DIY Exterior House Painting Tips

You enjoy multiple benefits simply by painting the exterior of your house. You protect it from the damage that extreme weather conditions bring. You strengthen the exterior and prolong its life and beauty. You enhance your home’s curb appeal and raise its value.

When you decide to paint the exterior of your house yourself, consider these helpful DIY tips.

• Plan ahead.

You have to consider the time of year. You will have a hard time making paint adhere to wet surfaces. Paint also requires ample time to dry. You have to know the weather patterns where you live so that you are able to select a time when the humidity and the probability of rain are both low.

• Choose high quality paint.

High quality paint may be a bit more expensive upfront. In the long run, however, you will get your money’s worth. The paint will provide better coverage. It also lasts longer; you will not have to repaint again and again.

• Prep the landscape.

Painting is certain to be messy. Protect any vegetation on the ground by covering the area. Transfer all grills, hoses, and outdoor furniture. Cover up those which cannot be moved by using drop cloth. Make sure that you wrap the covers securely around the items or to weigh them down efficiently so they stay in place.

• Prep the surface.

If the surface is coarse, uneven, or dirty, you will have a hard time getting the paint to adhere. Make sure you get a clean solid surface by doing the necessary prep work.

Remove all chalky residue, grime, dirt, and mildew from the surface. You can use a power sprayer for this. You can also use a stiff-bristle brush to hand-scrub the surface.

You can only paint over previously painted surfaces if the surface is smooth and in good condition. Remove old paint that has flaked off or blistered.

Make sure that all the nail heads are below the surface. Tap them down using a hammer-and-nail set. Use exterior-grade putty to seal the holes. Sand the putty once it is completely cured.

If you apply new caulk around the trim, doors, and windows, see to it that the caulk you use is paintable.

If you are working over some bare wood, make sure that you prime the wood prior to painting.

Use painter’s tape and plastic sheeting to cover all the lighting fixtures, windows, and doors.

• Replace rotten wood.

Rotten wood will continue to weaken even if you paint over it. You have to replace all rotten wood trim or siding. If the area is small, you can opt to apply a wood hardener and wood filler. Prep and sand the new parts before you apply paint.

• Apply primer.

Before you apply your chosen color coats, make sure that you apply good quality primer. You can also opt to get the more expensive newer technology all-in-one primer-and-paint products that will reduce the total number of coats you need to apply.

• Work your way down from the top.

Let gravity work with you by painting your way from top to bottom. Painting this way will help you to manage streaks and deal with mishaps better.

Ideas for a DIY Kitchen Remodel

Remodeling a kitchen need not be costly and complicated. One can alter the appearance of his kitchen by changing things up by himself.

Engaging in do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, however, may take up more time because there are no assistants, carpenters, painters, and foremen involved. It is just the kitchen owner who will be working by himself.

Despite this, a kitchen owner will be delighted to remodel his kitchen DIY-style because everything will be done according to what he wants. He just has to be patient and persevering because DIY remodeling is a slow step-by-step process.

The overall feel of the kitchen can be altered by repainting it. Gone are the days when a color scheme had to be followed. Kitchen walls and fixtures can now have varying colors to provide a contrasting effect.

A different kind of stain may be applied to wooden furniture. A kitchen owner may choose to use a gray, white, black, or colored stain to make his wooden furniture look brand spanking new.

The lighting of a kitchen can be changed from daylight to incandescent or LED. Window blinds may be installed to match the new colors of the kitchen.

Changing the knobs and pulls of kitchen cabinets will also make a difference. A wooden knob can be replaced with an art deco type while a metallic pull can be replaced with a colored kind.

A kitchen owner can install a custom backsplash made of tiles, adhesive material, or metal sheeting. Adhesive tiles or linoleum may be installed to spruce up the kitchen floor.

Other DIY kitchen projects include making a wooden or concrete countertop, adding wooden or glass shelves, and transforming an antique side table into a storage space.

A kitchen owner may opt to overhaul his cabinets by doing away with the panels to have open shelves instead. He can also install numerous rails, hooks, and racks on the walls and ceiling to hold lightweight utensils.

DIY projects may be challenging because they require creativity, resourcefulness, and patience. But, once completed, DIY projects serve as personal achievements and sources of fulfillment.

Dubai Builds First 3-D Printed Office Building

Image from: http://www.cnet.com/news/dubai-unveils-worlds-first-3d-printed-office-building/

Dubai is known for its unique architecture and structures. So, it is no surprise that this city would be the first to build a 3-D printed office building. Many experts believe 3-D printing is the future of construction.

The office building in Dubai is a fully functional structure. It has electricity, water, air conditioning, and energy-saving amenities. It was printed on a giant 3-D printer measuring 20 feet high and 120 feet long. It took just 17 days to construct and only required about 15 people, including specialists. The cost saving is estimated to be around 50% compared to traditional construction cost.

We can expect to see more of these structures over the next decade. As developers seek cheaper and more efficient methods of building. Right now, the size of the building is limited by the size of the printer. However, larger structures may be built by printing sections and stacking them, similar to Legos. Some of the primary advantages to 3-D printed construction are:

• Time - 3-D construction is estimated to be 50-70% faster than conventional construction.
• Cost - Labor costs are 50-80% less than traditional construction.
• Green - Fewer materials are wasted with 3-D printing, and It is easier to use recycled materials, making these structures more sustainable.
• Custom - 3-D printing allows for more customizable, intricate designs.

3-D printed construction may very well be the future of real estate development. As with any new technology, it will take some time, research, and trial to perfect the method. Those in the real estate development industry should certainly keep a close eye on this technology.

Unique Roofing Challenges in Summer

Summer is here and with it comes some unique roofing challenges. One primary concern in the warm months is ponding water on flat roofs. Ponding water is defined as any water that stands for more than 48 hours. Standing water on a roof can be dangerous and damaging. It is important to understand the consequences of ponding water in the summer, what causes it, and how to fix it. Here, we will examine all these points.

• Mosquitoes - Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes in the summer months. In fact, new york health codes prohibitponding water from April 1 to October 31. Mosquitoes carry a variety of diseases, including the west Nile virus. Because of this,ponding water on flat roofs is a health hazard first and foremost.
• Algae and vegetation - Plant life thrives in warm moist environments. Stagnant water on a roof in the hot summer sun is a perfect place for plant life to grow. Algae and vegetation growth is accelerated during the summer months. This is not just unattractive; it can often cause significant damage to a roof.
• Leaks - Ponding water on a roof can create devastating leaks. Even a small leak can create enormous problems. If a leak goes undetected for a long period of time, it may cause the roof to lose its structural integrity. Water damage can also spread to other areas of a home or building causing further injury.
• Reduces lifespan - Ponding water significantly decreases the performance and lifespan of a roof. In fact, many roof manufacturers void their warranty in the circumstance of ponding water. This is because the flat roof membrane is especially vulnerable to standing water.

Causes

There are a number of factors that lead to stagnant water to pool on a flat roof.

Insufficient drainage

This is the most common reason for a roof to hold water. It is generally not difficult to fix inadequate or obstructed drainage. Scheduled maintenance can help to avoid this situation. However, when it does occur, a thorough cleaning of the gutters and drains will typically correct the problem.

Design

Sometimes pooling water is caused by a design flaw in the roof. This is a more complex problem to solve.These design flaws include poor deflection, sag in the roof structure, incorrectly sized roof, and improperly placed drainage.

Insulation

Compressed or saturated insulation is another common cause of stagnant water on flat roofs. Compression usually occurs when roofing materials are too heavy or during construction when hefty equipment is placed on top of it. Saturation generally occurs because of a leak. Insulation is often very sensitive to water and quickly deteriorates when it becomes wet. The compression or saturation of insulation causes an indentation in the roof where water can pool.

Correcting the problem

The key to correcting a stagnant water problem on a flat roof is to act quickly. You will need to diagnose the problem in order to determine the optimal solution. Some of the most common corrections include:

• Adding roof drains

• Using tapered insulation

• Selecting the best membrane

Standing water on a flat roof can cause significant damage. In summer, it becomes especially important due to increased health risks and rapid growing algae and vegetation. Allowing ponding water to go unchecked in the summer is a serious health hazard and can create enough damage to compromise the structural integrity of the roof. Stagnant water should not be taken lightly and should be dealt with immediately, especially during the warm months of the year.