house painting Archives - Estate Antiques and Home Decor

The Right Method for Removing Ceiling Water Stains

October 26, 2022 | Home Improvement | No Comments

A water stain on the ceiling is something that can occur in both newly constructed homes and older ones. There is a wide range of potential causes, from problems with the roof to leaking pipes between levels. No matter what precipitated the water damage, the end result is a stain on the ceiling, no matter how big or how small, as well as possibly some secondary issues like bubbling and cracking. Even though these blobs of brownish color can make your home appear less appealing than you would like it to, you do not lack solutions for cleaning or concealing the stains.

Is it Possible to Cover a Water Stain with Paint on My Ceiling?

It is possible to paint over a stain so that it is no longer visible. You will, however, need to begin by locating and eliminating the source of the stain before you can be certain that it will not reappear and cause even more extensive harm. Paint is an excellent solution to cover a stain once the problem that caused it has been resolved.

The Best Method to Hide Water Marks on the Ceiling

There are a few critical procedures that must be taken in order to guarantee that you will achieve the revitalized appearance you desire while preventing any further damage.

1. Determine the Root of the Discoloration

It’s possible that the water stain on your ceiling was caused by a damaged roof or another significant issue. The following are some of the most common reasons for ceiling stains that require the assistance of a trained professional:

Plumbing leaks. Investigate the possible causes of plumbing leaks so that you will have an idea of where to start when you bring in a professional.
Ice dams. You’ve probably heard of the danger posed by ice dams if you live in a region that experiences cold winters. If you have a water stain on your ceiling, you should check your roof to see if this could be the culprit.
Clogged gutters. If your gutters are clogged, water may flow where it shouldn’t, which could result in discolored ceilings in the basement or other unfavorable outcomes.

In any of these scenarios, once you have turned off the water supply, it is a smart idea to get in touch with a water damage expert and get the essential cleanup services to avoid more damage from occurring.

2. Treat the stain with bleach or another suitable cleaner.

Water stains are unsightly and can also lead to the growth of mold. Check to see that you are not covering the stain before it has been thoroughly cleansed. Wipe away the stain with a solution made of one part bleach and three parts warm water, or use a cleaner that has already been pre-mixed. The solution can be removed with a damp rag, and the area can be dried off with a towel. It will take a few hours for the ceiling to completely dry out.

3. Spread Primer on the Ceiling

When you paint a wall, you start by priming it first, and you should do the same thing here. Sherwin-Williams has alternatives like as an oil-based ProBlock alkyd primer and a water-based Quick Dry Stain Blocking acrylic primer for circumstances like this one, in which a stain on the ceiling needs to be covered. Even after cleaning and painting, a reaction with the stain can still be noticeable if you use an all-purpose primer inside, as this is presumably what you’re used to doing.

4. Start Putting on the Paint

After the primer has had enough time to cure, it is time to cover the water spots on the ceiling with paint. Because you chose to supply the initial layer with an oil-based primer, you are now free to use any latex paint you like for the primary coat (s). Painting the entire ceiling of a room is the most effective approach to ensure that the color is uniform across the space, despite the fact that doing so may seem like a monumental task. For example, you don’t want a newly painted area to give the impression of unevenness in the same manner that the stain did.

Bring in the Experts

Painting over water stains (once the water damage has been reduced) can be a complex operation that requires a number of stages to accomplish in order to obtain the desired effects. Call Elmer’s Painting experts if you’d prefer to devote your time and effort to something else, as they are very skilled in the field. The appearance of your ceiling can be improved by working with us. We are able to assist you with any additional painting project you may have, whether it be inside or outside the house. You can reach us at (201) 975-6511 or call today for a free estimate system.

By Claudia Stephens

How To Clean Brushes & Rollers

September 2, 2022 | Home Improvement | No Comments

Did you know that soap and water won’t get all the paints out of brushes and rollers? It’s important to know how to wash paint brushes so that you don’t damage them and they last longer. By following these tips from your local Bergen Rockland Painters pros, you can learn how to clean different types of paint out of your brushes, rollers, and even hardened paint brushes.

How to Clean Paint Brushes Best

Keep your brushes damp so they stay soft and can be used for your next project. If you have to stop, wrap the brush in a damp paper towel to keep it from drying out. You should also clean it right away after each use because it’s much easier to clean up before the paint hardens in the bristles.

If you want to know how to wash paint brushes, follow these steps:

Choose the right liquid to use. There is no one solvent that can get every kind of paint out of every kind of brush. Check the instructions that came with your paint to find out what to do. In general, paint thinner or mineral spirits work well to remove oil-based paints and lacquers. Shellacs react better to ammonia or alcohol that has been ruined. You can clean water-based paints with soap and warm water.

Instead of putting paint down the sink, put it in a clean container. Can paint brushes be cleaned in the sink? We wouldn’t advise it. Cleaning your brushes in the sink can be a problem because you might clog your plumbing, be exposed to strong fumes, or pour the flammable liquid down the drain. Instead, put the solvent in a small, clean container. This lets you change out the solvent while cleaning the brush with as little waste as possible. You can seal this solvent and use it again later, or you can let it evaporate completely in a safe place, like your garage, before throwing it away.

Move the brush around to get the paint out. Dip the paintbrush in the solvent and use a brushing motion to get the color out of the bristles. Don’t twist, press down directly on, or push the bristles back into the handle. Doing so could damage the brush.

Clean, then clean some more. Wash the brush until there is no more solvent on it. It’s important to clean your brushes well because even a little bit of paint can cause them to harden.

Dry. Once your brush is clean, gently press the water out with a paper towel. If there is still color on the paper towel, that means the brush needs to be cleaned more. Once the brush is clean, let it dry on a flat surface.

Cleaning Paint Rollers

Paint Brushes can be cleaned and used again, but should you clean or throw away paint rollers? Rollers can be used again and again, but they need to be cleaned properly so that the paint goes on smoothly.

To wash paint rollers, do the following:

Roll in a solution for cleaning. Put the paint’s solvent in a clean roller pan, and then roll the paint roller in the solution to make the paint easier to spread. If you use a stronger chemical like ammonia, wear gloves to protect your hands and watch out for splashes that could hurt your skin or ruin your clothes.

Scrub until solvent runs clear. After you’ve rolled out as much as you can, take the roller off the handle so you can continue to massage the paint out with gloved hands.

To remove paint, use a putty knife. When paint gets between the roller and the handle, it dries and hardens into a crust. The putty knife can help you get the chunks out of the way before they get any harder. This will make sure that the next roll goes on smoothly.

Hang on a string or dowel to dry. If you want the roller to dry evenly, don’t lay it on its side or let it stand on one end. Instead, put it on a string or dowel.

Keep in a cabinet with no dust. If your roller is dirty, it will leave dust on your next painting job. Keep it in a clean, dry place until you need it.

Cleaning Hardened Paint Brushes

What happens if the brushes aren’t cleaned right away? It’s easy to put the brush down thinking you’ll clean it soon, only to find a few weeks later that it’s hard as a rock. Is it too late to save the crusty brush, or can it still be used?

Try these ways to clean dried-out paint brushes before you throw them away:

The solvent can be used to clean the brush. If you know what kind of paint is on the brush and has dried, you can match it with the right solvent. Pour some solvent into a clean container and swirl the brush in the liquid to soften the paint. After cleaning the brush, rinse it with water. Use a paper towel to dry the brush and reshape it before letting it dry on a flat surface.

You can clean your paintbrushes with vinegar. Bring vinegar to a simmer in a pan on the stove, turn off the heat, and put the hardened brush in the hot liquid for 20 minutes. After soaking, wash with soap and warm water to get any leftover paint off. Pat, it with a paper towel, and then lay it flat to dry.

Use fabric softener to make the bristles softer. Mix fabric softener with warm water and rub the bristles to get the paint out. After all the paint is off, rinse with clean water. Dry the brush flat so that water doesn’t run back into the handle and damage it.

Save Time & Effort by Hiring a Pro!

How well you can clean paint off brushes and rollers depends on the type of paint you are using and whether you are cleaning a brush or a roller. But is it even worth it to clean the brush and/or roller? Many people don’t have the right cleaning supplies at home, so they have to go to the store. The time it takes to clean your painting tools is also a factor. You’ll also need to find a safe place to keep everything. So, you may be looking at a set of hardened paint brushes and rollers and thinking, “There must be a better way.”

Instead of jumping through hoops to get everything done, let the professionals at your local https://newcityhousepainter.com/ give your home a fresh coat of paint and clean up afterward. We offer painting services for both the inside and outside of your home, so you can get the look you want without having to deal with the cleanup and mess. Call us at (973) 846-5552 or book an estimate online today to get started.