5 Tips for Repainting Your Home’s Interior with a Painting Services Company

A coat of paint is an effective way to refresh the interior of a home, and the best part is, it’s a quick and relatively low-cost option too. But it does help to have an interior painting services company to assist with the job, so when hiring a contractor to paint the interior of your home, keep these five tips in mind:

1. Before You Do Anything, Check for Lead Paint

Older homes (built prior to 1978), need to be checked for lead paint. Although the top layer may not contain lead, it is likely that there are several layers of paint on the walls, any of which might contain harmful lead. You’ll need to hire a qualified expert who specializes in lead paint to check your home before you even consider repainting the interior.

2. Check That the Painting Service Specialists Will Do the Prep Work

The interior of the home needs to be fully prepared before the job starts to ensure that the job runs smoothly and that the paint job lasts. If the walls and ceilings aren’t correctly prepared, the paint will quickly begin to chip, peel, and crack. 

Preparation includes cleaning all the walls thoroughly especially in the kitchen around the stove and sink area, as well as ensuring all the walls are completely dry (especially in the bathroom). If there are greasy deposits, soap residue, and damp, the paint will not be able to adhere properly. In many ways, this preparation stage is the most important part of the job.

3. Hire a Professional Painting Services Company

It can be tempting to start the job yourself, but a professional company is likely to do a much better job. They have the necessary equipment and experience to complete the job quickly and neatly. When hiring a painting services company, check their references, and get more than one quote so that you don’t end up overpaying. 

When signing the contract, check what work will be done, how long it will take, and what products will be used. This should cover who is responsible for the surface preparation, priming, as well as the type of primer and the brand of paint that will be used. Make sure you’re comparing apples with apples by finding out how many coats of paint are included in the quote.

4. Don’t Forget to Ask If There Are Extra Costs

There are a couple of costs that may not be included in the painter’s quote. If you want a full solution that includes surface preparation, the removal of heavy furniture, specialist painting such as moulding, baseboards or ceilings, ensure that you are clear about these requirements when requesting an estimate.

5. Choose a Paint Color That Perfect For Your Home

Here it’s important to consider how color affects the look and feel of a room. Dark colors, in general, make a room feel smaller and more cramped, while lighter colors have the effect of opening up a space. If you’re not quite sure what you want, it might be worth testing swatches on the walls and having a look at the effect of the color at different times of the day. If you are thinking of selling your home, it’s best to stick to neutral colors as potential buyers might be put off by more striking colors as they aren’t able to visualize their belongings in the home.

Luna Restoration in Raleigh, NC, is a locally owned and operated business that offers painting services. They understand that interior painting is a specialist task that requires the right tools, proper planning and techniques, and thorough preparation to get the right results.

The next post was first published to 5 Tips for Repainting Your Home’s Interior with a Painting Services Company and is courtesy of Luna Restoration. Find more on:} Luna Restoration Blog

How to Assess and Repair Your Roof After Storm Damage

Wind alone is known to have a severe impact on roofs and, combined with rain, hail, sleet or snow, it can be enough to warrant roofing repairs or possibly even a roof replacement. Extreme weather such as thunderstorms, hail storms or hurricanes can affect the integrity of a roof which will mean that you need to check whether the roof will need repairs. 

Winds between 50 and 60 mph have the ability to damage homes, as trees are uprooted and debris may crash into the roof. This requires a thorough check of the roof important – note down any issues then get in contact with your insurance company if the damage is extreme as well as a knowledgeable contractor in order to address any issues. 

 

1. Identify the Roof Damage

If a storm results in broken or torn off shingles, they can be reasonably easy to spot, but other damage will need a closer inspection. To ensure that all damage is noted, remember to:

• Inspect the roof for visible signs of storm damage from the ground. This can include missing shingles, damaged fascia boards, damage to the chimney, and gutters.
• Check for structural damage if a tree has fallen onto your roof. The risk of structural damage means that you’ll need to stay out of your home until a roofing specialist has done an inspection. 
• Hail damage can impact sidings as well as the roof. When checking for hail damage, sidings will be the first place you check, but hail can also damage the roof where hail that pounds the outer layer of shingles causes small dimples.
• Check the attic for water damage and leaks. You may notice water stains on the ceiling or walls; this is a sign that the house may need repairs or a roof replacement.

 

Remember to stay safe – don’t go onto the roof yourself to check for damage as the integrity of the roof may have been compromised by the storm. Rather contact a professional roofing contractor to assess the damage. 

 

2. Talk to your Insurance

 

If you have been able to identify damage to the roof, you may choose to call your insurance agent. You will be able to assess the situation and can then decide about whether or not you should file a claim. It can be helpful to have written documentation of any damage that has happened.

Remember to keep all the receipts that you have for work done on the roof. This includes any work that you do yourself to cover broken windows or make temporary repairs to your roof as many insurance companies will cover those expenses when they are submitted with a claim. 

 

3. Find a Roofing Contractor

Ask for recommendations or do a local search for the best roofing contractors in Raleigh, NC. The company should be experienced in working with insurance companies, be able to provide references for both repairs and roof replacements and have experience in assessing storm-damaged roofs.  In many cases, the cost of the repairs will not exceed the deductible, and the damage may be caused by a maintenance issue that should have been fixed previously. In cases like these, it could be best not to file a claim and rather pay out of pocket to have the issue fixed.

 

At Luna Restoration in Raleigh, NC, we understand that homeowner’s insurance can be tricky to navigate but that the top priority is to have a well-functioning home. For any repairs or replacements not covered by insurance, Luna Restoration is the team to turn to. They offer a free estimate for repairs and will work with the homeowner to settle on a reasonable price, depending on the circumstances.

The next article was originally published on How to Assess and Repair Your Roof After Storm Damage and is republished from Luna Restoration. See more on:} http://lunarestoration.com

Need a New Roof? The Top 5 Benefits of a Roof Replacement

What is Home Siding and How Does it Work?

What You Need to Know When Choosing Siding Replacement or Siding Repair for Your Home in Raleigh, NC

Siding, sometimes wall cladding, is a protective material
that is attached to the outside walls of a house. In addition to protecting
your home from the elements, it also helps keep your home looking good. But
over time, the siding can be damaged due to weather and age which will mean
that it needs to be repaired or replaced.

In many cases, it will be possible to repair the siding to
get it looking as good as new. But, depending on the type of siding that you
have and how damaged it is, siding replacement might be a better option. There
are a number of different types of siding available including vinyl, wood,
asbestos, and aluminum, and the choice of siding
services (either repair or replacement) will vary depending on what siding
has been used.

Cedar Shingles and Wood Siding

The two primary types of damage that happen with cedar shingles
and wood siding are gouges in the wood and rot. Gouges are marks in the wood
that can be caused by a variety of factors such as a hail storm, a pressure
washer, and other impacts. If your siding has gouges, these can usually be
repaired by sanding the siding down, filling deeper gouges with exterior
spackle and then priming and painting.

If your siding has been damaged by long-term moisture
collection over the years, then the rows that are rotting will need to be
replaced. This is more common where the siding comes into contact with the
concrete of the foundation or basement, or if there are areas where water
collection due to improper drainage. Note that not all the siding will need to
be replaced if the rot is not widespread, for localized rotting it is often
possible to just replace the affected boards. If you want to replace the rows
with a different type of siding material, it is often better to replace all of
the siding so that the house looks uniform and neat.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is an affordable, neat and aesthetically
pleasing alternative to wood siding. It’s low maintenance and doesn’t need to
be painted. The only real downside of vinyl siding is that it cracks reasonably
easily under pressure and can’t be repaired. In the case of vinyl siding,
repair isn’t an option, and the affected rows will need to be replaced.

If the damage is localized and the rest of the vinyl siding
still looks good, siding replacement is quick and easy. Only the boards that
are damaged need to be replaced, and this is done by unhooking them from the
points where they snap in and replacing them with new boards.

Asbestos “Slate” Siding

Siding that appears to be made from slate is most likely
asbestos siding and is a hardwearing, durable solution. If you have asbestos
siding that is damaged or crumbling, it will need to be replaced by a
professional roofing contractor.

Aluminum Siding

Similar to vinyl siding, if there are cracks or broken rows,
these will need to be replaced which can be done quite easily. Aluminum siding
can be repaired if there are small holes, as the holes can be filled with
exterior caulk that is color-matched to the siding.

In most cases the siding repair cost will be lower than
replacing the siding, making it a better option. And even in cases where
replacement is necessary, usually, only the affected boards will need to be
replaced, not the entire home’s siding. If you have damaged sidings, get in
touch with Luna Restoration,
they are professional roofing contractors in Raleigh,
NC offering a full range of siding services.

The following post was originally published to What You Need to Know When Choosing Siding Replacement or Siding Repair for Your Home in Raleigh, NC and is courtesy of Luna Restoration. Read more on:} http://lunarestoration.com

Common Roofing Issues for Older Homes in Raleigh, NC

There are many charming older homes in the Raleigh area,
with some of them having been built nearly a hundred years ago. For owners of
older homes, or prospective buyers looking to buy an older home, there are many
advantages. The walls are usually thicker and built to withstand the vagaries
of time, and they definitely have more character. But there are also a couple
of things to keep in mind as older homes typically need more maintenance and upkeep,
and may need upgrades to ensure that they are in compliance with relevant
building codes.

One of the important considerations is the integrity of an
older home’s roof. If you own the home already, you may be experiencing some
issues and should considering hiring a roofing
company in Raleigh, NC to repair or replace the roof. If you’re in the
market to buy an older home, consider getting a roofing contractor to do an
individual inspection of the roof. It’s an easy element to overlook but there
are repairs to be made, which can be extensive, making them an unexpected cost
that can’t be avoided.

If you are considering buying an older home, or wondering if
the home you own has a roofing issue, there are three self-checks that you can
do. You can run through a list of quick visual checks, then inspect for leaks
and water damage and finally, call a roofing contractor in Raleigh, NC for a
second opinion.

1. Quick Visual Checks

Have a look for shingles that are showing signs of wear and
tear. Check that exhaust fans are functioning well as this is a good sign that
moisture isn’t accumulating in the roof. Then, inspect the attic for water
damage and insulation. If you can’t immediately see any issues, then do a more
thorough check for water damage.

2. Check for Leaks

A leaking roof has serious consequences for a home, which
makes the soundness of a home’s roof vital. To check for water damage, inspect
the interior and exterior walls of the home, the attic and the roof itself.

Interior Walls

Examine the interior walls of the home looking for water
spots on the ceiling. This is not conclusive proof that the roof is the issue
though, as there may be a plumbing or water leak causing the issue.

Exterior Walls

Check the exterior walls of the home; water spots here can
be a sign that the roof has flashing issues. Also, have a look for patches of
mold that may be indicative of a leaking roof.

The Attic

Check the insulation in the attic for any signs of moisture,
as well as checking if you can see daylight under the roof boards.

The Roof

Lastly, it’s important to check the roof. A quick look at
the roof (this may require you to climb a ladder to get a closer look) will
reveal most issues. These issues could range from cracked shingles to missing
tiles or unsecured flashing.

3. Get an Opinion from a Roofing Contractor in Raleigh

Roofing contractors are professionals that specialize in building new roofs and repairing older ones. They are trained to quickly identify problem areas and, based on their experience, suggest solutions and alternatives.

As a Roofing Company in Raleigh, NC we offers free roofing estimates for residential and commercial properties throughout Wake Country and Durham County; specifically, in Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Durham, and Raleigh.

They’re locally owned and operated, and are available seven
days a week with 24/7 phone service to respond to emergency call-outs. They are
fully certified by GAF (the largest manufacturer of commercial and residential
roofing materials in the US). They also ensure that the roofing contractors
that work for the company are licensed and continually attend professional
training so that they stay at the top of their game.

All contractors are licensed and dedicated to ongoing professional training in the field of residential and commercial roofing. Luna Restoration is fully insured so that you have peace of mind while they’re hard at work on your roof.

The following post was first published to Common Roofing Issues for Older Homes in Raleigh, NC and is republished from Luna Restoration. See more on:} Luna Restoration Blog North Carolina

How to Tell if a Home’s Gutters Need Replacing

For homeowners with properties that are slightly older, there are home-related issues that will pop up from time to time, requiring maintenance. A good example of this is gutter replacement in Raleigh, NC where many years of wear and tear, and continual exposure to the elements mean that gutters may no longer be functioning optimally.
Luckily, before gutters need to be completely replaced, there are three clear warning signs that let homeowners know that there is work to be done. A home may need gutter repair or replacement if there are signs of water damage around the gutters, if gutters are sagging or pulling away from the framework, or if they have cracks, splits and peeling paint.

Signs of water damage on or around the gutters

This is a common issue due to moisture accumulation. Homeowners should check the gutters at least once a year on a clear, sunny day. Look for water damage or mildew below the gutter as this is a sign that water is escaping from the gutter. This check is important as water damage can break down soffit and fascia boards.
Because the purpose of gutters is to keep flowing water away from the foundations of a home, it is also important to check a home’s foundation for water regularly. If there are pools of water or signs of mildew forming near the foundation, it may be a sign the gutters are not working as they should. This may be due to a blocked gutter that is quick and easy to fix, but it may also be a sign of something more serious such as a defect in the gutter system. Any sign of water accumulation around the foundations needs to be acted on immediately as water can easily cause damage to foundations, and the result is expensive, time-consuming repairs.

Gutters that are sagging or pulling away from the house

This is a clear sign that gutter repairs or gutter replacement is needed. This is because, without taking out a ladder to inspect the gutters, it is immediately apparent that there is something wrong. It should never be the case that gutters are sagging or pulling away from the home. A Raleigh gutter services expert is needed in these situations as they will be able to assess the extent of the damage and if the gutter will need to be replaced or repaired.
There are different reasons for sagging gutters, one of which is that they are full of water and are pulling away from the house due to their weight. This may be a sign that the gutter system is not correctly installed or is not draining properly because there is debris causing a blockage.

Cracks, splits and peeling paint require immediate attention

It can be easy to overlook a small crack or dismiss it as unimportant. But small cracks can quickly develop into larger ones. Any cracks or splits that are not attended to immediately will not only damage gutters further, but can lead to damage of fascia boards, the foundation below, and shingles around the gutter.
Peeling paint or flecks of orange rust on an older home are also signs that water is not flowing correctly through the gutter system, as there is water present continually. This should also be cause for concern as it may require gutter replacement, especially if it is an older home.

As specialists in gutter services, Luna Restoration offers commercial gutters, residential gutters, and seamless gutters depending on what their clients need. They are leading providers of gutter services including gutter repair and gutter replacement in Raleigh, NC.

The next information was first published to How to Tell if a Home’s Gutters Need Replacing and is republished from Luna Restoration. Read more on:} Luna Restoration LLC