An Exterior Caulking No-No…
Many years ago, we were working on a project in Providence, RI that at the time when we were doing the surface preparation on the exterior of the home, we noticed there were several gaps throughout the butt areas of the home’s clapboard siding. Being an older home, this was not necessarily surprising to see. […]
What are Lap Marks?
Even though the exterior house stains of today perform much differently than their ancestors from yesteryear, they certainly embody many of their elders’ characteristics. As an example, when able to be used, long-term wise, stains tend not to be as susceptible to peeling as paint is, which has always been one of the more attractive […]
Do Curling, Warping, or Buckled Siding Shingles Need to be Replaced?
One of the more “New England”-oriented things to do when it comes to the exterior décor on one’s home is to let white cedar shingle siding weather. When using the term “weather”, I am referencing literally, not (or minimally) treating the shingles. The purpose of allowing the shingles to weather is typically to allow them […]
Is Painting Over Wallpaper a Good Idea?
Once in a while I get asked a serious question which is done with valid intention, but to some folks hearing it being asked, may invoke a bit of giggling until they hear an answer for it which possibly changes their tune and gets them to nod their head in approval. “Is Painting Over Wallpaper […]
How to Get Rid of Nicotine Stains
Have you ever taken a picture off someone’s wall (perhaps even your own?) and there was an outline of where the picture stood which almost made it look like the picture was still on the wall? Although this scenario could be stemming from a variety of different reasonings, one very challenging situation to correct is […]
What is Cedar Bleed?
When painting the outside of your home, there are a number of head-scratching odd phenomena that can occur. They tend to rear their head in various forms. Some are super unsightly. Some are not really noticeable, but once you see them, they are hard to ignore moving forward. These annoying nuisances run the gamut of […]
Maintenance After the Pre-Cast Bulkhead Install
One of our favorite types of projects to tackle is when we get hired to fabricate and install a new precast bulkhead unit. Sometimes we are replacing an existing unit that had gradually corroded over time. Other times we are hired to fabricate and install a new unit for someone’s home who has never had […]
Why Does Wood Turn Gray?
Every once in a while, we get a call from someone who recently noticed exterior natural woodwork at their home begin to “gray out”. It does not matter whether it is a deck in their backyard or siding on the outside of their home, it could be either or, but the question is still the […]
To Prime, or NOT to Prime…
At times when working on the act of painting our homes, whether exterior or interior, it is not unusual to feel our inner Hamlet cause us to ask the head scratching question “To Prime, or NOT to Prime” as to whether something should be primed or not primed prior to applying a finish coat. As […]
Incorrectly Overlapping Flashing or Aluminum Trim Wrapping
One of the things that we seem to have developed a reputation for over the years is being able to diagnose leak sources stemming from seldom thought of places which moisture can be penetrating one’s home from. When it comes to figuring out from where uninvited water may be entering the home, there are seemingly […]
