Postponing Home Maintenance… Is Your Home in Jeopardy?

by Jeff Sommers
February 14th, 2012

Maintaining your home is like taking care of your teeth. Proper care and preventative maintenance prolong your investment… your smile and your home! Paint failure is the most common exterior home maintenance issue, and can lead to bigger problems such as dry rot and mold.

Paint Failure

This will happen to every home. Our climate is constantly wearing art your home’s exterior. What causes premature paint failure?

Poor preparation of the surfaces being painted. Proper washing, cleaning, sanding, caulking, and priming can help, with a trained professional eye to inspect and recommend proper techniques and products. All homes are not prepared the same.

Improper caulking and sealants. Using the wrong sealant can compromise your home’s protection from harsh winter weather. Proper caulking can prolong your home’s health! Checking and replacing poorly adhered or cracked caulking is always part of ESP Painting’s exterior house painting preparations.

Incorrect paint application. Mistakes can include applying the incorrect thickness of paint, painting while the siding is wet, or painting during poor weather and high or low temperatures. ESP Painting employees are trained to watch the elements, use the proper equipment, and the right amount of paint for the best possible results. Ask us about our 2 coat paint method!

Skipping maintenance. How do you know when to paint your home? Exterior paint jobs typically last 7-10 years, but it’s good to give your home a checkup every 3 years. Things to look for are chipped paint, cracked or loose caulking, and rot. If it has been more than 7 years since your home was last painted, get a free consultation from ESP Painting!

The best cure is prevention! Using a professional painter is like the difference between getting a routine cleaning and a root canal. Avoid future expensive repairs and let’s get that home maintenance done this year!

ESP Painting offers complimentary home checkups to all our existing clients. Not an existing client? Call today for a free consultation and you could be!

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ESP Painting Re-Launches Its Website by Offering Our Biggest Discount Ever!

by Jeff Sommers
January 29th, 2010

All of us at ESP Painting, Inc. are excited about our newly re-launched site! We would like to share our excitement with you by offering our biggest discount yet - 25% off labor on your next project (new contracts only).

 

To qualify for this offer, you must:

 

Leave a comment on this post.

Please tell us how you found this post, and tell us a painting-related story, or ask a question.  The first 10 commenters who also fulfill the rest of the requirements will receive 25% off labor on their next project (new contracts only).

 

Schedule your estimate before February 15, 2010.

Call our office at 503-372-7981 and we will coordinate our calendar with yours.

 

Schedule your interior project before March 17, 2010, or your exterior project before April 15, 2010.

 



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Am I choosing the right painter?

by Jeff Sommers
December 18th, 2009


We’ve all heard horror stories about hiring contractors, but if you consider the following, you can write your own happy-ever-after!


Make sure your painter is licensed to work in your state.

In Oregon, visit the Construction Contractors Board website at www.hirealicensedcontractor.com. Through the CCB, you can confirm that your painter is licensed and has all the required insurance, as well as viewing any complaint history that exists.


Hire a painter who is a member of a professional organization.

Organizations such as Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (www.pdca.org/consumers) define minimum standards for their members, as well as provide continuing education about the latest in products, trends, and techniques.


Do some local research.

Check the contractor’s record with the local Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, and Angie’s List (www.angieslist.com). Each of these organizations offers different types of information about businesses.


Ask the painter questions about their business.

How long have they been in business? Will they share local references with you? Ask your neighbors and friends who they have used and what their experience was like.


After considering everything else, what is your gut telling you?

If you are uncomfortable with a contractor, do not enter a relationship with them. Find someone you are comfortable with who is also qualified.


We are happy to talk with you about any projects. Be sure to ask about our specials when you call!

503.372.7981

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DIY – DANGEROUS OR CLEVER?

by Jeff Sommers
December 18th, 2009


Let’s face it – many of us have watched our household budgets shrink over the last two years. Painting is one of the quickest, least expensive ways to update your space. So you buy some paint in a color you can’t resist, some rollers and masking tape, and maybe borrow a ladder from a neighbor. You say to yourself or your significant other: “I can do this!” “This is going to be fun!” “We are saving so much money!” You turn on some tunes and attack your walls. Then something goes wrong. For whatever reason, you are unable to finish the project as you pictured, and now you have a half-painted home that you are wondering how it will ever get done.


At ESP, we are passionate about painting. Of course, our preference would be for you to hire us. But even if you don’t, everybody deserves a beautiful home. Here are some things to consider before you begin your endeavor:


Do I have the skills and expertise?

Would you fix your car’s transmission, or install a toilet? If you know you have the skills and expertise to do these things, of course you would! But if you don’t have the know-how needed, wouldn’t you rather do what you do best and use the money you’ve earned to pay a professional and have it done right the first time?


Do I have enough time?

Many of our calls are from homeowners who just can’t seem to finish the project they’ve started. Whether they’ve run out of time or enthusiasm, 1 in 5  DIYers calls professionals to finish their project. Being realistic about the time involved will allow you to schedule your project accordingly and give yourself the highest quality finished product without cutting corners. Plus, you’re less likely to injure yourself if you aren’t rushing to finish! (Most ladder accidents are from 2 to 6 foot step ladders.)


Do I have the right tools?

Most homeowners don’t have all the tools they would need to complete a DIY project. If you do, or can borrow from a friend or neighbor, and the tools are in good working condition – great! Purchasing tools for a one-time project can be costly, and then you have to store them or sell them at a deep discount when your project is finished. Professionals purchase, store, and regularly inspect the tools they need to do their job, so you don’t have to.


Anybody can DIY, but a skilled craftsman can safely complete your project in half the time and deliver high quality results! It never hurts to give us a call to price out your project.

503.372.7981


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ESP Painting
5320 SW Macadam Ave.
Suite 100
Portland, OR 97239
(503) 372-7981

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