one hand the propane torch for joints that require less heat, on the other hand, one can choose the acetylene torch for solder joints. Things like small circular wire brushes and abrasive paper are those that go with the former without saying. These undergo wear and tear frequently.

The next essential lever for managing the smallest corner screws is different sized wrenches. The most common one is the 14 inch pipe wrench which works best for adjusting the compression nuts and toilet bolts. The wrench forms a complete set of plumbing tools. Tightening the nuts and fighting with the bolts are now fun with these wrenches.

A person who is to start a diy plumbing project and knows little about it must not forget to carry things like screw drivers. Of course I need not mention that you will need a hammer, tape measure, different levels and all personal safety equipment.

The next must-have is the right angle drill. The work will include lot of drilling work and holes have to be made on huge pvc pipes for different purposes. The drill is generally used to build the pipes that are embedded in walls, wall plates etc.

There is another power reciprocating saw which is the next tool that an intelligent plumber ought to possess. The saw can dig big holes into walls and floors and are put in use at the initial stage of construction, i.e., before the walls of the building are given the final touch.

The list of tools that a plumber must carry is an endless one. But one cannot forget to mention the hand-held flaring tool. The tool has its own importance as it gives looks to the bathrooms and wash basins of the new house. It is actually a three-and-quarter inch soft copper, mainly used to connect small pipelines at home. You can do it all yourself with this tool without having to wait for days for a plumber to set things right at home.

We are now very close to what is called a complete plumbing kit. But it will really remain incomplete if the pipe threading dies which have been used by me for threading the black iron-pipe for the work of the gas line. The cutting tools, pipe, ratchet and the dies etc are available with the pipe for customizing the plumbing in the house.

A world where you mould your pipes, tilt and bend them to give them the shape of your mind, hit the nuts and bolts as many times and letting the melted wires and pipes cool is a work that all would enjoy and do the project with pleasure. I can prepare uncountable list of tools for plumbing as there are different requirements for different people. The only thing you need in abundance is the spirit and the interest in gathering the tools and working individually on them.

It is always better to put hands into high quality tools. Though the cost is high, the result of such tools is guaranteed. I would get into a wholesale dealer shop that sells only plumbing tools and there you get a plethora of choices. Some of the dos and dont you must follow to make the project successful. Greasing and galvanizing the tools increases their life. Make it a point to dry the tools if they are wet to avoid unnecessary rusting of your brand new tools. There is also a great advantage to remain on the side of a costly saw-blade as the counterparts do not result in sharper and straighter cuts.

Mark Dunne is a successful freelance writer providing advice on your a number of topics like Home Improvements and Ventilation if you have time drop by his site for some tips and information. http://www.diystuff.com

If you live in an older home, chances are that you own a fireplace. A lot of times, it is the focal point of a living room or den. A fireplace is a great source for supplementary heat, and in these very trying financial times, every penny counts. If you can save money by keeping your fireplace up and running, then making the necessary repairs or upgrades is essential.

You will need to inspect the fireplace and chimney. This means inside and out. If you are unable to safely scale a ladder and the roof, you should consider hiring a reputable professional. If you are confident, set aside a half day to inspect the entire fireplace.

It is difficult to detect chimney damage from the ground so secure a ladder, preferably one that has hooks and climb on the roof. If you can tell that the chimney is leaning, you will probably need a professional because serious structural damage may not be something that you can tackle.

There are generally four parts of a chimney:

The Stack - The actual bricks and mortar portion of the chimney. It surrounds the flue and points north from the roof.

The Flashing - The actual base of the chimney stack. It securely connects the stack to the roof of the house.

The Flue - The duct that carries exhaust from the fireplace through the chimney and cap to the atmosphere.

The Cap - The slanted top which fits around the outside top of the flue and over the stack.

You want to make sure that none of the bricks are cracked or crumbling. If so these will need replacing. If the base, or flashing, is not connected securely to either the stack or the roof, it will need to be repaired or replaced to avoid water leaks. The flue should be sturdy with no deterioration or cracks. If so, call in the help of a professional. You will need to check the cap for wear and tear. You will need to fill in any cracks, but if it is deteriorated it will need replacing.

You can now check the fireplace. The four parts of a fireplace are:

The Hearth & Chamber - The brick portion of the fireplace. The chamber is where the logs are burned.

The Mantel - The outer wooden portion framing the fireplace. There should be a shelf at the top portion of the mantel.

The Flue - See Above

The Damper - The plate that adjusts to either open or close the flue.

When checking the hearth and chamber, make sure to check for cracked or broken bricks and crumbling mortar. Damaged bricks need to be replaced. Be sure to research the exact type of bricks that you will need as there are different types for different needs. You will need to replace the mantel if there is any smoke or fire damage or if you are redecorating. As stated earlier, there should be no cracks or deterioration in the flue. Lastly, the damper should work and be clean and free of any debris.

Now that you have assessed the damage, if any, you are ready to buy the materials and repair or refurbish your fireplace. It is wise to check the fireplace after every winter so that you can have it repaired before cold weather arrives.

Agee Woodworks is a manufacturer of custom wood fireplace mantles and fireplace shelves. All their products are built by hand to order and shipped directly to you.

Whether you’re staging your home to sell or just thinking about upgrades that will increase the resale value when the time comes, lighting is an aspect of home renovation and maintenance too many of us ignore at our peril. Improper lighting not only dulls a room down, making details hard to see, but it also makes people drowsy.

This is an extremely important detail when you have a home office, for instance, in which you spend a great deal of time. At the very least, make sure all your task lighting sufficiently illuminates the area where you tend to read, sew, or cook, by using a fixture that directs a glare-free light source onto the work surface.

Ambient lighting is used most often in the living room and recreation rooms where a soft level of light is all that’s needed for watching TV or entertaining. Ceiling fixtures used to be the norm for this kind of lighting, but these days, most people like to have floor and table lamps as well as wall fixtures scattered around the room.

If your large room has high ceilings, you can make it appear cozier by creating pools of light with different lamp settings. Some of the smaller lamps look interesting when clustered together, while the shadows created by pierced lanterns can add interest to bare walls. When you’ve got an attractive light fixture or group of lamps, they can form a focal point of the room, instead of simply accenting one.

That being said, lighted plants — lit either by spotlights in the floor or mini garden spikes in the pot itself — can be as effective as the more traditional accent-lit pictures or statues. Don’t forget specialty light bulbs either when accenting with light: they go way beyond eco-friendly and money-saving these days, with colored light bulbs, compact fluorescents and decorative halogen bulbs to name just a few.

If you have installed security lights outside your home, your real estate listing should show a picture of the house at night so potential buyers can see the effect. Flooding an area with light, whether by way of motion detectors or not, is a security feature that people like to see, and it can boost the perceived value of a home for a very small investment.

Compare the features and styles offered by many different manufacturers. You may find one type too high tech, another too ornate, and yet another too European fusion, but then again you might not, and anyway, there’s always plenty of others to choose from.

Variety is the spice of life, and lighting manufacturers understand this as well as anyone.

Lighting by Gregory (http://lightingbygregory.com/lighting/category/lbl_lighting.html) is a retailer that sells LBL lighting. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

One of the fastest (and most affordable) ways to change the look of any room in your home is to install a ceiling fan. If you’re updating your look, you’d probably want a sleek contemporary piece, with blades in brushed nickel, steel or chrome.

Manufacturers such as Minca Aire, Casablanca and Hunter offer these ultra-modern ceiling centerpieces. If you’re going for a more tropical look, with rattan and bamboo perhaps, Tommy Bahama fans vie with those from Fanimation and Hunter: you can choose from plantation style or antique; old world or heritage. Once you’ve chosen the design, you’ll need to select the materials and detailing that best enhance your decor.

Fans are certainly more than simply decorative, so you can buy your Mica Aire or Tommy Bahama fans knowing that your heating and cooling bills will go down and that you’re doing your bit for energy conservation to boot! In hot weather, set the fan rotation at counter-clockwise (when you’re looking up at the ceiling fan).

You should feel the air being blown down onto you. Even if the air that’s being blown down is warm, the current will make any sweat on your skin evaporate, which is how the cooling sensation occurs. In colder seasons, reverse the rotation. Now the fan will pull the cooler air near the floor up to the warm ceiling, which process forces the warmer air that’s trapped near the ceiling down to you.

Fans can be pretty heavy, and weigh up to about 35 pounds. In the US, the electrical junction box from which the fan is hung must be one that is approved by the National Electric Code. In other words, you probably don’t have the right junction box if you simply replaced an ordinary ceiling light fixture with a ceiling fan.

You should also remember to have the fan mounted as high as possible. By law there must be seven feet between the blades and the floor; however, that is often not high enough, especially when a tall person happens to stretch beneath a fan or you’re carrying a long object that can get caught in the spinning blades.

An angled or cathedral ceiling is certainly the best type of ceiling on which to mount a ceiling fan with respect to being high enough (although dusting or oiling the unit or replacing light bulbs requires a tall ladder — and a steady hand).

During installation of a fan on this type of ceiling, it’s very likely that you’ll need a downrod or added bracket, so mention this factor to the salesperson when during your purchase.

Lighting by Gregory (http://lightingbygregory.com/lighting/category/tmybah.html) is a retailer that sells Tommy Bahama fans. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

Access lighting is an inexpensive way you can add drama or whimsy to any room in your house, or even to the outside of your home. In addition to the safety features of lighting up the outdoors, you can really add style with your choice of outside access lighting.

Just a few of the sources of outdoor lighting include bulkheads, spotlights, wall lamps, post lanterns and sconces. When you’re back in the house, and you want to light up some specifics posters or framed art, or add emphasis to a corner or area of a room with directional lighting, try track lighting or picture lights.

It should be noted that track lighting is not the same as a strip light or vanity strip, both of which serve as more functional than decorative (although the designs can be stunning). You’ll usually find strip lighting mounted in the bathroom above the mirror.

If you’re not sure what to do to brighten a low ceiling or light narrow hallways, a flush mount can be installed directly into the ceiling or onto the wall. If it’s a stairwell that needs some pizzazz, you can increase both safety and enhance aesthetics with the use of step lights.

These are very nice at night, especially if there are children or seniors in the home. Sometimes access lighting is used for specific tasks, the most common being perhaps the swing arm lamp often used in bedrooms as a source of bedside lighting. Because of the design of the lamp, the beam of light can be directed by the user.

Task lighting is also use in other cases where directed spots of bright light are needed, such as in a sewing room for needlework, or (in the shape of a hanging fixture), above a kitchen island or a pool table.

Access lighting such as chandeliers are not just for the dining room anymore! You’ll see both standard and mini chandeliers (called chandelettes) in foyers, bedrooms and even hallways and bathrooms, especially those with higher ceilings. The styles are so varied that you can go as ornate or as casual as you wish, using candelabra lamps or halogen lamps, and add a touch of class and glamour to any room.

Pendants are great for adding some attitude to your lighting design. If you’ve got a breakfast nook, for instance, you can center a pendant above the table. Styles range from contemporary or casual to transitional or traditional, so you’re likely to find something that meets your requirements in terms of lighting, size, look and price.

Lighting by Gregory (http://lightingbygregory.com/lighting/category/access.html) is a retailer that sells Access Lighting. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

The drop in real estate prices has resulted in many home sellers wanting to find ways to increase the resale value of their homes. One of the best ways to do this is to remodel and wall tiles can be used to achieve just.

This is ontop of their other aesthetic use which to add beauty and increase the attractiveness of a home. Remodelling of houses has a significant effect on the market value of the house. A very important area in a house and which increases its value is the bathroom and the kitchen. These can be rejuvenated with a touch of the right wall tiles.

Though other areas like the bathroom, backyard, porches can also be remodelled , it is the kitchen and the bathroom that can be the main selling points of a house. Wall tiles are available in a variety of colours, textures and types the most common being porcelain, stone, glass, ceramic as well as marble.

More and more people are giving walls their due attention when it comes to remodeling because transforming a wall is the easiet way to transform a home. Porcelain wall tiles are the most common although we are starting to see marble rising in significance.

Marble is very elegant although it still costs more than its counterparts porcelain and ceramic and therefore is reserved for those with a higher budget.

Marble is actually a modified form of limestone which is derived from metamorphic rock and originates when there are chemical and structural changes in limestone. It contains calcite which is a crystalline form of calcium carbonate CaCo3.

Marble has a very elegant feel and appearanceand is attractive because it is quite resistant against weather. Because of this, it was traditionally used in Roman and Greek buildings so as to add grace and elegance to them.

There are many sculptures in many ancient cities which are a testimony of the elegance of marble in construction and modeling. Today, marble is mostly used in office buildings and homes of higher income individuals and families. It is also used in artistic work such as renovations and remodelling.

One thing with the use of marble is that it comes in a variety of colours, designs, patterns and shapes which makes it the most preferred choice for beautification and decoration of dwellings and offices. It adds to the value of the structure.

Marble tiles have indeed proved itself not only in decoration of floors but it has a great impact on the beauty of any part of the house as a decoration alternative.

It gives a new life to every part of a house in which it is used. It makes it look alive and more sophisticated and elegant. Marble tiles can really do wonders to change the look entirely.

As far as shaping marble is concerned, it is quite flexible and can be easily given various shapes which helps to fit it in to various structures and sculptures of various shapes and sizes. It is a really good alternative for walls and adds to its beauty and appeal.

Looking for ceramic wall tiles? Check our complete guide to complete wall tiles when buying.

Right through the beginning of time, man has used wood for various purposes, and the biggest reason for this is that it is one of the easiest products to obtain. To get wood, one has to do nothing but just cut down a tree which involves very little use of technology.

Man did these in medieval times and in modern times, the craftsmen have learnt a lot of new techniques and making furniture out of wood is not the same. Te designs look very attractive and flashy. And this is the reason wood is the main requirement for furniture making.

In particular, wooden shelves have been really popular because they blend perfectly with the rest of the furniture and are easy to assemble, and not to forget the fact that they do look really beautiful. But recently Glass shelves have also gained popularity and the reason of which can be known here.

Glass as a material looks attractive and reflective. Wherever you see any modern interior design magazines, you will find that glass blends in a very attractive manner with green plants which makes a room not only professional but also livable and yes it also makes the room spacious. So overall it can be said that glass is the future of living room and bedroom decor.

Glass is also easier to maintain when compared with wood. Wood has it side effects when it comes to cleaning because it requires timely dusting. Special care has to be taken when cleaning wood because it cannot be cleaned with just water and a sponge or a piece of cloth. It requires a special cleansing veneer which makes wood shinier and long lasting.

But it goes with its disadvantages too like the veneer is expensive and may not be easily available. And also everyone cannot apply the veneer because there is a specific procedure to be followed.

But when it comes to glass, there is absolutely no need for any costly material and needs only a cheap cleansing agent like Cleanex which is available easily. Also its application is very simple and requires just a cloth or sponge.

And when it comes to the case of strength, glass is no way behind wood. Wood, which has been used for a long time to make furniture has and advantage of being resilient product and good looks. But Glass is again taking over wood in this matter because of its added strength.

The glass used for shelves and the one used for making glass products are no way related., because the glass used in shelves is specially treated to be strong enough. This one is called tempered glass which is like a lot stronger and resilient than the normal glass and has the capability to handle high pressures when heavier items are placed on it.

This fact cannot be ignored because we place many things like heavy books and stereo systems and TV and we expect it to handle every possible pressure.

Looking for custom glass shelves? Check our complete guide to the best glass shelves when buying.

Home Improvement Scams are on the rise.

If the contractor can’t provide proof of insurance and proof of Workman’s Compensation coverage, look for a different contractor. As a homeowner, you’re liable for everything that happens on your property, including uninsured injuries to your contractor’s crew. You want your contractor covered six ways from Sunday to protect your interests.

1. Ask for References
Ask the contractor to provide references from people you can talk to about the work the contractor has performed. A professional will have a long list of satisfied customers happy to share their success stories. The fly-by-nights won’t, unless they give you the number of their second cousin once removed.

Call the references and ask them about the work the contractor performed. Was it done quickly? On time? Any glitches? Any surprises? Did they clean up after the work was done? You get the idea. Of course, remember, no contractor is going to give you the telephone number of a dissatisfied customer, but you might pick up a few warning signs from previous customers, things like they started work each morning at 6:00 A.M. or they left coffee cups and cigarette butts all over my yard.

Okay, not the end of the world, but an indication of the quality of service you’re likely to receive.
He or she may be a skilled craftsperson, but if she/he lacks people skills or a sense of customer service, you may be left with a great job and a bad feeling about the way it was completed. It’s a judgment call, but something worth considering.

2. Ask to See Examples of the Contractor’s Work
Again, the good ones will be proud to strut their stuff and show you just how good they are. Of course, it’s unlikely that total strangers will want you walking through their homes checking the newly-installed electrical outlets.

However, a general contractor, a driveway contractor, a painting company or landscaper should be able to provide addresses of homes where work has been completed to the homeowner’s satisfaction. Drive by and have a look.

3. Get at least three estimates.
Another common sense tip, but some words of warning.
Don’t necessarily go with the low-ball estimate. Use it as one more piece of information. If the lowest is also the most professional and has a pile of references, fine. The thing is, you may spend a few more dollars to get the best quality work, but the money will soon be forgotten. The work won’t.

Another cautionary note: if two of the estimates are close and one is much higher or much lower, the odd one out should be eliminated. The contractor either missed the project parameters (which will cost you more money) or he’s low-balling the estimate, only to discover unseen damage that would cost you plenty.

4. Review your insurance policies at least once a year.
Reading over an insurance policy has all the appeal of a trip to the dentist. Okay, it’s not fun, but it is necessary to protect yourself and your home.

Let’s say you carry full replacement coverage on your most valuable asset, your home. Good for you. Now, let’s say you put on a $50,000 addition to your $200,000 house. If you’re like most people, you won’t remember to contact your insurance company to let them know about this increase in replacement value. And, if you don’t, it’s not covered in the event of loss.

Any insurer bases its annual premiums on certain given the facts. So, if you initially sign-up to cover 2000 square feet, but your addition adds another 500 square feet to the structure, your insurance company won’t pay the whole claim when you’re faced with a catastrophic loss.

If you’re planning to have work done on the old homestead, up your coverage for homeowner’s liability. Once again, if a worker is seriously injured while replacing your roof, you may be facing a lawsuit even though the contractor has his or her own insurance coverage.

As you make improvements to your home, make sure to up your coverage. If you swap out old, drafty windows for highly-efficient replacements, the value of your home has increased accordingly. Your insurance coverage should, too.

5. Read the contract until you understand it.
I’ve talked about the importance of reading the contract between you and the home improvement specialist, but let’s get into some specifics. Again, it may not be the most exciting thing you’ll do today, but it will save you headaches, heartaches and cash, so forge ahead.

Read the entire contract including the fine print, especially the fine print. Pull out the magnifying glass and review everything.

If you don’t understand a clause in the contract, ask the contractor for clarification. If you still don’ understand, ask for further clarification. Never feel stupid for asking questions and demanding understandable answers. Even the legal eagles have trouble with some of this stuff.

If it’s a contract for a big, expensive project, pay your attorney to review the paperwork. It’ll cost you a few dollars, but could save you thousands! And isn’t your peace of mind worth it?

If you’re reading a contract for a large project, as in a large pile of your cash, have your attorney read over the document with an eye for problem areas. It’ll cost a few hundred bucks for the legal read, but (1) it could save you thousands and (2) isn’t your peace of mind worth $250? Mine is.

If money’s tight, ask a knowledgeable relative to give the document a careful read-through. The point is, don’t sign a contract for a large job without at least one other set of eyeballs reading through all of that legalese.

As I said earlier, never a sign a contract that contains blank spaces that will be filled in back at the office. Signing an incomplete contract is like giving a total stranger your ATM PIN. Numbers can be fudged, clauses added the fact is, when you sign an open contract, you really don’t know what you’re signing.

You want a contract that lists the stages at which additional payments will be made to the contractor. These interim payments shouldn’t be tied to dates on the calendar. Instead, they should be tied to work milestones.

Let’s say you’ve got a contract that states you will pay the contractor a second $10,000 on July 23, 30 days from now. Well, where’s the incentive to work on your project rather than another one? The contactor knows she gets another $10k on the 23rd whether work has been done on your project or not. On the other hand, if the contract states that the contractor receives that $10,000 payment when the framing is done, now there’s incentive to get the framing done. Tie your payments to work milestones rather than calendar dates.

6. Never, ever sign a contract under pressure from a sales rep or contractor.

The high-pressure tactics are common with scammers, but even some legit contractors will tell you to sign today or you’ll miss out on our low, low rates. Here’s my rule of thumb: if it’s a good deal today, it will be a good deal tomorrow and if it isn’t, it wasn’t a good deal to begin with.

Always remember “There is no deal you can’t walk away from.”

Clayton Mekelburg is the author of
A Thief On Your Doorstep,a Home owners guide on the proper way to buy home improvements e book, and CEO of tibi Inc. More information is available on protecting yourself when buying home improvements at http://www.homeimprovementbuyer.com

A fresh coat of paint is the most inexpensive way to “remodel” a room. Thanks to high quality coatings and applicators, even first-time painters can achieve professional-quality results. To get a great-looking finish coat and the beautiful, long-lasting results you expect, take the time to ensure that the surface to be painted is clean, dry and smooth and coated with the correct primer.

And remember,also carry all the tools you’ll need for surface preparation - such as ladders, wire brushes, paint scrapers, putty knives, wood filler and sparkling paste - to prepare a surface for painting.

Getting Ready to Paint

Preparing the room before beginning your project not only makes it easier for you to paint, it also protects your home from inadvertent splatters or spills.

1)Remove draperies, pictures, mirrors, area rugs, hardware (if possible), and switch and receptacle cover plates.
2)Move all furniture to the center of the room or the room, if possible. Cover all furniture with drop cloths.
3)Tape off woodwork and tape down plastic drop cloths.
4)Wrap plastic around light fixtures, and use masking tape to cover any hardware you can’t remove.
5)Open a window or door to ensure good ventilation.
6)Clean the surface as needed.
7)Gaps between walls, ceilings, crown moldings and other interior trim can be filled with the appropriate caulk after priming the surface.

In addition to friendly expert advice, you can find drop cloths, masking tape, caulk and more at your neighborhood paint store.

Caution: When using oil-based coatings, keep paint away from heat, sparks and open flame. Do not smoke. Extinguish all flames, pilot lights and heaters. Turn off stoves, electrical tools, appliances and any other sources of electrical ignition. While painting and until all vapors are gone, keep the area well-ventilated.

Clean-up procedures depend largely on the paint you use. Here are guidelines for cleaning up. To maximize your investment on painting tools, make sure to clean them right after use.

Latex Paints

1)Clean any spills before they dry with a paper towel dampened with water.
2)Clean brushes, rollers and other tools with soap and water.
3)After cleaning, flush spraying equipment with mineral spirits to prevent rusting. Follow manufacturer’s safety recommendations when using mineral spirits.

Oil Alkyd Paints

1)Clean any spills before they dry with a paper towel dampened with mineral spirits or paint thinner.
2)Oil-based (alkyd) paint must be removed from tools with mineral spirits or paint thinner.
3)Pour the cleaning material into a clean bucket and rinse brushes and rollers well.
4)When done, allow the solids to settle out of the cleaner, then strain the liquid back into the original container for reuse.
5)Allow the settled solids to air-dry away from children, pets or open flames, then dispose of the container in the trash.

Brushes should be kept in their original wrapper or paper-wrapped in a manner that retains their original shape before storing.

Protect Your Paint Job

Wait at least two weeks before washing the newly painted surface. After that, clean with a mild household detergent and a soft cloth or sponge.

Tips to Protect the Environment

Try to buy only the amount of paint you need so there is little to dispose of when you complete your project. If you do have leftovers, follow these guidelines:

1)Save small amounts of leftover paint for future touch-ups. To keep it fresh, place a layer of plastic wrap over the mouth of the can before replacing the lid. Pound down the lid securely.
2)Check with your local waste collector to see if it accepts dried latex paint. If so, place the open can in an airy spot away from children and pets. When the paint is completely dry, put it in the trash.
3)Seal oil/alkyd paints in the can and store them safely away from heat sources until you can take them to an appropriate waste-disposal site, such as community paint/stain collection events where you can safely dispose of leftover paints.
4)Never pour paint, stain, or any other coating down a drain, into a storm sewer or anywhere else that might contaminate the environment.

Kishor Nayak is a Business Consultant working with International clients.I hope you found this article useful. You can learn a lot more about
residential painting, from professionals.