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Home Improvement Tips

August 9, 2017 By ctech Leave a Comment

Chicago Home Improvement Tips 2017

Chicago Contractor Tips – 2017

NOW is always the best time to make home improvement changes or interior design upheavals – for a renewed appreciation for your house.

Here are some cost-efficient ways you can improve the conditions in your home and help you feel as though you have a new home.

FIX what is broken, replace what is inefficient and throw away the unnecessary. This is very basic, yet most of the problems people encounter in their homes is the cause of either one (or all) of these three things. How often have you been putting off the repair of that leaky faucet, or that broken porch step? Remember that the longer you put off some repairs, like a broken water pipe, the more money you waste on unnecessary water consumption. And it’s not a great idea to start a year by wasting cash which you can use for other more aesthetic home improvement projects. That loose porch step might be the cause of a bad accident, so the longer you procrastinate, the more loose it becomes, and the higher the risk of falling and breaking your foot. If you have other inefficient things around the house, like that electric iron which takes so long to heat up, then replace it as soon as possible. Doing so might save your house from burning down, or it can also help you conserve a lot on your next power bill. Replace the 80’s-era desktop with a more efficient and power-saving high tech laptop. Don’t throw away old things which can still be used, though. Give them to charity. Your junk may be another man’s treasure.

CLEAN, clean clean!! Oftentimes, the value of one’s home greatly depreciates when it is constantly dirty. Dirt destroys paint and deteriorates wood. Dirt encourages bugs to multiply, and may be “heaven” to roaches and rats. Don’t encourage other unwelcome beings into your home by putting off the general house cleaning. Keep your surroundings spick and span – daily, if possible. Remember that the longer you postpone the scrubbing and the cleaning, the harder it becomes to thoroughly get it sparkling. Vacuum the most hard-to-reach places including your furniture. Not only will you feel better, it prevents any type of germs to cultivate in places where they should never be. If you find yourself itching and scratching, or if your child has been sneezing or coughing more often than necessary, then it may be caused by dust and mold. If you feel that you have thoroughly scrubbed the surroundings clean, and yet continue experiencing health symptoms, then it’s time to call the experts. Have a mold specialist and a bug and pest control service check on your home. Remember that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Besides, years from now, when you decide to sell your house and move to your dream mansion, every bit of cleanliness done today will contribute heaps to the higher re-sale value of your house ten years from now.

APPLY a fresh coat of paint, re-arrange furniture and replace bed sheets, seat covers and curtains. All these things are the most inexpensive ways to help you feel as though you’re in a brand new home. Don’t you find that changing your paint color helps revitalize your home, and keep it looking fresh and clean? Of course, prior to doing this, you need to do the first 2 tips stated above, but painting does not cost much – and you can do it yourself, too! It’s a great feeling scouting around for a new color at the home improvement store, then getting down and dirty in your overalls and roller-brush the walls yourself. Not only do you have a spanking-new looking home, you feel a lot of satisfaction by remembering that you did it yourself. You’ll have a renewed appreciation for your space. Next, re-arrange your furniture to get a new perspective. Change the seat covers, so that it matches your newly-painted walls. In your bedroom, change the sheets in colors or prints that are new to you. Sheets are not too expensive – plus they’re washable and reusable too. All of these changes combined will not only bring a fresh new look in your home, you’ll feel like you transferred to a better version of your old one too.

You don’t really need to be an expert to make improvements in your home. If you notice, the home improvement shows on television merely clean and enhance their target homes. You can do that, too. But whatever it is you decide to do, remember that every bit of care you put in today, right now, this very minute into your house will greatly affect its market value and beauty.

A Clean Look

Chicago Painters
5444 N La Crosse Ave
Chicago, Il 60630

Phone:    (773) 777-0048
Fax:        (773) 777-0048
Cell:        (773) 419-1718
Email:     sam@acleanlook.com

Filed Under: Chicago Exterior Painting, Home Improvement Articles, Home Improvement Tips

February 16, 2017 By ctech

Chicago Spring Time Projects

Chicago Home Improvement Services

Spring is right around the corner and its time to start thinking about your next home improvement project.

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Let A Clean Look help you with your next springtime project in Chicago. We are the top handyman in Chicago and can assist you with any home improvement project you might have.  Contact us today for a FREE Estimate on your next project.

A-Clean Look is a fully insured Chicago General Contractor company that has been providing Chicago interior painting and Chicago exterior painting services to the Chicago land area for the past 25 years. In addition to painting Chicago homes and offices, we offer the following Chicago handyman services:

* Chicago tile work

*  Chicago Window cleaning

*  Power Washing in Chicago

*  Chicago Drywall & Plastering

*  Jefferson Park Gutter Cleaning

*  Chicago Remodeling

*  Chicago Faux finishing

*  Illinois Carpentry services.

At A-Clean Look we believe that the foundation of our business rests on three main principals: Solid Work Ethic, Customer Satisfaction and versatility.

Filed Under: Chicago Home Improvement, Home Improvement Tips

September 23, 2016 By ctech

Home Improvement Tips – Gutter Cleaning

CHICAGO HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS – September 2016

Chicago Gutter Cleaning & Repair Tips – 2016

Fall is coming up and its time to start thinking about cleaning out your Chicago area gutters!  Below are some gutter cleaning tips from our Chicago Gutter Cleaning blog. If you need any kind of gutter cleaning or gutter repair service in the Chicago area or North Shore suburbs, contact us today for a Gutter FREE ESTIMATE.

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———> Unclog The Downspouts

Make sure the downspouts are clear. After all the gutters are cleaned out, run the water hose down the downspout at full pressure.

If the water backs up out of the top, a clog is present. Normally, it can be unclogged by tapping on the side of the downspout.

Otherwise, the clog may move to the underground drain.

————>   Get A Gutter Scoop

Scooping out the leafy debris seems to be the best overall method for cleaning out gutters.

An excellent tool for this job is a plastic scooping tool, which can be purchased at most hardware stores.

Plastic scooping tools are unique because the front scooping edge is very thin and forms itself to the bottom of the gutter trough, making it easy to scoop out even the toughest debris in any size gutter system.

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We provide gutter cleaning and gutter repair services to the Chicago area and north shore suburbs including:

–> Lincoln Park Gutter Cleaning
–> Jefferson Park Gutter Service
–> Gold Coast Gutter Cleaners
–> North Shore Gutter Repairs
–> Winnetka Gutter Cleaning
–> Wilmette Gutter Repair
–> Lakeview Gutter Cleaners

* Free Gutter Service Estimate Form
Phone:  773-419-1718

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Chicago Gutter Cleaners
5444 N La Crosse Ave
Chicago, Il 60630

Phone:    (773) 777-0048
Fax:        (773) 777-0048
Cell:        (773) 419-1718
Email:     sam@acleanlook.com

—- FREE Gutter Cleaning Estimate Form

—> Read More Chicago Gutter Cleaning Tips

Filed Under: Chicago Gutter Cleaning, Home Improvement Tips, North Shore Gutter Cleaning

August 22, 2016 By ctech Leave a Comment

Home Improvement Tips – Painting Interior Trim

CHICAGO HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS – August 2016

Choosing the right brushes and working in a systematic fashion are the keys to a quality trim paint job.

Painting interior trim is no different than painting any other kind of wood. Start by sanding it until it is smooth and then apply primer.

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When the primer is dry, sand the trim again lightly using 150-grit sandpaper; this will smooth any grain that was raised by the primer.

Then apply the first coat. If you’ll be applying additional coats, allow the first coat to dry, sand with 220- grit sandpaper, rub with a tack cloth to remove the dust, and then apply another coat.

Choosing the Right Paint & Brushes

Alkyd (solvent-based) paints were once preferred because of their high-quality finish, adhesion, and how well they stood up to abuse, but today’s acrylics are now preferred for several reasons: Their look and durability are comparable, they are easy to apply and clean up, they are kinder to the environment, and they pose a lesser health hazard because their fumes are less noxious.

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When choosing paint for trim, be sure to pick either a satin or a gloss finish. This type of finish gives the trim a shiny quality that will help it stand out against wallpapered or flat-finished walls. In addition to its increased durability, enamel paint also makes a surface more washable.

CHICAGO PAINTING CONTRACTORS 

If you need assistance with any interior or exterior painting jobs, contact us today for a Free Estimate.

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A Clean Look

Chicago Painters
5444 N La Crosse Ave
Chicago, Il 60630

Phone:    (773) 777-0048
Fax:        (773) 777-0048
Cell:        (773) 419-1718
Email:     sam@acleanlook.com

—- FREE Exterior Painting Form

—> Read More Chicago Home Improvement Tips

Filed Under: Chicago Interior Painting, Home Improvement Tips

August 22, 2016 By ctech Leave a Comment

Home Improvement Tips – Exterior House Painting

CHICAGO HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS – AUGUST 2016

Chicago Exterior Painting Tips

No Chicago home improvement project revives, protects and beautifies a house as quickly and affordably as exterior painting.

A new coat of paint can completely transform a house and, though painting a house can be a big job, it’s a project that can be completed in a week or two.

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Whether or not you employ a pro or do-it-yourself, painting your house is something you won’t want to repeat in a few years. With this in mind, listed here are five critical tips which will ease the work and help ensure a beautiful, lasting result.

1: Don’t Skimp on Materials

Purchase top-quality paint, primer and caulking compound. Top-quality paint lasts longer, and flows and covers superior to poor-quality paint. Buy paint that features a lifetime warranty against defects inside the finish.

With a lot of house paint, you will get what you pay for: The best ingredients are expensive. High-quality exterior paint typically costs from $35 to $40 per gallon-in fact, it is possible to pay up to $70. Choose 100% acrylic paint.

Top brands recommended by Consumer Reports include Behr Premium Plus Ultra Exterior, sold at Home Depot, and Clark + Kensington Exterior, sold at Ace. Both contain VOCs (chemical toxins) below federal limits. Both performed well in Consumer Reports’ tests that simulate 9 years of outdoor exposure, and both cost from $35 to $40 per gallon. Other top-performing brands include Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior and Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior-pricier at about $68 per gallon. For complete ratings, visit ConsumerReports.org.

Flat finishes, preferred for siding,do a good job of hiding defects and irregularities. Satin and semi-gloss enamels, useful for trim, are more durable and easier to clean.

2: Do the Necessary Prep Work

For paint to adhere well, it must be applied to a surface that is clean, dry and not flaking or peeling. Depending upon the condition of existing siding and trim, this often means considerable scraping and sanding may be required before you can paint.

Begin by washing the surfaces. You can use a hose and a scrub brush with water and detergent, or a pressure washer. If you use a pressure washer, you must be careful not to drive water deeply into the joints between siding or erode the surface of the wood with the high-pressure water spray.

To remove loose, flaking paint, you’ll need a scraper. Then, for removing tougher paint and smoothing the surface, a 5-inch disc power sander or a random-orbit sander will work well. Start with 60-grit sandpaper and follow-up with 100-grit sandpaper. The idea isn’t to remove all of the paint—just remove loose paint and smooth the surface. Use a putty knife and wood filler to fill cracks and holes. Let the filler dry, and then sand these areas again. Brush off all of the dust, caulk the joints, and allow the caulk to dry before applying primer.

** –> A Clean Look has been doing exterior painting for over 25 years and knows what it takes to do the job right.  We always do the needed prep work including scraping and sanding, washing surfaces, adding primer and everything else required to produce a fantastic result for our clients.  Contact us today for a free estimate by calling 773-419-1718 or filling out Free Estimate Form.

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3: Beware of Old Lead Paint

Though today’s house paints do not contain lead, old paint applied before 1978 is likely to contain lead.

According to the EPA, “Common renovation, repair, and painting activities that disturb lead-based paint (like sanding, cutting, replacing windows, and more) can create hazardous lead dust and chips which can be harmful to adults and children. Home repairs that create even a small amount of lead dust are enough to poison your child and put your family at risk.” For lead testing and removal, the EPA recommends that you contact local lead-safe certified renovation contractors, which can be found through the EPA’s website.

4: Don’t Skimp on Coats of Paint

Begin with a high-quality oil-alkyd primer if you’re painting over bare wood or metal. Some painters like to tint the primer toward the final paint color to minimize the need for two finish coats of paint. Others prefer to tint the primer to a contrasting color, which will highlight any spots where the final coats haven’t completely covered.

Apply the first finish coat and, after it becomes tacky, apply a second top coat.

5: Be Realistic – Exterior Painting is a Big Job!

Don’t paint your house yourself unless you have the time, tools, skills, and stamina to do the work. Though saving half the cost of the job is a strong incentive, be prepared! Depending upon the size—and height—of your house and the condition of the existing siding, preparing and painting a house yourself can be a tedious, difficult job.

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A Clean Look

Chicago Painters
5444 N La Crosse Ave
Chicago, Il 60630

Phone:    (773) 777-0048
Fax:        (773) 777-0048
Cell:        (773) 419-1718
Email:     sam@acleanlook.com

—- FREE Exterior Painting Form

—> Read More Chicago Home Improvement Tips

Filed Under: Chicago Exterior Painting, Home Improvement Tips

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A Clean Look

Chicago Painters
5444 N La Crosse Ave
Chicago, Il 60630

Phone:    (773) 777-0048
Fax:        (773) 777-0048
Cell:        (773) 419-1718
Email:     sam@acleanlook.com

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A Clean Look

Chicago Painters
5444 N La Crosse Ave
Chicago, Il 60630

Phone:    (773) 777-0048
Fax:        (773) 777-0048
Cell:        (773) 419-1718
Email:     sam@acleanlook.com

A Clean Look Painters Chicago
5444 N La Crosse Ave Chicago, IL 60630 Tel: (773) 777-0048
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