Do you manage or own a commercial building with concrete block elevations? Is it starting to shows signs of old age such as peeling paint, loose joints, or just isn't exactly aesthetically appealing anymore? We can help you!

Problem: The Scottsdale Center, located in Independence, Missouri was in need of a protective coating to be applied to its back

elevation due to excessive paint failure leaving the CMU block exposed to the elements. In most areas, the paint had started to discolor or peal, while in the more crucial areas, the paint had trapped the water in between it and the cmu block. When water sits in between a coating and block, it can cause many issues from deterioration of the block and its joints to interior water and mold problems. 

 

phase of this project. The preparation included powerwashing the surface using a whirlybird tip, therefore removing most, if not all of the loose paint on the building. Once the powerwashing was complete, hand scraping was needed to remove the small amount of paint that wasn't removed by the powerwasher. Step 2 included priming of the block. Sherwin Williams Loxon Conditioner was used on this project due to the sub par condition of the substrate. Loxon Conditioner is an acrylic emulsion formula that penetrates deeply and seals interior and exterior vertical masonry and concrete surfaces. Step 3 of course is to apply our finish coat. Sherwin Williams Loxon Acrylic Finish Coat was used because of the twos strong compatibility and long-term adhesion. The finish coat was sprayed and back-rolled to ensure all surfaces were uniformly covered.

Conclusion: The project was a success and the building owner was very pleased. The combination of thorough preparation and the correct products used means this back elevation will not need to be repainted for quite some time. In total, 60 gallons of Sherwin Williams Conditioner and 60 gallons of Finish coat was used on the two back elevations of the 25,000 square foot buildings.

When it comes to exterior maintenance of your building the most important thing to remember is, being proactive, rather than reactive on your building’s maintenance issues creates real value for the building owner. The list below highlights three key areas of exterior maintenance that you must keep an eye on at all times. Failing Paint:

When a common person thinks of paint, what is their first thought? More times than not, and

individual will say, “Well, paint is applied to buildings for aesthetical reasons. “ While this is one of the reasons, it usually isn’t the main objective in why something is being repainted. When paint is failing or is on its way to failure, this allows for the buildings substrate to then be exposed to outside elements and therefore allows for the possibility of deterioration.  Without the barrier of protection paint provides, water penetration, moisture and contaminants quickly will work their way in and compromise the surface, eventually costing you more money than if you were proactive initially.Caulking Failure:

When property managers and building owners are serious about taking care of their properties, many of them will

ask our sales professionals, “What is a very important aspect of exterior maintenance, most individuals miss?” The answer to this question is simple; most individuals completely forget or are uneducated on what caulking is and when it should be replaced. Caulking is applied and or found in the joints of tilt up buildings or around areas where water penetration could be possible, (i.e around windows).  Caulking, on average, should be replaced about every 8-10 years, but it is important to keep a close eye on. Some tell tale sign of when it is necessary to replace are: water has penetrated the interior of the building, it has cracked and is brittle, or if it his hard and not longer flexible.Roofing:

Roofing is another out of sight aspect of exterior maintenance that is many times hard to know when it needs repair, before it is to late. Many times, weakness or failure of a roof system or coating will quickly lead to structural damage, as well as anything that may be stored within that facility. We find that it is important to add routine roof care to your ongoing maintenance strategy to ensure that roof failure doesn’t create more of a mess than it should.

Many people believe painting to be an easy task that anyone can do. Their finished results however tell a different story. When painting, even the smallest details matter, which is why it is important not to take shortcuts. Here are some things to be aware of when painting your own home that will truly make a difference in the way your walls look.

1. Clean surfaces first

This is a step that a lot of people skip, yet is extremely important. Paint cannot adhere properly to dirt, grime, or oil, which means that unless you clean your walls, they are likely to appear patchy.

2. Use canvas drop cloths

Plastic drop cloths can become bunched up underneath your feet, thereby leaving your floors unprotected. Canvas drop cloths are a better choice because they remain in placer. You also don’t need to cover your entire floor-instead, simply move your canvas drop cloth with you as you go around the room.

3. Prime patched holes and cracks

When painting over patched holes or cracks, you may notice that the sheen is different once your paint dries. The way to avoid this problem is by priming over the area first, taking care to feather the edges. Allow to dry and then sand lightly before adding your first coat of paint.

4. Cut tape before peeling it away

Once the paint is dry, a common tendency is to pull off tape in a single swipe. This is not recommended, as it could result in you tearing dried pieces of paint along with your tape. Cut tape loose instead, using a sharp razor knife, then pull slowly and evenly so the paint stays on your wall.

These are just a few basic things to consider when painting. There are actually quite a few more we don’t have time to list here that are equally as important. You don’t have to keep up with all of them, when you can allow our team of professionals to do that for you. To find out more, contact us.

 

The two week project included soffit repair, trim board repair, new trash enclosure gates, new downspouts, caps for the cedar beams to prevent further deterioration, removal of an exterior popcorn ceiling, and of course a fresh coat of Sherwin Williams Woodscapes Solid Stain.

 

Direct-to-metal bronzetone was used to paint the back man doors, window frames and gutters as well as 15 gallons of Sherwin Williams Woodscapes Solid Stain. The stain color, Rustic Brown was used to help tie the building together with its brick elements. Prior to the project, the soffit was a popcorn texture which attracted cobwebs like you wouldn't believe. We recommended removing the texture, skimming, and then applying two coats of a white semi-gloss to help prevent cobwebs in the future. 

Your deck is an investment, and most likely you want to be able to enjoy it for years to come. However, without proper maintenance, decks can begin to show wear and tear very quickly.

If you want to keep your deck looking beautiful for as long as possible, try following these simple tips for properly maintaining your deck:

Paint Your Deck with Stain and Sealant

If your deck is made of wood, then it will require more maintenance than decks that are constructed from composite material. Even treated wood can become susceptible to damage, especially with regard to water damage. One of the best ways to prolong the life of your deck is to invest in a high quality stain and sealant. Doing so will give your deck a rich color, and will seal out any moisture that could lead to decay.

Address Any Necessary Repairs

Over time, your deck will begin to exhibit wear and tear such as split wood and loose nails. Set aside some time to replace damaged wooden boards, and hammer loose nails back into place. Not only will this improve your deck’s image, but it will make your deck safer as well.

Invest in Regular Deep Cleaning

All decks collect dirt over time, which can eventually create an unappealing gray color. In addition to routinely sweeping away any debris that accumulates on the surface of your deck, consider investing in a power wash. Regularly power washing your deck will remove this layer of dirt, making your deck look like new.