Tom Lopatosky – The Home Improvement Expert

Tools

What is a ‘Brake’?

If you have ever seen a home that is vinyl sided (perhaps even the one you live in), you may have noticed that the trim is covered (“capped”) in aluminum. The contour of the aluminum as it fits around the trim is not magically made ...
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Exterior

‘House Leak’ vs. ‘Groundwater Leak’

One of the things that I have found helpful in my professional career over the years is discovering what I am really good at and going ‘all in’ on those items and discovering what I am not so good at and learning to comfortably acquiesce ...
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American Culture

Proper Decommissioning of the American Flag

There are certain things that I often wonder about which when I find out the answer to, I think to myself, “Well, that makes sense!” One of these such situations came about recently when I started to notice all of the new flags going up ...
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Building Materials

What is ‘Homasote’?

Just as people in search of a facial tissue, often say they are looking for a “Kleenex”, within the home improvement industry there are a number of items whose name being referenced is the actual name of a leading company in the production of that ...
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Exterior

What is a ‘Monitor’?

Many homes have really cool features to them. So many cool features in fact that even after almost 30 years of working in and around them, at times I forget what they are called 😀 Although I believe I hold my own, I am far ...
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Doors

Stopping the Paint from Peeling Along the Edge of a Freshly Painted Door

Recently, I received a call from a Client regarding a concern of theirs that a door we had painted kept having the paint along its edges lift up each time one of our techs had gone to correct it. This was a frustrating endeavor because ...
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Exterior

Why is it a BAD Idea to Caulk the Gaps in Between Shingle Siding?

Recently I had a client message me with concerns of there being gaps in between the shingle siding on his family’s home, after we had conducted our prep and were well on our way through applying the finish coat. While he was SUPER complimentary on ...
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Window

How to Make Older Windows Easier to Open & Close

Old windows can be difficult to open and close, especially if they have not been maintained over the years as well as they perhaps could have been. One way to make sure they function as best as possible is by using beeswax. Beeswax is a ...
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Exterior

What is a Pork Chop?

When it comes to home renovation, one potentially confusing term that you may come across when discussing the exterior trim on your home is a “pork chop.” What exactly is a pork chop as it relates to the trim on the outside of a home? ...
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Exterior

Softwashing

Softwashing is a cleaning technique used to remove dirt, grime, algae, and other debris from the exterior of a home or building. It’s a gentler alternative to pressure washing that uses low pressure and special cleaning solutions to clean and sanitize surfaces. Softwashing can be ...
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Surface Prep

Media Blasting

“Back in the day” (really, only about 10 years or so prior to me getting involved in the coatings industry), there was a process for removing paint that, although effective, was a bit brutal. This process, known as ‘sandblasting,’ definitely did the job, but when ...
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Working with Insurance Companies

What is a Public Adjuster?

One of the more frustrating experiences that one can work through is that of dealing with a homeowners insurance claim. The ironic part about this of course is the endless array of commercials that one sees from the various insurance companies touting their wares through ...
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Doors

What is a Pocket Door?

Recently we were working on a project where someone did what I believe that they thought was a good idea at the time, but then the real world functionality of their creative ambition kicked in and a more practical solution was called upon to be ...
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Leaking Problems

“I Have A Hole in My Ceiling!”

Did you ever have a problem where you thought perhaps you were the only one to have that problem and then come to find out once you mentioned it to someone, you found out that they had the same problem, and then you found someone ...
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Cabinetry

The Beauty of a Built-In

A ‘Built-In’ is a term used in construction that is right up there with the best of them in terms of those that can be confusing for whomever may be hearing it for the first time. When someone thinks of something being ‘built in’, their ...
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Ceiling

What is a 5-in-1?

Three decades ago, when I was breaking into the home improvement world on the painting side of the business, I was bombarded with what seemed like an endless amount of new terminology from all angles on a daily basis. ‘Primer’ ‘Alkyd’ ‘Bullhorns’ You name it, ...
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Ventilation

The Toilet Paper Test!

Upon first glance, when someone hears the phrase, ‘The Toilet Paper Test’, it would not be uncommon for the still undeveloped far reaches of one’s brain to automatically default to imagining imagery that would fall in-line with that paralleling the thoughts of the great 90s ...
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Exterior

Trapping Mildew Between Product Coatings

There is a scene in the classic original ‘The Karate Kid’ (1984) movie where Daniel (Ralph Macchio) is being coached by Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) through an exercise which Daniel believes is pointless at the time. Daniel was shown by Mr. Miyagi a technique in ...
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Basement Flood

Frozen Pipes

Every once in a while, we get a particularly harsh cold snap in Southern New England. Though I’d imagine not as frequently as our neighbors in Northern New England, we still get them on occasion and every time we do, it reminds me how much ...
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Exterior

Mysterious Leaks

If there were ever a topic that I could write about and provide seemingly countless examples for, ‘Mysterious Leaks’ would certainly be at the top of the list. While unintentionally developing a bit of a reputation over the years as an expert leak diagnoser, my ...
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Painting

How Wet is TOO Wet to Paint?

There are many inaccuracies that we have had to work through over the years which combat viable and efficient production. As in many industries (healthcare, the practice of law, you name it!), when working with a client, situations arise which should truly rely on professional ...
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Walls

What is OSB Board?

In a period of time none of us will soon forget, the late Spring/early Summer protesting of 2020, which in many cases turned beyond aggressive, was a catalyst for a seemingly infinite number of phenomena. From the societally significant to things that may seem like ...
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Exterior

Low Slope Roofing

As crazy as it sounds, not all reputable roofing companies know what they are doing. Come to think of it, perhaps that can be said about every trade. Not all reputable _____________ (fill in the trade name) companies know what they are doing. It may ...
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Building Code

What is Building Code?

When it comes to things that we are unfamiliar with, easing into the “knowledge” circle of things can definitely be quite intimidating. This is true throughout almost every aspect of life, certainly within the variety of niches and spheres which comprise the very fabric of ...
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egress windows-004 Window

Egress Windows

Many folks often daydream about the types of home improvements that they would like to see occur on their home if they had the opportunity to do so. At the top of the list, more times than not, is to “finish” the basement. Thoughts of ...
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Drywall

Horsehair Plaster

Being at an age where I find myself more and more often starting sentences with the phrase “When I was growing up…”, sometimes coming across different items that we tackle on a day in and day out basis truly reminds me of something that I ...
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Hardwood Floors

Polyurethane vs. Varnish

When it comes to wood finishes, it seems like the options are infinite in terms of what types of wood finishing systems may be the best fit for your particular project in both allowing maximum beauty & durability in balance with whatever conditions may be ...
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Interior

Converting Interior Natural Wood Trim to Painted Trim

Although nowhere near the equivalent of a locksmith teaching a budding thief how to pick a lock, the topic of this article feels similarly dirty to me. Doing what we do, we see some of the most beautiful natural wood trim on the interior of ...
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Exterior

The Overly Annoying Woodpecker

There are few pests hitting up people’s homes that approach the level of modern annoyances more so than New England woodpeckers. Don’t get me wrong. Termites, carpenter ants, mice, carpenter bees, etc., are all unwelcome guests which cause enormous amounts of damage to our homes ...
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Exterior

Graffiti

Believe it or not, there are quite a number of folks out there that consider graffiti to be as admired a form of art as others may view a Rembrandt or the Mona Lisa herself. This view particularly gained steam in the 70s, specifically in ...
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OUR HISTORY

LOPCO Expert

While looking for a way to pay his way through college, Tom Lopatosky started LOPCO Contracting in 1995. Since then, when Tom began the company with less than $100 in his pocket, LOPCO has grown to become the Home Improvement Contractor of choice for a wide number of people throughout Rhode Island and Southern New England. Tom learned many valuable lessons as he grew the business while attending college. Ultimately Tom (in the year 2000) graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree with a Concentration in Marketing, a Bachelor’s Degree with a Concentration in Finance, and a Minor in Computer Information Systems from Bryant University (Bryant College at the time) in Smithfield, RI. 

Prior to earning his degrees, Tom graduated from Classical High School in Providence, RI (where Tom won the ‘Al Morro Award’ for Football in 1994). After High School, Tom left for the University of South Carolina to pursue his dream of playing football. Soon after his mother passed away in 1997, he relocated back to RI and completed his college career at Bryant. Tom continued to play minor league football for 9 years and was part of 4 championship-playing football teams. 

As the demands of the company grew, Tom decided to retire from football in 2006 and focus on LOPCO full time.
Under Tom’s leadership, the company culture of striving to overdeliver on every project they undertake has led to much repeat business and their clients are often very happy to tell their friends and families about their experiences with LOPCO. This has helped tremendously as LOPCO has sought to further increase their customer base. Tom’s long-term goal for the company is “To lead LOPCO Contracting in continuing to paint and build the way to social consciousness while becoming the largest painting and repair company in New England.”

Tom lives in East Providence, RI with his girlfriend Leslie and his daughters Tamara & Ivelisse. Tom has held a variety of titles over the years including President of LOPCO Contracting, Regional Board Member of the PCA’s (Painting Contractors Association) Northeast Council, President of the RI Chapter of the PCA, Board Member of RIBA (Rhode Island Builders Association), and Building & Property Trades Advisory Committee Member for MTTI (MotoRing Technical Training Institute in Seekonk, MA).

Tom has been a RIBA member since 2008 and a member of PCA since 2006. In 2013 Tom received the PCA’s National “Humanitarian of the Year” Award, a “40 under 40” Award from Providence Business News, and his BNI (Business Network International) Warwick peers voted him “Member of the Year”. Tom has been involved with BNI for a number of years as well as quite a few other networking organizations.

In 2006 Tom was inducted into the Classical High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Over the years Tom has been a contributing writer and/or columnist for ExpertBeacon.com, RI Local Magazine, ShopInRI Magazine, The Jewish Voice, The Rhode Island Echo, The RI Wave, the East Providence Reporter, and The Smithfield Times and also has had weekly Home Improvement Tips that have run on the radio (630AM & 99.7FM WPRO in the RI area) and on television (WPRI 12 in the RI area). 

Tom is Roman Catholic and is a firm believer that success is often correlated with a person’s faith, not necessarily a particular religion, but faith in a greater power. 

Roman 12:12 is his favorite Bible verse which reads, “”Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” Tom is very involved with his Church (St. Adalbert’s Church in Providence, RI) – Tom served as Chairperson of St. Adalbert’s Church’s Polish-American Festival for 6 years – and really tries to make it a point on attending service at least once per week (Tom also spends 30-45 minutes in prayer prior to beginning each day).
As a fun sidenote, Tom made it as a Semi-Finalist in the second season of “The Apprentice” (the round right before the finalists are on the show!).

Tom has been featured on the Real Estate Radio Network, the ‘Discover Rhode Island’ TV show, and on The Strongpreneur Nation Podcast. Today, Tom has his own weekly Home Improvement radio show on 630AM & 99.7FM WPRO in the RI area – ‘PROTALK Home Improvement’. Tom feels VERY fortunate to have been involved with a number of terrific community organizations over the years, such as: Amos House, Children’s Wishes, Clinica Esperanza, Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island, Habitat for Humanity of RI – Greater Providence, The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence, The Town of Johnston, RI Police Department, Junior Achievement of RI, One Neighborhood Builders (formerly Olneyville Housing Corporation), Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, YouthBuild Providence, and YMCA of Greater Providence. Two of the biggest community initiatives that Tom has been involved with are being a lead organizer of ‘Clean Day’ on the Woonasquatucket River Greenway for nine years and a lead organizer for YouthBuild Providence’s annual ‘Build-a-Bed’ event for four years.

In addition to LOPCO, Tom also owns Cheer UP Athletics – an All-Star Cheerleading Gym located in East Providence, RI – and The Smithfield Times. Tom is an avid New York Yankee, University of South Carolina (ALL of their sports!), and Providence College Basketball fan. Tom’s extensive experience and overall industry knowledge have made Tom one of the most sought-after experts in the Home Improvement Industry. Remarkably, Tom is often even called upon by other contractors to help them through challenges in their businesses (often speaking at National Industry Conferences). Because he has made it a focus to delve into and solve problems that others in the industry simply want nothing to do with, Tom has become an invaluable resource for homeowners near and far. With all being said, it confidently is safe to say that Tom Lopatosky truly is – The Home Improvement Expert!!!

Print Media Features & Published Pieces

PROTalk Podcasts