Is It Important to Clean Walls Before Painting?

A fresh coat of paint can work wonders for your home. It can beautify your space while increasing the value of your home and make it more inviting. Read on to learn some of the circumstances in which home painters in Santa Rosa suggest cleaning your walls.

Why Clean Walls Before Painting Them?

Before painting your walls, clean them. Like surfaces, floors, and furniture, walls can get dirty over time. However, they aren’t cleaned as frequently as the other circumstances in your home. Cleaning walls before painting them is a great way to get rid of cobwebs, grime, dust and stains.

It may be tempting to skip this step and start painting walls straightaway. Painting over dirty walls is a waste of time, resources and effort. Paint may not adhere properly to dirty surfaces. Even if you are able to paint a dirty surface, mold and mildew can grow over it or the paint may crack, blister, chip or peel prematurely. If this happens, you may have to paint your walls again.

The walls in some rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom need more attention than the walls in other rooms such as the bedroom and living room as they get dirty quickly. This is why you should expect to spend more time cleaning your kitchen and bathroom walls prior to painting.

The Right Way to Clean Walls Before Painting

Remove dust from your walls: Clean baseboards and the upper corners with a duster. Remove any dust or cobwebs with a broom. Using the dust brush attachment and vacuum your walls.

Wash the walls: Prepare a mixture of water and a grease-cutting detergent. Soak a sponge in the mixture and scrub your walls with it. Once you get rid of dirt, stains, and dust on your walls, rinse them with clean water. Wipe clean with a damp towel and allow your walls to dry.

Get rid of mold and mildew: If there is residual mold or mildew-usually the case when repainting the basement, bathroom or any other area that is more humid than other areas in the house, use a cleaning solution of three-parts water to one-part bleach. Be careful when handling mold and mildew. Use protective equipment to avoid breathing in mold spores and prevent cross-contamination.

When To Use Trisodium Phosphate for Cleaning

For stubborn stains, consider using Trisodium Phosphate (or TSP). To make an alkaline cleaning solution, mix TSP with water. The cleaning solution dissolves greases and oils and can be used to clean kitchen walls and bathrooms walls. The solution also removes crayon stains from walls.

Soak a sponge in the solution and clean your walls with it. Work in sections of three feet square. Allow the solution to dry, then scrub again. Immediately scrub each section with another sponge.

Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services is a leading painting contractor serving the Santa Rosa and Sonoma County. Our team consists of seasoned home painters. We have extensive experience giving tired and dull areas a chic makeover with a fresh coat of paint. To learn more, call (707) 291-2615.

4 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Painting Contractor

Adding a fresh coat of paint is a great way to liven up your spaces and protect surfaces from premature deterioration.  Whether you are painting a new building for the first time or repainting an old building, hire a painter in Sonoma County for the job.

There is no shortage of painters in our county. With so many options, it’s easy for a business owner to get overwhelmed and choose the wrong painter for their project. This could prove to be a costly mistake. An amateur is highly likely to make a mistake that can negatively affect paint performance and cut short its service life.

To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a list of things to consider when hiring a painter.

Experience

Look for a professional who has experience managing projects similar to yours. Check if the contractor you are considering has specialized tools and equipment for the job.

Insurance and Licensing

Hiring a licensed contractor is not a guarantee that your project will be delivered on-time and on-budget. However, you can expect a licensed professional to provide standardized services.

Before hiring a painter, check their license to see if it is valid. If something’s amiss, do not hesitate to check the business with the local licensing authority.

Make sure the provider you are considering carries liability insurance. If you hire a painter that does not have liability insurance and someone on their team gets injured while working on your property, you may be held liable for damages.

Communication Skills

Every year so many painting projects get derailed or fail because the project owner and the painter were not on the same page or the painter did not understand the business owner’s vision properly and results fell short of expectations.

Look for an expert communicator with good listening skills. Someone who can ensure seamless communication. You will want to hire a professional who can effectively understand your needs, preferences, expectations and concerns and deliver an end product that ticks all the right boxes for you.

Reputation

Before hiring a professional for your painting project, do your homework. Research them online to see what people are talking about them. Visit reputable review sites such as BBB reviews and Yelp to check online reviews. Visit their social media profiles and check comments on their posts.

If a friend or family member had hired them in the past, ask them about their experience working with the contractor and if they’d hire the professional for future projects.

Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services is a reputable painting contractor serving the North Bay. We have a culture of delivering results that exceed customer expectations. To learn more, call (707) 291-2615.

Why Repaint Your Commercial Property?

Thinking of giving your commercial property a makeover? Consider repainting it. Repainting your commercial property is a great way to enhance its aesthetic appeal and breathe new life into it. A freshly painted building catches the eye and can transform it into something extraordinary.

Here are some benefits of repainting your commercial property.

Helps Create Positive First Impression

First impressions matter! A freshly painted building will help create a positive first impression. A fresh coat of paint can hide structural imperfections and add character to your building. It can also help improve the mood in your building.

The appearance of your building can affect your target audience’s and clients’ perception of your brand. Every business owner has a reputation to uphold. When you repaint your building, you send the message that you care about your brand image.

Protect Your investment

Exposure to heat and moisture can cause wear and tear on exterior surfaces. Over time, rust, water damage, and corrosion are inevitable. If your paint is old, chipping, or peeling off, consider repainting your building.

A quality paint does more than just enhance aesthetics, it’s serves as an additional layer of protection. Commercial paint also protects the interior surfaces of your property from premature deterioration, scratches, chips, and other sources of potential damage.

If your building houses heavy machinery and equipment, make applying a protective coating to your paint a high priority. When choosing a coating, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by too many choices. If you are confused between multiple seemingly equally good options, seek help from a commercial painter near you.

Boost Employee Morale and Productivity

As an employer, you are responsible for creating a positive work environment. Your employees deserve to have a clean and bright working environment. Colors have a significant impact on mood and can affect employee morale and happiness.

Repainting your building can make it feel more inviting and welcoming, uplifting the mood in your workplace. It’s no secret that happy employees are more productive and may even call in sick less frequently. A positive work environment can even foster creativity and innovation and bring out the best in your employees.

Adherence to Guidelines

If your commercial building was constructed before 1978, it may contain lead paint. Lead is a toxic metal. Exposure to lead can cause severe, even irreversible brain and nervous system damage, learning and behavior problems in kids and growth delays.

It is mandatory for some types of businesses to get rid of lead paint in their properties and hire a commercial contractor to replace it with a sustainable, safe and non-toxic alternative. If you fail to comply with OSHA standards regarding lead removal, you may be slapped with a heavy penalty.

Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services is a leading commercial painting company in Santa Rosa. Our pros have years of experience managing commercial buildings painting projects from start to finish. To talk to one of them, call (707) 291-2615.

Planning Your Commercial Painting Project

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for your workplace. It can liven up dull spaces and have a positive effect on employee productivity and morale. Whether you are painting your commercial complex for the first time or plan to repaint several walls and surfaces, plan your project accordingly.

Here are the steps to planning a commercial painting project.

Choose the Right Contractor

Commercial painting projects are usually more complex than residential projects. A residential painting contractor might not have the skills and experience required to handle complex commercial projects from start to finish.

Look for a commercial painting contractor with a proven track record of success. Talk to fellow business owners who have just wrapped up a painting project. Ask them if they’d recommend their contractor. When analyzing contractors, check customer testimonials and reviews.

When considering a contractor, check if they offer the services you need and have experience managing projects similar to yours. Look for an insured and licensed contractor.

Set a Budget

When determining project budget, consider the types of services you need, the scope, and nature of the work involved. Calculate labor costs and the cost of extra services.

Painting projects can cause disruptions to normal business operations. Remember to account for the cost of partial business closure if required. Ask your contractor to give a detailed cost estimate. Compare your estimate with the contractor’s quotation to determine if you could cut costs without cutting corners.

Choose the Right Color and Finish

When choosing the color and finish, consider your brand’s values. If you want to motivate your employees to give their best, choose colors that boost productivity including red, blue, yellow, green, and purple.

Do your homework. Find out what colors other businesses in your niche are using. Conduct a survey to find out which colors are most appealing to your customers.

When selecting a color pattern, consider the nature of your business. For example, if you own a restaurant, choose bolder colors. For a hospital or health clinic, go with neutral tones. If you’re not sure, ask the new construction painting company in Sonoma County you have hired for your project for advice.

Inform Employees, Customers, and Visitors

To avoid any liability, inform people about changes due to your painting project. Install signage to warn people about hazards. Send out memos and give instructions to your employees through mails.

Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services is a leading new construction painting company in Sonoma County. We use time tested methods designed to ensure paints adhere properly to surfaces and last long. To learn more, call (707) 291-2615.

4 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Painting Contractor

Painting your house is a great way to enhance its aesthetic appeal and value while transforming it into your dream home. Whether you want to paint a new home from scratch or plan to add a splash of color to any room in an existing home, hire a painting contractor in Sonoma County for your project.

An experienced painting contractor has the skills and knowhow required to manage painting projects from start to finish. They use specialized tools designed to help ensure flawless execution.

Not all painting contractors are created equal. Some so-called know-all experts claim to be the best, but fail to manage their clients’ expectations nor deliver their projects on time. In their eagerness to start their project, many homeowners ignore the basics and commit several mistakes when hiring a painting contractor.

Here are some such mistakes to avoid when looking for a reputable painter in Sonoma County.

Not Doing Your Homework

Many homeowners take everything their painter says on face value. This is a flawed approach. Before hiring a contractor, it’s important for you to verify their skills and make sure they deserve your trust.

When considering a contractor, do your due diligence to determine if they have the expertise required to manage your project.

Visit the professional’s website and take a look at the projects they’ve handled in the past. Check their ratings and customer testimonials. Talk to the contractor’s references. Ask them if the project was finished on-time and on-budget and if they are satisfied with the quality of workmanship.

Hiring the Least Expensive Option

Though the contractor’s fee is an important factor to consider when deciding whether or not to hire them, do not base the decision solely on it. If a contractor is charging an unrealistically low fee, there is a high probability that they’re compensating for something-they might not be qualified to perform the essential duties of a contractor. They may be using subpar materials or deliver low-quality work in general.

Not Gathering Multiple Quotes

Shopping around for quotes can be a time-consuming endeavor. That being said, you should not settle for the first quote you receive, as you can’t be sure if you are getting the best deal.

Get at least three quotes by three different contractors. When evaluating a quote, if you do not understand a particular cost element, call the contractor. A reputable contractor would be more than happy to clarify your doubts and answer any questions you might have.

Overlooking Insurance

If the painting contractor you’re hiring does not have liability insurance and workman’s compensation, you may be held liable for any damages should someone on the contractor’s team gets injured on your property.

When you hire a professional painter with insurance and an accident occurs, their policy will pay the cost of any repairs and replacement.

Want to give your home a makeover? Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services can help. Our pros have years of experience helping Sonoma County homeowners and businesses transform their spaces into something extraordinary. To learn more, call (707) 291-2615.

4 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Interior Paint Colors

The color of your room will ultimately decide the energy that flows through your house and the vibe it gives off. This may be the one you will have to live with for years, as painting a wall is relatively difficult. Interior painters in Santa Rosa have years of experience and expertise that they use to help their customers find paints that fit both their lives and needs.

So, before you pick up your paintbrush, consider these common mistakes that you can easily avoid.

Don’t Pick Your Wall Color First

When you think about decorating your dream house, among the first things that spring to mind is what color you want your walls to be. Instead, wait on picking the color until after you have worked out the rest of the interior. The color of your walls must go well with the overall palette of the room and whether you want a chic or a laidback or a formal vibe. We advise you to sit with a notebook, with a design in mind, and plan out the whole room.

Not Using a Sample to Test Out the Color

Looking at tiny swatch samples is no longer enough. The color that you finally choose for your room needs to go well with the lighting and the decor. Test out your preferred color by taking the samples home and painting an area of the wall. To make the most informed decision, take a look at your samples at different hours during the day and see how it looks under different lighting.

Choosing Different Color Palettes for Different Rooms

A huge mistake while painting a room is not considering the way it will look along with the rest of the rooms in the house. When you consider your home as a whole, it puts things in perspective about choosing the right color palette. Having the same energy flow through all your rooms will help you choose a cohesive style for each room. Ultimately, they must give an appropriate representation of the people living inside it.

Choosing Too Many Colors in One Room

Like we said earlier, planning ahead is essential. When you put too many bright colors in a room, it throws off the balance and can seem too stressful to the eye. It might sound tempting to make your room bright and colorful. However, we advise you to stick to an accent wall that will portray the way you feel and subtle tones to help shift the focus on the accent wall. Besides, you may also choose a neutral color for the wall and include contrasting pieces of furniture to make the area interesting.

Spending time in your house should be relaxing. To make your dream home journey stress-free, feel free to contact Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services, the best interior painters in Santa Rosa. Let us help you choose the most flattering colors that accurately bring out your personality and turn your house into a home. Give us a call at (707) 291-2615 today!

What Are the Best Painting Tools for Your Home?

Painting your home can be both an exciting and stressful time. We don’t paint our homes frequently, but when we do, it’s important to be well-organized and prepared.

Painting on your own can get messy at times. Therefore, it is best to get in touch with professional home painters near you for a hassle-free painting experience. However, if you are still willing to do it on your own, you’ll need to be prepared to avoid unnecessary complications.

Does Your Home Require Painting?

Professionals recommend painting your home every three to five years. However, since interior paint has the potential to last for longer, one could wait for ten years or more before repainting. If you see that your walls are showing signs of dryness, flaking, or shedding, you’ll know it’s time for a paint job.

What To Do Before Getting Started?

Before you get started with your painting, we want you to consider these things to avoid any complications.

Prep First!

Don’t quickly jump into your painting project. Taping off or covering any areas that do not require painting can prevent those areas from any accidental paint spillage. You must give considerable time to planning and preparing your project to make sure you get the desired results.

Use a Drop Cloth

It is important to cover the floor with drop cloths to prevent any accidental unwanted painting. You don’t want a damaged floor that burns a hole in your pocket later. Canvas drop cloths work best, but are more expensive than plastic ones.

What Are the Best Painting Tools for Your Home?

It is important that the tools you use are of reasonable quality. It will make your job easier and give you great results. Here are the most essential tools you will need through the process:

Paint Tray

Getting a metal paint tray can be the best and most affordable option. However, you will need to clean it between different colors of paint. You could also consider disposable plastic trays or inserts if you want to minimize the amount of cleaning required.

Rollers

A standard 9-inch roller and 3/8-inch nap are good to roll over wide spaces of the walls. For tight spaces, you can use mini roller that will help you be sure to cover each nook and cranny.

Extension Pole and Ladder

You may want to apply paint using the traditional wooden chair method to reach high spaces or ceilings as it saves your expenses, but we suggest you buy an adjustable extension pole with a rubber grip to avoid any risks or hazards. Also, a six-foot fiberglass or aluminum ladder would be valuable when trying to paint areas that are hard to reach.

Bottom Line

If you are still aren’t sure about painting yourself, reach out to the experts at Pelligrini’s Platinum Painting Services. We are proud to provide Sonoma County with high-quality services. Call us at (707) 291-2615 to discuss your project.

5 Signs of Exterior Paint Damage

Your home’s exterior paint doesn’t just improves the aesthetic appeal of your property, but it also creates a protective barrier against the elements for your home’s structure. Exterior house paint can degrade over time due to regular wear and tear from the elements. Every homeowner should make exterior paint maintenance a priority. Most exterior painters in Santa Rosa will be available for an evaluation and can help you decide if it’s time to repaint your home.

Here are some surefire ways to tell your exterior paint is about to come off and that you should start considering having your exterior repainted.

Signs of Wear

Peeling, cracking and bubbling paint are some signs that the elements have taken their toll. Damaged paint could also mean you may be dealing with hidden mold or dry rot.

Ignoring these signs could prove to be a costly mistake as you might have to repair the paint and exterior structure of your home down the line. Investing in your home’s exterior paint now can save you from future headaches.

Fading Paint Color

Fading paint color can make your exterior look dull, gloomy, and boring. There are several reasons why paint fades. If your paint is fading prematurely, you may have chosen the wrong paint type or didn’t prepare the structure properly before painting it.

Exposure to sunlight can also cause paint color fading. Sunlight affects paint pigments’ ability to maintain color which results in fading. Dark paint colors usually fade quicker than lighter shades as the sun tends to impact them faster.

Gaps Or Shrinking

Do you notice gaps between the boards of your exterior siding or do your boards look as if they are shrinking? These are some common signs of dry rot which means that moisture has infiltrated the wood and is damaging the structure of your home. Have an expert inspect your siding and assess the damage before repainting it to stop this problem at its source.

Cracked Or Damaged Caulking

Caulking loses its elasticity with time and starts cracking. If the caulking on the exterior of your house is damaged or has become brittle, it’s time to repaint your exterior.

Water Damage

Poor paint coverage can increase your wood siding’s vulnerability to water damage. Water damage can lead to rot. When inspecting your siding, look for deep cracks along the wood grain. Soft spots can also indicate rot. Water damage can also lead to other problems such as mold growth.

Black or grey spots on your home’s exterior can indicate mold or mildew growth. If you notice these signs, consult your exterior painter in Santa Rosa.

If you think it may be time to consider repainting your home’s exterior, Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services has got you covered. We use high-quality paint designed to make paint jobs last longer. To make an appointment, call (707) 291-2615.

The Best Paint Colors for Guest Rooms

Walls are the foundation for creating a quiet, tranquil guest room. Your choice of paint will help create a mood in the room and serve as a blank canvas for the rest of your decor. When considering guest bedroom paint ideas, choose a color that is both universal and comforting. Even if a guest room isn’t used very often, the proper color palette won’t bother your guests and is simple to decorate around.

Consider the accessories after you’ve decided on a color. Your guests will feel more at ease in a guest room that is be decorated and purposefully styled rather than cobbled together. Spend time creating the ideal, relaxing space with little things that make your property feel like home to make your guests feel at ease.

Read on to learn some of the best paint colors and combinations for guest rooms according to renowned Sonoma County house painters, Platinum Painting.

Some Ideas to Get You Started

Here are some quick ideas to spark creativity in your mind. You may want to start experimenting with the color ranges that we discuss below:

  • Light and dark neutrals
  • Soft pinks and greens
  • Enduring navy and brown

These colors are great for creating a tranquil, cheery, and comforting environment.

What’s the Ideal Color Palette for a Guest Room?

Now is the time to consider how to update the look of your room to make it warm and attractive for when you welcome guests back into your house.

When it comes to common guest rooms, neutral hues are ideal. They establish the ideal tone when you’re working or being creative, as well as when your guests are ready to unwind after a hard day on the road.

Walls painted in a creamy white or light beige can serve as the perfect backdrop for any color scheme. Brighter colors can be added with highlights such as fabrics, artwork, furniture, and decorative items.

Some Experimental Suggestions

If you’d like to keep things neutral but don’t want to go with white walls, there are plenty of other options. Greige, a combination of grey and beige, is a color we’ve seen a lot of lately as it provides a warmer vibe than conventional grey.

A very delicate yellow—think white with a dash of sunshine—is another unexpected take on a neutral.

This is a terrific technique to add warmth to the room without going overboard with the paint. A barely blush pink can be used to get a similar effect.

These color recommendations can help you create a lovely area that everyone will like spending time in, whether you have a dedicated guest room or a multipurpose room. You’ll be shocked at how much a fresh coat of paint can change the look of a room!

If you are not sure how to determine the right color combination for your guest room, let’s talk! We are some of the best house painters in Sonoma County. Reach out to us at (707) 291-2615.

How to Find a Reputable Painter

Interior and exterior painting projects are increasing in popularity. A fresh coat of paint can transform a dull, uninspiring space into an oasis of color while increasing the value of your home.

One of the most critical factors that will determine how smoothly your project will go is your choice of an interior painter.

A reputable painter will manage your project from start to finish and help you make the best decisions. They will know how to handle unexpected challenges and problems that might arise during your project.

An experienced professional will be able to foresee challenges and plan in advance to circumnavigate them. Look for a contractor who has experience creating customized solutions to meet the specific needs of their customers.

Here are some tips to help you find an experienced and skilled painter in Santa Rosa.

Talk to Family and Friends

Talk to family and friends who have recently wrapped up an interior or exterior painting project. Ask them about their experience working with the contractor and if they would hire them in the future.

Ask your reference if the contractor was punctual, courteous, and delivered the project on time and within your budget.

Look For Them Online

Visit the websites of your preferred contractors. When visiting a contractor’s website, take a look at completed projects and their portfolio to determine if they have the necessary skills to manage your project from start to finish. Check customer reviews across a variety of sites to find the sentiment for previous customers.

Talk to Contractors’ References

A reputable contractor will be happy to provide references. Make sure to have a list of questions ready before calling a contractor’s references. Here are some questions to ask references.

➢ Can you describe your project?

➢ Did the professional use subcontractors?

➢ What was working with them like?

➢ Were you satisfied with the quality of workmanship?

➢ Did the contractor’s team clean up the worksite at the end of each day?

➢ Would you hire the professional again?

Interview Contractors

Once you have shortlisted contractors, call their offices to schedule meetings. Before meeting a contractor, prepare a list of questions to ask the professional. Here are some essential questions to ask a painting contractor before hiring them for your project.

➢ Do you have insurance?

➢ How long will my project take?

➢ Do you foresee any challenges? How do you plan to tackle them?

➢ What does a warranty cover?

➢ What does a price quotation include?

➢ Have you ever managed a project similar to mine?

➢ Do you have the necessary licenses and permits? What certifications do you hold?

Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting is a leading painting company in Santa Rosa. Whether you want to bring some old-world charm into your home or want to create that modern house vibe in an old home, we have got you covered. To hire the best interior painter in Santa Rosa, call us at (707) 291-2615.