Stephen Alberts

May 19 2021

Understanding Why Pressure Washing Preserves Paint and Lengthens Its Life Span

If the next item on your to-do list is to clean the exterior surfaces in your domestic space, you’ve likely seen pressure washing among the most popular techniques to accomplish your task—for good reason. The proper wand-spray application of high-powered H2O can clear excess dirt and muck while preserving the shine and color in your home’s outside walls.

No matter how resolute you may be with your power-washing wand, it’s crucial to step back before you go to town on the painted surfaces of your house. To understand the effects of pressure washing, we have to educate ourselves on its benefits and dangers.

Pressure washing can indeed preserve paint over a long time. Let’s discover how and why.

Benefits of Pressure Washing On Paint

If you know how to handle the pressure washing mechanism, there’s no end to what you can do to improve the look and texture of exterior paints.

Take a close look at the surface of your home. Unless you clean your shingles regularly, you’ll find

grime,
dirt,
droppings,
and lots of stains.

These are the markings on your paint that present a discolored look to visitors and pedestrians passing by. Pressure washing can solve those problems without repainting with a new coat.

While it’s entirely possible to clean paint surfaces by hand, you’ll need costly solvents or detergents with bad odors (like TSP, or trisodium phosphate) to accomplish the job. But if you use a pressure washer, you can extend the life span of your paint by two to three years.

For one-fifth of the effort and time it takes to repaint your exterior surfaces, you can use pressure washers to remove all the grime and muck that accumulates on shingles, trim, door panels, and eaves. Many pressure hose systems are indeed used to remove paint, but there’s no reason not to use them to gently clean paint surfaces and shine them up.

How Pressure Washing Affects the Home Exterior

The first thing you’ll hear when renting out a pressure washing hose system is this: “Pressure washing is for removing paint and preparing the surface for a new coat.” While many homeowners use pressurized water for this purpose, the careful user will adopt the washing system to clean existing paint surfaces without damaging them.

So how does pressure washing affect paint? Firstly, it removes the cobwebs, dirt, grass stains, and gunk that naturally accrue on the sides of painted objects over time. There’s also

mold,
mildew,
dust,
pollen,
substances caused by pollution.

All these superficial pollutants endanger the lifespan of your paint. You might also notice a layer of chalk on the paint—this grows on your home as UV light penetrates it.

Selecting the right nozzle is key when choosing how you’re going to wash your painted surfaces. You’ll want to employ a 25-degree or 15-degree nozzle to ensure you don’t slake off paint chips while you’re cleaning. A 0-degree wand will certainly remove paint at once—we don’t recommend these wands.

Understanding pressure washing means understanding technique. It works on wood, brick, aluminum siding, and vinyl. If the paint layer that you’re dealing with has any chance of being lead-based (painted before 1978), stop power washing immediately. Go to your local professionals. They’ll use manual methods instead.

Dangers of Pressure Washing Your Home

Of course, it is just as important to know the precautions to take with pressure washing paint as it is to know the benefits. The main thing you might be looking for when employing pressure washing is to secure the long lifespan of the paint. Pressure washing can do that.

By scouring away the damaging dirt, mildew, and dirt, all exterior paints benefit from a healthier environment and more air. It’s not only curb appeal that improves from a good pressure washing—your paint surface itself with thank you too.

However, you have to keep safety precautions at the fore when using pressure washing solutions. The hose on pressure washers is not like a garden hose. It’s not a toy. So make sure you observe the proper pressurization standards and, for our sake, keep your wands angled at 30–15%.

The goal when directing pressurized water at paint is to clean it, not to strip it. You’d be surprised at how low the pressure needs to be to blast away cobwebs, mildew, and mold. The golden rule: less is more.

Last Thoughts – Give Us a Call!

Not only should you employ pressure washing for serious grime removal. Your painted surfaces will benefit all the more from regular scourings with the power wand. You’ll extend your paint’s lifespan and ensure it keeps impressing the neighbors and visitors for decades.

Are you thinking of renting a pressure washer to bring back the glow to your beloved painted house, gate, or fence? Dial us up at 205-749-7019 in Birmingham, 334-270-4145 in Montgomery, and 205-752-1216 in Tuscaloosa today!

May 06 2021

Commercial Building Owners Benefit by Hiring Local for Maintenance and Repairs

Hiring a local maintenance company to complete your commercial building maintenance and repairs offers numerous benefits over hiring a larger nationwide chain.

Fast Response Time

While a national chain may have multiple locations, your local maintenance and repair company will most likely be based even closer to your properties.

The proximity means that after a storm and when answering an emergency, they will be aware of the increased need because they are experiencing it and can plan accordingly.

Outside of major emergencies, a more prominent company may not be aware of the intricacies of rush hour traffic for your area like a local company might and may quote arrival times they cannot meet. Late appointments waste your time and the time of any employees who have to meet them.

Local companies have the necessary local knowledge that can make a difference.

Lower Costs

Commercial building owners financially benefit when choosing a local business and hiring them to perform emergency breaks and annual maintenance.

They recognize the importance of connecting with commercial owners and offer benefits such as

protection plans,
frequent commercial discounts,
further discounts with other tradespeople.

That means offering a local business your money will sometimes pay back over time, which is a service large national firms with more extensive customer bases won’t provide.

Public Image

Supporting local contractors gives a great message to the tenants, customers, or employees of your building that you care about their community. The importance of supporting local becomes more and more important with every passing year.

Depending on the size of your community, it’s possible someone you already know can offer a fantastic reference for a local contractor.

Easier to Obtain References

An essential part of finding the right company is obtaining references from previous clients. When you request references from a local company, they will provide local references, making it easier to verify their claims and previous work and make comparisons to your commercial building needs.

Word of mouth is the best advertising tool for a smaller business, so it’s possible you will learn about the company even before you request references from people whose opinion you already trust.

At the same time, if a local business doesn’t meet their claims, their reputation may precede them and could help you avoid choosing a company that can’t meet your maintenance or repair needs.

Better Working Relationship

A local maintenance or repair company has a reputation to lose from even one negative customer experience since it may make up a more significant percentage of their total work.

If they can’t take your job because it is not within their scope or they’re too busy, they will often refer you to a sister company they trust, instead of agreeing and not doing a proper job. Smaller customer rosters can often mean quicker response time and better follow-up in the future.

With maintenance requiring multiple trips, local means more personal attention from building owner to contractor, helping to identify problems early and often preventing more severe damage.

Supporting Your Local Enemy

During a crisis such as a hurricane or a storm, it’s recommended to start putting money back into the economy to help it repair. Hiring local maintenance and repair contractors puts money back into the pockets of locals, who can spend that money in other commercial ventures.

Unlike larger companies headquartered out of state, local contractors are as invested in their local economy as you are. Employing smaller contractors is a way to benefit both parties in a relationship that can become long lasting.

Licensing and Compliance

Every area has different licensing requirements that must be met to ensure legislation and bylaw compliance, and navigating all that legislation can be a confusing and challenging task.

However, hiring local means narrowing down the requirements to just the area where your commercial building sits. The reputable contractors already know what licensing they need to have and can often educate their customers on further legislation required, such as permits that must be pulled to perform specialized repairs or additions to existing structures.

Looking to Hire a Local Maintenance or Repair Company?

Staying on top of maintenance and repairs is crucial because it ensures your investment remains in good shape for many years to come. Our team has the information to help you find a local, reputable company for your needs. Contact us today!

Apr 30 2021

Working With Smart Power Tools That Make Tough Jobs Easy

There’s no denying that smart technology is the way of the future. In fact, from phones to our houses, smart tech has already become an integral aspect of our lives.

But did you know that even power tools are getting an overhaul and are merging with smart technology?

Power tools alone make tough jobs that much more straightforward, yet having a “smart” aspect can make even the longest, most demanding tasks feel like a breeze. Here, you’ll see how the best smart power tools can transform a project!

There’s an App for That

Applications are one of the most common forms of smart tech. After all, they’re on our phones, computers, and even our televisions. So it’s no surprise that smart power tools also take advantage of them.

For many smart power tool apps, battery control has become a valuable standard feature.

We can look at DeWALT’s Tool Connect app as an example. DeWALT designed this app to help keep track of expensive lithium-ion batteries that power many smart tools. These batteries can be tricky and potentially dangerous when not properly cared for.

Not only does this app monitor the state of your battery, but it will let users disable a battery remotely via Bluetooth. Incredibly, you can set a time limit for how long the battery will last, ensuring a tool doesn’t get overworked or overheated. That can be especially helpful if you need to lend your battery to someone else.

Like Milwaukee Electric Tool’s ONE-KEY, other apps let you pre-program the different drilling speeds and torque settings necessary for specific projects. Having preset control can eliminate any issues on a site, giving you peace of mind that workers will use the correct settings for each job.

Virtual Fences

Whether you’re working on a home project or a site with a large crew, power tool theft is a real threat. Before smart power tools, there wasn’t a way to keep your tools safe other than guarding them like a hawk.

Fortunately, many of these smart tools come with what’s known as a virtual fence. This feature allows you to define a specific area for a tool on your computer or phone, and then, if someone takes it out of the location you’ve set, you’ll be alerted instantly.

Longer Run Times

One of the clear benefits of using smart power tools on a tough job is that they tend to last much longer than other power tools. That extended life is partly because you can control and monitor your batteries much better, but that’s not the only reason.

Some intelligent batteries, like the FLEXVOLT, have different cells that workers can use in two ways: series or parallel mode. Parallel mode produces 20V at 6Ah, allowing you to connect with 20V tools for four times as long.

Then series mode produces a whopping 60V, the same as corded tools. Put two of these batteries together, and you can use up to 120V! It also runs at a cooler temperature, meaning you won’t have to worry about your tools overheating, even when you double up to get more power.

Plus, smart batteries often not only run longer, but they charge faster, meaning shorter downtimes as you work.

Conclusion

Technology is making even the toughest of jobs more straightforward than ever before while giving the ability to do them with greater accuracy. Smart power tools can help you finish your work faster, more precisely, and with more security. You won’t have to worry about battery compatibility or theft again.

That said, smart power tools are still a costly investment. What’s more, even the most well-designed tool can end up being a danger to the operator and those around them without the proper training. If you need some work done quickly and professionally around the house, contact us today for a free consultation here at One Man & A Tool Box. We’ll get back to you within one business day!

Apr 22 2021

Never Install Fencing Without the Latest Technology of Come-Along Winches

Why should you use a come-along winch for fence installation? It’s safer, tightens wire fences quickly and easily, and saves hours of back-breaking labor. You should never be without a top-rated come-along winch when attempting any type of wire fence installation. A come-along winch in your tool arsenal is simply a must-have, and the advances in technology have made winches stronger, safer, more durable, and easier to use than ever.

What Is a Come-Along Winch?

Also known as a hand winch, a come-along winch is a tool that allows you to pull heavy loads using the power of a winch mechanism. Attached between the object to be moved and a stationary anchor point to pull against, a hand lever tightens the winch. It’s often used to move heavy equipment and pull vehicles out of a ditch or mud and a tried and true method for wire fence installation.

What Are the Hazards of Wire Fence Installation

Wire fencing is usually either a mesh, chain-link, or barbed wire and comes in a roll. The length of the wire fence has to be stretched between supporting posts, and if the wire is not tight enough, it will be floppy and defeat the purpose.

Also, the metal wire will expand in hot weather and start to sag if not stretched tight enough during installation. If not installed taut and near the ground, animals may burrow under it to get in or out of the fenced area. With a winch, you can tighten very long lengths of wire with less effort and keep your hands free of injury on sharp wire ends or barbs.

Even with a winch, it’s important to take proper precautions when working with such fences, like wearing long sleeves and trousers, and have strong shoes.

What to Look for in Modern Come-Along Winches

While the come-along winch mechanism hasn’t changed much, the materials, construction, and design have come a long way. First, consider your pulling needs and how much weight you need the winch to be capable of handling. You can find models rated for one ton, two ton, three ton, and higher.

As well, look for high-grade all-steel construction, preferably with a corrosive-resistant coating such as zinc. The cable should be at least 3/16” gauge braided steel. There are also synthetic cables that are equally strong but may need replacing more frequently. However, a synthetic cable won’t knot and break under high tension, causing injury the way a snapped, whiplashing steel cable can.

A single gear is standard, but there are double gear and double pawl models that offer extra stability and better load distribution. Try to find a longer ratchet handle with a comfortable grip for maximum ease and leverage.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Come-along Winch for Wire Fence Installation?

Delivers several tons of pulling power that could never be achieved by hand
Single person can erect several hundred feet of fence in a day
Avoids injury to hands and fingers by reduced handling of the wire
No power source is required
Suitable for all types of wire fence installation, including chain-link, barbed wire, or mesh of any size
Should fence start to sag, it is easy to stretch again using a come-along winch
Is a compact, portable tool that is easy to carry and easily fits in a toolbox or the trunk of a car

On The Fence About Fence Installation?

There’s a reason the phrase “mending fences” sounds difficult and painful. Fence building is hard work. That’s why leaving fence installation to a professional is a wise choice, saving you time, effort and frustration. Get in touch with One Man & A Toolbox today for a fence installation quote.

Apr 07 2021

5 Time-Saving Shortcuts to Upgrading a Kitchen and Creating More Space

Life often revolves around the kitchen. We gather there to cook, to laugh with our loved ones, and we spend time together creating something we all need: good nourishment.

Because kitchens are a focal point for family gatherings and friends, we want everyone to feel welcomed and comfortable. If there isn’t enough space to cook, to gather, then we’re missing out on quality time with those we care for most.

That’s where a renovation can come into play. You can make the necessary changes to ensure your home is an open and inviting space!

Unfortunately, sometimes renovations can take weeks, if not months. However, upgrading your kitchen doesn’t have to take ages! If you want a quick and hassle-free kitchen renovation, you should consider the following options.

Reface or Paint Your Cabinets

Refacing cabinets is a fast and straightforward method of changing the look of your kitchen without the mess and cost of a complete remodeling. Typically, the cabinet face is covered with a self-sticking wood veneer, and the end panels are covered with 1/4-inch plywood. New doors and drawer fronts are installed to replace the old ones.

When you reface your cabinets, you’ll spend a fraction of what new cabinets would cost. You can leave your counters in place for even more meaningful savings. Another option is to paint your cabinets. This is an even more accessible and cost-effective way to refresh your kitchen and give the illusion of more space, especially if you choose a color that will reflect light.

Choose Laminate Countertops and Refresh the Plumbing

Are your countertops looking worn and outdated? Is your sink showing its age? Installing new laminate countertops is a fast and affordable way to give your kitchen a makeover.

Of course, It only makes sense to put in a new sink while you’re changing the counters. You can renew the look of your kitchen by choosing both a sink and a faucet that suit your style of cooking and your taste in home design. Doing both tasks at once will save time!

Source a Free-Standing Kitchen Island

Free-standing kitchen islands are ideal if you are on a budget and need to fill space fast. Custom islands are expensive and take time to create. In contrast, a free-standing kitchen island is as easy as making a trip to your favorite online furniture store.

You can even find kitchen island options with stainless steel countertops, extra storage, and other features that your current setup may lack.

Use Inventive Pre-built Options Instead of Custom-Made Cabinets

Custom cabinets can stretch your budget thin. Budget-friendly retailers like IKEA provide options that are faster and more affordable than other options. The quality is excellent as well. They have the same soft-close features and hardware of high-end custom lines.

According to the New York Times, upscale kitchen designers are starting to recognize IKEA’s quality. IKEA’s internal organizers also cost way less than other cabinet manufacturers’. When you choose options like these, you can save time and create more space in your kitchen.

Invest in New Appliances

Purchasing new appliances for your kitchen is a quick, albeit sometimes expensive, way to upgrade your kitchen. A new fridge can create more space for food storage. A dishwasher may revolutionize how you use your kitchen. There are so many different options you can consider when it comes to buying new kitchen appliances.

One thing to remember is the return on your investment. Stainless steel appliances are the most popular and offer the highest return on investment (ROI). Real estate agents usually recommend that you choose stainless steel when purchasing new kitchen appliances.

Kitchen renovations are a great way to enhance the appearance of your home and bring it up to date. Renovations can also increase the comfort and security of your home while offering a healthier and more efficient living environment. Your quality of life can improve dramatically with the proper kitchen renovation!