When you see that your walls begin to look drab, or paint has begun to chip and peel, then it’s time for you to give your interior a makeover. House painting in San Ramon will do the trick. However, you must have some information on how to achieve a successful interior painting job which requires care, as well as the proper methods and techniques. It would help if you are backed up by experience. If you have all these, then do-it-yourself house painting in San Ramon should be relatively easy.

Here are the steps to successful house painting in San Ramon:

1. Before everything else, remove all the furniture, fixtures and wall hangings. It will be much easier for you to move around and do your job while prepping the surfaces and painting. If there are items that are immovable such as huge and heavy furniture, then cover them with drop cloths, preferably the ones made of canvas. Canvas is better as drop cloths than plastic because, although plastic can catch paint, the paint will not be absorbed. Besides, plastic drop cloths are slippery and can cause accidents while you are painting.

2. Prep the walls. Clean your walls to be sure they are free of dust, oil, or grime, molds, etc. Use a simple cleaning solution using mild soap and water to scrub the walls clean. Be sure to rinse it well to make sure the wall is thoroughly free of soap residue. Clean walls will help the paint to adhere better. You will also want the walls to be completely dry before you begin painting.

3. Repair and fill in any cracks or flaws in the wall with caulk or spackle, for a better-looking surface before it gets painted. Scrape away the excess spackle and allow the surface to dry. Not all spackle is made the same; some are made to dry faster than the others. When the spackle is dry, sand it smooth.

4. If you are deciding to paint any trim, molding or baseboards, you will want to start painting them first before you start on the rest of the walls. To do this properly, dab a small amount of paint to your brush. Start painting the trim, molding, and baseboards with long, even strokes. This is done to avoid overlapping brush marks.

5. Remove electric plug covers by using a flathead screwdriver. If some of the outlet covers are unique from each other, mark them so you know where they need to be put back and installed again. To avoid losing the screws, place the cover and screws in a baggie or a cup.

6. Use a low-adhesive tape to cover along the trim or windows to keep the paint from seeping onto the surface. If you have painted the trim first, cover it completely with tape, leaving only the walls exposed. After you finish painting, peel and remove the tape gently while the paint is still wet.

7. Priming may not be necessary, but it is recommended. While there are many primers sold on the market, and there are also paints available that have primer in them. In using just the primer, fill your brush or rollers with it but not to the point that it’s dripping. Paint with the primer starting from the top of the wall and move down to prevent the dust from being moved upward. If you paint the trim prior to painting the walls and get a little paint on the wall, it’s ok, as long as you are able to paint over it.

After you have done all the preparations, then you’re on the way for a good painting job. If you have followed all of these steps, you’ll have successful house painting in San Ramon if you decide to do the project yourself. Otherwise, you can also hire a professional painting contractor to do the painting for you.

Caulking and house painting in San Ramon will not only make your homes appear more beautiful, but they can also save you money from paying too much on your energy bills.

You still can’t see the connection? Well, if you want to reduce energy waste and save money from paying more in energy bills, you can begin it by caulking and painting your walls. You may not know it, but filling all those small cracks and gaps in your wall surfaces will help reduce wasted energy. This will result in lower utility bills. With all the surfaces caulked and painted, they will help make cooling and heating your home more efficient.

If the cracks in your exterior walls are small but otherwise numerous, they are the equivalent of having a two-square-foot hole or a small window that is left open all year. So the next time you receive another high electricity bill, determine if the cracks and holes in your walls could be the reason for this upswing in your energy costs.

Most homeowners fail to realize how much energy is wasted on a daily basis because the walls are not sealed and painted properly. Many think that the wall is solid and seemingly immovable, but the truth is that a wall can have a “life” of its own. It constantly expands and contracts in reaction to the humidity and temperature.

The wall’s movement is the very reason why old caulk splits and cracks, and this will lead to more problems, aside from wasted energy and high utility bills. You may experience chilly drafts (gusts of air), and seeping moisture behind the trim if there is a long period of rain. It’s only a matter of time before you recognize the damage in your home including mold and mildew stains on the wall.

Holes in the surface, in particular, will collect dirt and dust. Insects may also likely find their way inside them and make them their home, which you don’t wish to see. Unsealed walls also give way to rotting, warping, and splintering wood. These can be repaired but this can be costly. So rather than spend money on all those expensive repairs, it is better to prevent these problems by sealing and painting.

Check your walls for gaps, holes or cracks, both on your interior and exterior walls. It should be done regularly. Pay particular attention to areas that have the most gaps and fissures. These would be the door frames, windows, baseboards, and trim.

After discovering those holes or gaps, your next step will be to properly fill them. You can do this yourself by applying putty or caulk , or you can hire painting contractors who server San Ramon residents.

There are two types of caulking — the latex-based type and the silicon-based type. The latex-based caulk is the one that you can paint, but you can also possibly use silicon-based caulk as a painting material, that is if you know how to prepare it. Get a cloth and dab it with mineral spirits or paint thinner. Rub this onto the caulking and allow it to dry. Once dried, the next step is to apply two thin coats of oil-based primer. Be sure to allow the first to dry completely before going on to apply the second coat. Next, paint the primed surface with the color of your choice in two coats, allowing the paint to dry thoroughly between coats.

When using the silicon-based caulk, first rub it with regular rubbing alcohol, then followed this with two coats of shellac, allowing it to dry before applying the second. Then finish it with paint. You can also choose to use the latex-based caulk to paint over the surface finished with a silicon-based caulk. Although this is possible that this method would work, it would be best to test it first because not all caulks are formulated to accept any other types of caulk.

Caulking serves several purposes. Besides helping the paint to adhere better, filling cracks and fissures can also help lower your electricity bills and repair costs. Caulking should one task you do when you do house painting in San Ramon, especially if your walls have significant flaws. A better-looking wall can also means big savings on energy costs.

When house painting in San Ramon, property owners want to make sure they hire a qualified paint contractor. This is true when they consider how to improve the look and quality of their home. It may be difficult to make a decision because there are so many painting contractors in the area, so here are some important tips to help you in hiring the right paint contractor.

1. Take time to ask around. Get referrals from friends, neighbors, and acquaintances who will tell you about their good (or bad) experiences with painting contractors. You may ask for referrals from several paint companies, too. When you have a list of referrals from paint contractors, be sure to take the time to contact them.
2. Get at least three estimates from the contractors, more depending on the size of the job. Similar jobs may have varying painting rates. If you call a contractor in San Ramon but the contractor won’t come to your location and offer a free-estimate, you can go to the next contractor on your list. After talking to several contractors who offer estimates, compare the estimates. Ask them for a copy of their contract to see if the estimate includes warranty information and anything related to completing the work on schedule. If the companies are remarkably different from each other, don’t be afraid to ask what’s not being done or what things they’re skimping on (paint, painting materials, etc.). Don’t also hesitate to talk with the contractor you’ve chosen if another contractor has a lower price. Chances are your choice contractor will lower the price because they want your job. However, be reasonable; don’t ask the contractor to lower their price too much.
3. Once you’ve decided on the contractor, read their contract thoroughly in order to fully understand its terms and conditions, and other considerations. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you find things in the contract that you don’t understand. A good contractor will help you in reviewing your contract before you sign it, to make sure you fully understand it and have all of your questions answered.

Some of those questions that you may want to ask to your contractor are as follows:

• Do you have insurance? And what does your insurance cover in particular?
• Do you have the proper/required license? (Only ask this question if the state requires licensing)
• How many coats of paint does this estimate include?
• Is the removal of furniture part of the estimate or will I have to move the furniture out before you start painting?
• Does the quoted price include prep and clean up or is that extra?
• Are there tasks that would increase the price before the work is completed? What are the procedures regarding those additional expenses?
• Are you a member of any local or national painting contractor associations?
• Do you do the job yourself or is it subcontracted out to others?
• What brand of paint do you use?
• Can you provide references? If the contractor offers you a list of references, make time to call those people listed. Don’t just ask them if they’re happy with the contractor’s performance. Ask them other relevant questions such as:
  1. Was the work completed in the time they quoted?
  2. Did you and your contractor encounter problems during the course of the project? And what did the contractor do to solve these problems?
  3. Did the contractor arrive to the site on time?
  4. Did they clean up thoroughly after the work was completed?

Before the contractor leaves after the job is done, make sure that they will accompany you in your inspection of their work. This will allow you time to discuss with your contractor about certain areas that the contractor might have missed during the project. It will allow the contractor to correct these slights. Most contractors understand you will want to do this before paying them the final payment. They know some contractors, once they’re paid, make it hard for you to call them back to correct any flaws they made.

Hiring a qualified painting contractor when you have to do house painting in San Ramon may take a bit of time and research. You want to have the best quality painting job for your property. Doing some work before hiring a qualified contractor will benefit you in the long run.

When homeowners are house painting San Ramon, there are certain styles that many homeowners want to apply in their own homes. One of the popular styles is the Tuscan-inspired look. If you don’t have an idea what a Tuscan-style home is, it evokes of the traditional, Old World European style decor influenced by the natural environment in the countryside of Tuscany, Italy.

A Tuscan-style dwelling reminds you of warm, welcoming colors, rustic and sun-baked appearance. When you do house painting in San Ramon, incorporate the elements that remind you of Tuscany. This might include textured walls with an aged and weathered appearance, materials such as elegantly wrought iron accents, terra-cotta tiles, leather, marble, copper and wood. The colors that are mostly associated with Tuscan style are dark warm brown, rust red, burnt orange, sunshine yellow, olive green, and deep Mediterranean blue. As a result, a Tuscan-inspired style is quite versatile, as it can appear informal, rustic, or formal.

Contrary to appearance, the look is amazingly simple to achieve, if you only take the proper steps when house painting in San Ramon. Tuscan style is really popular, there are elements that are readily available in many retail and home improvement stores. You can achieve this rustic but elegant Tuscan look for your home by doing it yourself, or by hiring a licensed painting contractor to make sure your rooms have the best possible quality.

When you want to make the Tuscan style for your room by doing it yourself, here are some tips to help you out:

Start with a neutral paint color as a base coat, which will either be simple eggshell, off-white or very light brown. Leave the basic coat for at least 24 hours before you move on to the next procedure. This will also allow you to decide whether you want to add texture (for effect) or simply color.

If you want to add texture, you can do this by mixing some of your base color with joint compound. The mixture will be similar in a consistency to cake batter. To achieve the stucco-like texture, you can either use a comb-edged spreader, or a regular spreader. Add the mixture thicker in some areas and thinner in other areas to create an uneven, weathered surface.

If you are not adding texture, use a rag or sponge to add a wash of color, if you want only color over your wall’s base coat. Allow it to dry for at least 24 hours before doing the next step. After this, you can add details to your wall by using many painting techniques. Use a stencil to create grape vines, leaves, olive branches, sponge on brick or stone shapes. The Tuscan style also reminds you crumbling stone patios, so create that “cracked” and antique effect by adding a crackle glaze. To make it more magnificent, paint a fresco or mural that will remind you of the Mediterranean landscape and scenery — rolling hills and poplar trees, grape vines, olive branches, or terra cotta buildings.

Adding depth to your walls is also a good way to give your room a more dramatic look. Achieve this by using two accent colors. Start off with combining a lighter accent paint color (such as yellow) and water. Mix them together until it becomes well-blended and almost thin. Dip about 2.5 inches of your paintbrush into the solution. Don’t wipe the excess off; instead, leave the paintbrush almost dripping. Apply it on the walls to make uneven lines, then dab the walls with a damp cloth to soften the lines. Next, mix a cool, darker paint color (e.g., olive green) with water until it becomes fully diluted. Use this mixture in painting diagonal lines to the walls using a flat-edged paintbrush, then use a damp cloth again to blend with the background color. Repeat this step with a warm accent color such as brick red. This will give an antiquated, weather-beaten look to our walls. You can make adjustments or correct slight errors, such as lightening too dark areas with a lighter accent solution. Add missing accents on some spots.

Let the details dry for up to 24 hours. After that, seal the walls to add extra protection as well as to keep them looking great. Ideally, two coats of clear sealer are applied. Fixtures and accessories add the final touch. House painting in San Ramon is all it takes to make your room magically transformed with an old-world, Tuscan charm.