Author: etpainting

When something in your house is wrong, then you get signs or indications of the problems. For any home, it is challenging to detect plumbing issues. The easy way to find out problems is to pay attention to the water that comes out of the pipes. The flow of the water determines the common plumbing issues of your house.

Some of the Common Plumbing Problems

1. Low Water Pressure

When you need to take a refreshing shower, low water pressure creates problems and can be annoying. Low pressure indicates that something is clogging in the pipes and needs to be removed immediately. You should call a plumber to check for the blocks in pipes and clear clogs quickly.

2. Spots on the Ceiling

Brown spots are very ugly on the ceiling, and it indicates that water is leaking from the pipes. In this case, the pipes and roof both are to be repaired. Before fixing your ceiling, find out the source of leakage and fix them.

3. Bad or Foul Smell from Drainage

Water in drainage should move out smoothly and fast. There are a lot of bacteria present in the kitchen and bathrooms, and the smell could be coming from them also. If the smell is more, then you should check for any clogs or breakage in the sewage pipes. Call a plumber and review for the clogs.

4. Discolored Pipes

When you in the process of checking all the pipes of the kitchen and bathroom, see if the pipes are discolored. Discoloring is a sign of leakage from the sink or drain line. The discoloring may also cause pressure to build up and create a potential big mess for the entire plumbing. It is time to act fast and replace or repair the discolored pipes.

5. Slow Draining of Water

The most common plumbing problem for most of the houses is the slow drain of water. The slow drain could be due to clogs or other significant issues like tree roots in the pipes. With a little bit of detection, it is easy to find the clogs and remove them. You need to take the help of a plumber to remove blocks like tree roots and other major issues in the sewage line.

6. Increase in Water Bills

When you are using the same amount of water each month, but receive a higher bill for the present month, then you must understand that there are plumbing issues in your house. An increase in bills is a sign of water leakage. It is time to call a plumber to rectify the problem.

7. Problems in Water Heater

In the present scenario, hot water is a must for every family. If the water heaters in your bathrooms are not providing the required hot water, then it is an indication that there are some kinds of problems in the plumbing and pipes of your home. It is time to act quickly and consult a plumber to rectify the problem.

8. Water Problems in Winter

If the water pressure suddenly drops in winter, then it is an indication that pipes are frozen. Frozen pipes are a major issue that needs to be dealt with immediately. Especially in homes where the pipes run through an attic or other unheated space, frozen pipes hold the biggest danger once they thaw. If you are lucky enough that the pipes thaw without creating any issue, it is better to consult a plumber to fix the problem immediately.

9. Peeling Paint in Bathrooms or Home

It is evidence of leakage when you observe peeling or cracked or bubbles or blistering paint in your bathroom or other rooms. Before removing the paint and patching it up, have a plumber to look at the problem and make necessary repairs.

10. A Gurgling Toilet

Unless you have flushed your toilet, it should be pretty quiet. But if you hear gurgling noises before even flushing, then it is evident that there are problems below the bathroom. Blocked vent stack or also block in sewage line could be cause for the sounds. Now it is time to call your plumber to fix the issue.

Preventing Common Plumbing Problems

• Hair, food, and other items cause clogs in the sewage pipes. So always keep an eye on what is going into the pipes.
• Use drain screens to prevent unnecessary materials from entering pipes. Dispose of hair and other materials into dustbins.
• To avoid over-pressure on old pipes, keep the water pressure at 50 psi.
• Use water softeners to reduce mineral content and stop hard water from affecting the pipes.
• Water pipes need to be insulated to prevent them from freezing in the winter season.

Conclusion

Plumbing issues might be small and insignificant, but when neglected, structural problems might be caused to your building and also affect the strength of your house. At Executive Touch Painters, we offer all plumbing services that include installation and emergency repairs. Our team serves in Toronto and the GTA, 24/7 and 365 days for all residential and commercial buildings. Call us at 416-410-0164 for an initial consultation.

Caulking is a simple process that makes your home secure against moisture interference, controls the heat leakage for many years. Completion of the task makes your home more beautiful for years to come. There are some common mistakes committed by most people during the process. Read on to know the common caulking mistakes and how to avoid them.

Common Caulking Mistakes

1. Applying too Much Caulk

When there are cracks on the window, most people are tempted to add more caulk. Even if there are cracks exceeding half-inch depth and wide, do not use caulk. It is better to fill the gap with foam rope.

2.Skipping Tooling

After applying caulk, the tooling process is used for smoothing out the caulk. This significant step does not give an excellent finish but also makes the work look professional. Fingers are the best tools, so move them along the bead to make sure you fill the gaps.

3. Not Selecting the Right Caulk

We have to choose a high-quality window caulk that was manufactured from polyurethane or silicon because they are many varieties of caulks present in the market. Polyurethane caulk adheres well and can long last up to 20 years.

100% Silicone caulk comes with a mixture of both latex and silicone, is waterproof, flexible, shrink-proof, and is commonly found in hardware stores.

Other caulks like resin, oil and butyl rubber are cheap but will not adhere to the surfaces for a long time. Don’t save money on caulk, you will regret later.

4. Not Using The Right Applicator

We need a good caulking gun to dispense correctly. Some make mistakes by using the vessel of caulk from the store, which does not apply to double the tool for direct application.

5. Leaving Old Caulk

Without removal of old caulk sufficiently will leave moisture accumulated over the years on the surface of your window. Buy a putty knife and use a sharp tool to obliterate old caulk.

We should apply a caulk remover gel to remove extra-hard caulk; It takes around 2 to 3 hours to loosen caulk before scraping. After that, clean the surface by using a household cleaner or rubbing alcohol to ensure the surface clean and dry.

Conclusion:

Protecting windows is one of the most elegant ways to ensure your house stays in the highest condition throughout the seasons. If you’re having Home Renovation or Window Caulking issues, then do contact Executive Touch Painters at 416.410.0164 for a Free Estimate! You can also contact us online here.

We Executive Touch Painters undertake both interior and exterior paintings and Home renovations since 1989. We’ll do all kinds of painting and repair jobs that improve your homes’ curb appeal. When the Exterior of your house requires a bit woodworking, wood renovation and painting services, then feel free to get in touch with our professionals.

Toronto is various combinations of architectural styles. Many of our customers are glad to discover that they don’t need to hire multiple contractors to do different painting or renovation jobs. 

We use our decades of experience to undertake exterior paintings, woodworks, wood renovation, and other small to large jobs. Our skilled handyman will make sure that every project completes within the time and budget.

Most of the houses in Toronto are made of wood, and dry rot disease is one of the severe problems faced by house owners. The disease is caused by a fungus, which steadily destroys the timber and causing costly replacements. If the problem is not too big, then the replacement of wood is a good idea. In case the damage is more, then there is no alternative than removing all the infected wood and fill with new ones.

In older homes, replacement may not be the option available. Preserving original architecture is much more essential and also there might be no wood that could match the setting. In this case, remove all the rot and stabilize the infected wood with fillers. Epoxy fillers are the best and should be applied with the help of plastic spreaders. After filling, curing is done to match the wood.

The above process cannot rectify the problem of rot but strengthens and stabilized the wood from inside before painting.

Here are some Exterior wood repair services we provide in Toronto

• Staircases, steps, and stairs window and Doors
• Decks
• Fences
• Railings
• Wooden doors
• Porches
• Hardwood floors refinishing
• Posts and Pillars
• Wood siding
• Tudor
• Bay box windows
• Storage sheds
• Many more

Conclusion

Looking for Professional Exterior wood repairs and painters in Toronto? Then contact Executive Touch Painters at 416.410.0164. You can also visit our website for a Free Estimate!

Wainscoting is a process of attaching wood to the walls of your house as a decorative or protective accent. Wainscoting is often overlooked in the process of home renovation, but it will have an impact on the house after finishing. The process of Wainscoting in Toronto is followed to protect the walls from dents or gouges. A practical decorative touch will make your home look much beautiful. Tongue and groove wood or a simple wooden decorative piece can be used to cover the bottom of a wall up to 5 feet. Depending on your taste and budget, you can install pre-made or create your designs.

Types of Wainscoting

Wainscoting is a design feature that adds depth to your room walls. Here are some of the major types used by most of the house owners

1. Custom Wainscoting Toronto

Custom wainscoting is the most requested design as it is suitable for all types of walls. There is an endless number of wainscoting styles that can be prepared even from a larger selection of small trims. Wainscoting installations are mostly custom made and are prepared on-site. You need to sit down with a design consultant to describe all the pictures that you might have seen, and it can become a reality in your house.

2. Raised Panel Wainscoting

The first-ever wainscoting style was developed in Georgian periods. This styling is prepared by pushing a wooden panel slightly into the room so that it is on the front of all styles and rails. This form of Wainscoting is famous in England, and the bevelled edge created by the moulding looks beautiful and noticeable. Till today raised panel wainscoting is the most formal style used.

3. Flat Panel or Recessed or Shaker Wainscoting

Recessed Wainscoting was developed in North America during the 19th century. The panels are placed a little deeper than rails and styles to give a recessed appearance. There are no mouldings used, so there is a natural look for your house. This type of styling is mostly used in Mission buildings and also in Craftsman houses. Shaker wainscoting is installed on drywalls, and you can also use panel moulding inside the shaker panels to add more depth and character to your design.

4. Beadboard Wainscoting

It is the perfect choice when you want to protect your walls from damages and also give decoration. Beadboard type is installed for walls in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, mudrooms, nurseries, and kid’s rooms. Quite popular in the Victorian period and installed with beaded lines running vertically, while the rails were quite narrow. Today most of the people prefer beadboard wainscoting as it creates casual and country mood in the house.

5. Applique or Traditional Wainscoting

Appliques are seen mostly in grand castles of Europe embossed in gold. This type of Wainscoting will add an elegant touch to any room of your house. There are endless combinations and can also be part of a contemporary look when properly installed and painted. In traditional Wainscoting, chair rail and panel mouldings are installed on the walls.

6. Wall Panel Wainscoting

A flexible wainscoting style that can be used for contemporary or formal rooms. With this style, you could make a beautiful statement for your home. Panel wainscoting is used for a standard wall of height 38″, but can also be extended or customized regardless of ceiling height. The main advantage of this style is that you need not pay for extra material as the walls itself are used as panels.

7. Accent Wall Panel Wainscoting

When anyone enters your house, the first thing they notice is the accent walls. Accent walls are incredibly versatile and play a big part in all aspects of home decoration and design. With the correct layout and design, accent wall panels can transform your home into a haven of creativity and intelligence. From high-end to more serene look, these walls can help you to achieve any style and bring a new feel. Family homes often require a kind of secure or comforting feeling, and accent wall panels do especially well to embrace this idea. They apply that kind of tranquil and relieving factor to a lifestyle that is already hectic enough.

Installation of Wainscoting

There are some series of steps followed in the installation of Wainscoting.

1. Preparation of Area

Before starting, you need to identify the panels used. Based on the instructions manual, decide if you need to prime the walls or not. Prepare the walls and remove the baseboard and outlet covers. If you can carefully pry the baseboard, you can reuse it in the future.

2. Draw lines to locate the Stud

The top and bottom of the Wainscoting are held in place by a cap rail, and a baseboard nailed into the studs. Locate the stud with a nail or stud finder and mark them both at floor level and just above the level line. Be sure to keep an eye on light switches and power outlets. You might need to cut the panels to cover these things.

3. Glue the Wainscoting in Place and Nail the Boards

Spread the glue over the panels and slip the boards into the desired place. Leave about 1/16-inch space between the edges, to allow for expansion in humid weather. Align the top edges with the low-level panels. When the board is placed over the stud, nail it in place.

4. Install the Cap Rail and Baseboard

Now nail the cap in place using #6 or #8 finishing nails. You need to cope inside corners if the rail is complex. Use caulk to fill the nail holes. You could also paint the Wainscoting to look beautiful.

Benefits of Wainscoting

• Wainscoting helps in enhancing and protecting all the walls of your house.
• It can be used to cover the existing damages on walls in an appealing way.
• Wainscoting can prevent damages from chairs or people or doorknobs.
• It provides insulation and improves the energy efficiency of homes.
• Easy to install, clean, and maintain.

Cost of Wainscoting Installation

Most of the contractors charge between $1000 to $ 5000. The rates also change based on the room size and style of panels used. Among the styles in Wainscoting, Beadboard is much costlier than other types.

Cost of the job depends on

• Choice of materials
• Your Location and size of the area
• Time frame
• Design features and complications involved.

Conclusion

Our team of professionals at Executive Touch Painters is ready to install Wainscoting in your house. Looking for Wainscoting installing contractor in Toronto, then call us at (416) 410-0164 or contact us for more details.