Home Maintenance You Probably Overlooked

The Back Garden

Summer is here! Don’t neglect those outbuildings and garden structures.

Did you ever stop to think that a property is judged by all of the structures on the premises? Even though the house and its landscaping may be HGTV worthy, the smaller outbuildings and garden structures should never be ignored.

Otherwise, run down, broken or dirty gazebos, benches, pergolas, fences, garden sheds and outdoor showers can cast big ugly shadows on a home’s reputation. The same goes for fences and pool surroundings.

Fortunately, when you contact Colour Solutions, you’ll reach the one-stop-shopping solution for such matters! Not only are we an experienced team of professional painters and stainers, we  also pressure wash and make small repairs.

We have discovered that some homeowners choose to ignore their outbuildings, such as pump houses and garden sheds. The school of thought is something like, “They’re doing their job, no need to draw attention to them.” Guess what? A good cleaning and a fresh coat of paint can transform these minor little buildings into a focal point! Not to mention, a bit of maintenance will extend the life of just about anything.

 

Need a little inspiration?

Give us a call at 910-686-3067, or check out these ideas:

Gazebos

Garden Sheds

Outdoor Showers

Tips for Maintaining Your Stained Deck

deck cleaningDid you know that a deck is considered a valuable investment for your home? According to Remodeling magazine, a deck can offer a return on investment of roughly 87 percent of the original cost. And like any investment, it pays to protect it.

Having your outdoor wood deck stained not only increases its aesthetic value, it helps protect it from the elements and prevent damage. However, a coat of stain isn’t the only thing you need to keep your deck in great shape. Regular maintenance and cleaning are essential to extending the life of your deck.

Here are a few tips for making sure you get the most out of your stained deck.

1. Keep it clean!

A deck that doesn’t get a good wash now and then can be subject to mildew, mold, and even rot. Your deck’s stain can do a lot of good by preventing much of these issues, but without yearly cleaning, debris can build up and wear the stain down, eventually causing unattractive spots and worse yet, costly wood rot. You can remove debris between deck boards by using a long comb or putty knife. Attach one of these items to the end of a long pole, PVC pipe or broom handle to go easy on your knees and back.

After you clear out the debris, make sure you give your deck a thorough sweeping. Finally, choose a cleaning solution that is appropriate for your deck’s material. It’s also a good idea to clean the deck on a mild weather day. Extreme heat can cause the cleaning material to evaporate more quickly. Last, but not least, rinse the deck thoroughly by running a hose across the deck several times.

You can also schedule a pressure washing service to come out and remove any mildew that may have built up over time. Professional pressure washers will know the right solution and pressure levels to use to get your deck clean without damaging the stain.

2. Perform a deck check-up.

In addition to keeping your deck looking great, it’s important to give it a once-over from time to time to make sure the structure is still holding up. Grab a flashlight and look underneath the deck to inspect the ledger. The ledger is the part that connects the deck to the home. A weak or damaged ledger can cause the deck to collapse. The ledger should be attached with lag screws, not just exterior nails. Also make sure the flashing (the material that covers the top of the ledger) is free from rust, holes or other signs of wear and tear. While you’re under there, you might as well check the rest of the hardware and ensure everything is attached properly and no screws/nails are rusted or missing.

After inspecting the deck underneath, check the railings and steps to make sure there aren’t any loose boards or missing hardware. Don’t be afraid to give the railings a good shake to test them. Also look for cracks that may have developed around the fasteners over time. If you find any, you can seal the crack with an exterior-grade adhesive after removing the fastener. To add a new fastener, drill a new pilot hole and add a new galvanized deck screw.

Check for signs of rot by gently probing areas with a flat head screwdriver. If you’re able to push the screwdriver more than a quarter of an inch into the wood, you likely have rot in that area.

3.  Call a professional.

It never hurts to have your deck professionally inspected once every couple of years. And if any of the tasks above sound too complicated or time consuming, hiring a pro can be a great way to save you from the headaches of doing everything yourself. At Colour Solutions, we offer a wide variety of home improvement services, including deck staining and refinishing as well as some light carpentry. Call 910-686-3067 today to set up a consultation.

Time to Seal the Deck!

Pressure Washing & Low Pressure Washing

Your deck just called and said, “What are they waiting for? Summer and prime deck season are practically here!”

There’s no question that sealing a deck falls under the category of “big jobs.” That’s why you should leave it to the experts at Colour Solutions.

We have learned that in order to ensure the best protection for your deck, annual maintenance is key.

Here in southeastern NC, decks can take a beating from all that heavy rain, frozen precipitation and brutal ultraviolet rays. Unless the decking timbers are sealed each year, rapid deterioration is a danger.

If you’ve been told that a good way to judge if  your deck is due for a sealant is to see if water droplets bead up, sorry not true! Although some products contain paraffin wax,  which does lend to beading, others such as oil-based sealers do not. The best policy is to just take care of this task annually, either each spring or at least by early summer.

A bonus that comes when you use our team to seal your deck is that we’re also professional pressure washers! (say that 3 times fast) We use low-pressure  powerwashers that  will not damage the wood surface of the decking timbers.

New Deck

If you’ve just built a home that has a nice new deck, we suggest having it professionally sealed four weeks or more post construction. To speed up the aging process which is sometimes necessary for new wood, we would likely pressure wash your deck to remove any glazes or treatments that were applied at the mill.

Along with sealing, of course we can handle any type of accompanying paint or stain job. Many coastal homeowners love the look of white painted trim and natural, but sealed, decking. Another popular look for decks today involves using stain on the railings and a sealer on the floor. The stain is usually tinted to match the trim of your house.

We’d love to work with you and get your deck in the best shape possible!

Please give Colour Solutions a call to learn more about our services: 910-686-3067

Summer is the Time for Exterior Home Maintenance

Deck Painting Wilmington NC

Our customers frequently ask us what time of year is the best for tackling certain exterior jobs such as painting, pressure washing, staining or sealing outdoor flooring and making general small repairs.

Although here in southeastern N.C. we experience some of the best weather in the country, we think that late spring/early summer is just about ideal for addressing your home’s exterior maintenance needs.

If you are considering a fresh coat of paint for your home’s siding and trim, giving it a good pressure washing beforehand serves several purposes. It will thoroughly clean all  of the surfaces, trim, steps, walkways, and  easily remove any flaking paint or stain.

Prep

Take it from us, prepping for an exterior paint job with pressure washing is quick, easy and mess-free! We have even had customers discover that their home was not due for a paint job at all; it just needed a good cleansing blast from the Colour Solutions team!

Paint

As for painting, the good news is that the pollen is gone and the temps are seasonably mild, yet sunny. Which means quicker drying times, plus the days are longer so there’s more time to complete the task. The same applies to staining and sealing wood decking and porch flooring.

Another pro is that the kids won’t be out of school for a few more weeks, so no little footprints should hamper the progress! Then, when those long, lazy summer days finally roll around, your place will be ready for full-on family enjoyment!

Spruce

Sprucing up your home’s exterior provides immediate gratification. However, please don’t neglect other “to-dos.” There are plenty of spots that fall into the “out of sight, out of mind” category. However, though they are not exactly exterior areas,  the attic, crawl space and basement needs your attention too.

No summer home maintenance check-list would be complete without this entry:

Check for Leaks and Rot

After the much more frigid and wetter than usual winter we had, it is imperative to check all the areas of your home for any signs of moisture, mold, mildew or rot. If that is out of your area of expertise, just give us a call. We have heard stories from more than one customer about the damage caused by burst pipes.

The unfortunate twist is that homeowners were often unaware there was a problem at all. Please remember that in addition to our usual services, we also do small repair jobs and are experienced in diagnosing issues before they get out of control.

Drier summer weather allows areas that are prone to moisture retention to dry out a bit. Thankfully, that makes it much easier to fix any problems that may have arisen. Replacing wood, fiberglass or insulation that shows signs of excessive dampness is the best way to remove mildew and dangerous mold from getting a foothold.

When you have the piece of mind that your home is impeccably maintained (maybe with a little help from Colour Solutions) it will be a snap to take in every available bit of summer fun: beach days, bike rides, boat trips, barbeques…
Please call 910-686-3067 to find out what we can do for you.

Importance of Clean Gutters

If your home or commercial building has gutters, be sure to keep them clear and clean for optimal use. Once gutters become clogged or damaged, they fail to divert rainwater from your roof away from your home and foundation. This could possibly lead to expensive damage down the road. Gutters that are full of debris will become too heavy for the fasteners to support them, which can lead to the gutters becoming detached from the roof (sometimes pulling part of the roof away with it).

To avoid this damage, keep those gutters clean! Here are a few tips how to do so:

Create a gutter-cleaning schedule – Gutters ought to be cleaned thoroughly three or four times a year. However, your gutters may need to be cleaned more frequently if your home is exposed to higher-than-average rainfall or debris. Write down your gutter cleaning schedule on a calendar in advance so you won’t forget.

Trim back tree branches that are close to your roof – Trees that are close to your home will most likely drop significant amounts of leaves and other debris that will eventually clog up your gutters. One way to proactively deal with this is to cut back the tree branches that are close to or hanging over your roof.

Don’t just scoop out the gutters; actually CLEAN them – Although leaves and debris will clog your gutters quickly, mildew, moss or algae may grow in your gutters over time. That’s why it’s important not just to remove the debris, but to clear out the residue that builds up.

Gutter cleaning can be a headache, but it’s an essential part of proper home maintenance. At Colour Solutions, we are happy to clean your home’s gutters for you! Give us a call today for a free estimate. 910-686-3067