Summer in Tennessee calls for lots of outdoor time with friends, family, or even a good book. If you have a front porch, a backyard patio, or a full wrap-around deck, there are some important things to do to prepare your deck for another season of foot traffic and summer heat.

1. Do a clean sweep

Depending on how much you used your patio during the winter and spring, your patio likely needs a good cleaning. Pull out your leaf blower (or borrow one from your neighbor) to do a quick clean-up of dirt, leaves, and debris. Even that one simple step will make all the difference!

2. Freshen Things Up with paint or Stain

Never underestimate the power of a fresh layer of stain or paint to give your deck or patio new life. This is a great weekend DIY project (we recommend doing it several weeks before your first porch gathering). And, in case you missed it, we have a more comprehensive guide to staining your deck right here.

4. Renew or Update Your Patio Furniture

If you just picked out new patio furniture, feel free to skip this step! However, if you have some furniture in your garage or have had it covered during the winter season, you’ll want to give it all a quick cleaning. Again, this is where a leaf blower can come in handy to quickly remove that top layer of dirt.

3. Add Some flair

Because it’s a space you’ll likely use a lot during the summer months, make it a space you love. Think cozy cushions in your favorite color, a bench swing, your favorite outdoor plants, or a slew of potted flowers, etc.

Need help with one of the summer projects on your home? We do everything from pressure washing, to staining, outdoor and indoor painting, and more.

If you’re in the Nashville or Middle Tennessee area, contact our ProTek team today to get a free, personalized quote!

The post Our Mini-Guide for a Summer-Ready Deck appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

By addressing these 5 things, you’ll instantly make your home more appealing to buyers so you can sell it for top dollar in a flash.

1. Focus on curb appeal.

 According to a study done by Michigan State University, a home with landscaping and effort put into curb appeal can increase perceived home value by 5 to 11%. The study says it all. Curb appeal will help you sell your home faster! A few things to consider to upgrade your home’s curb appeal include fresh landscaping, painting your front door, redoing your walkway, and cleaning your roof and gutters. And for the biggest, most dramatic effect, give your house a power wash and a fresh coat of paint. Find more tips on upping your curb appeal right here.

2. Update your kitchen/bathroom.

The saying is true. Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. If these rooms are outdated, it will make your whole home feel as though it needs a major overhaul. By making changes like new appliances, granite countertops, or a fresh coat of paint on your cabinets, you can potentially increase your home profits by thousands of dollars. Try to look at your kitchen and bathroom from an outside perspective and be honest with yourself about what needs to be done to sell your home for top dollar.

3. Paint your house in neutral colors.

While it may have been tempting to paint your living room your favorite shade of green or make your son’s room that bright blue shade you saw in a magazine, bold color choices don’t allows bode well when it’s time to sell. By choosing neutral paint shades like whites, grays, and beiges for your listing photos, you allow the potential buyer to envision their own designs in your home. Consider fresh neutral paint throughout your home to attract the largest amount of buyers.

4. Declutter and organize.

If you’ve lived in your home for more than a few years, chances are it is full of stuff. That’s why decluttering is one of the most important things you’ll do before selling your home. Homebuyers are always looking for storage and space when viewing properties. Empty shelves and closets will help them to feel there is space for all of their needs. Rooms without clutter will also make your house look more spacious. So take a look around your home and start moving out things that can be donated or thrown away.

5. Light it up!

Last but not least, the lighting in your home matters! If you have the budget, update light fixtures throughout your home to ensure rooms are well-lit. Make sure windows are in good condition as well. The brighter your spaces, the larger your rooms will feel, and the more inviting your home will be overall. Don’t forget to light it up!

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As you decide which house projects to pursue, remember that you want to interest as many buyers as possible. Neutral design schemes will appeal to more people. Unsure of what steps to take before selling your home? Talk with a local realtor. Then reach out to our ProTek Painting Services team to get your house ready to list. Good luck, and happy house selling! 

The post 5 Projects You Must Tackle Before Selling Your Home appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

Looking for professional help with your wallpaper removal job? If you’re in MIddle Tennessee, our Protek Professional Painting Services team would love to help! Reach out to us right here.

Always do wallpaper removal before painting

Whenever possible, you should always try to completely remove your wallpaper before painting your space. This will give you smoother, more professional-looking results that last for longer. Wallpaper under the paint can cause it to bubble and detach from the wall. Wallpaper that has been painted over is also extremely hard to remove later on. Even if there are a lot of layers of wallpaper or you’re facing a generally tough job, it will always be worth it to remove the wallpaper completely first.

Test your wallpaper

If you’ve spent any time researching beforehand, you’ll know there are a handful of different methods for removing wallpaper. To test the initial ease of your wallpaper removal, we recommend using a great utility knife to pry the paper up in an area that’s not easily noticeable. Can you pull the paper down the surface of the wall? This is great news! You most likely will not have to soak, steam or dry-strip the walls. If you have a tough time pulling the paper off by hand, you’ll want to look into soaking, steaming or dry-stripping instead. 

Know your walls

So your wallpaper isn’t budging by hand. How do you know which method to try next? First, find out if your walls are plaster or drywall. Homes that are 50+ years old typically have plaster walls, while newer homes use drywall. Drywall is much more delicate, so keep in mind that you won’t want to soak or steam-strip it and you’ll need to consider other options. 

Make sure you have the correct tools for the job

With the right tools, a wallpaper removal job can be relatively easy, even though it is time-consuming. Once you know if your wallpaper is easily peelable and if you have plaster or drywall, you can choose the best tools to get the job done right the first time. If your wallpaper can be stripped, all you’ll need is a great utility or putty knife and your hands! If you have plaster walls and decided to use a soaking method, grab a liquid stripper concentrate from your local home improvement store and a large brush or sprayer. You can find more in-depth instructions for this method right here. For a steam removal, you’ll need a steamer, scoring tool, gloves, and goggles. You’ll also want some extra help from a friend. You can find more instructions on this method here. 

Hit a dead end? Don’t be afraid to reach out to the experts.

Sometimes in the wallpaper removal process, you may encounter damage or unexpected complications. In those cases, it’s always best to reach out to a professional for help before moving forward. Our ProTek team is licensed and insured and has expansive experience with the wallpaper removal process. If you’re in Middle Tennessee, specifically Williamson or Davidson County, we’d love to help you with your job!

Fill out a contact form right here and we’ll have a member of our team get back with you as soon as possible. 

The post What You Need To Know About Wallpaper Removal appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

There’s plenty of inspiration to be found in the colors of fall, so today we’re rounding up some fall inspired paint colors that will look great in your space all year round.

Looking for a local painting professional in Davidson County, Williamson County or the Greater Nashville area? Connect with one of our ProTek Painting Professionals right here!

1. Forest Green

One of our favorite fall inspired paint colors has to be this amazing forest green shade. This could make for a dramatic dining room or living room space, or work as an accent color in a kitchen or bathroom as well! Where would you use a dark green shade like this?

2. Burnt Orange

Orange isn’t only for pumpkins anymore! There are lots of more mature orange shades that will look great in your living space. When you’re working with such a rich color, keep your accents and furniture cool with deep browns and lots of crisp whites, like in this vibrant dining room.

3. Rich Red

If you’re looking for anew paint color that will provide immediate impact in your home, why not go for a red? While red may not be the right choice in every room of your house, it can definitely set a memorable tone in the right space. We actually really enjoy a rich red in a living room because it prompts conversation. It’s the perfect backdrop for all your memorable moments to come.

4. An Attractive Mustard

When you think of relaxing colors, yellow might not be the first one to pop into your mind. But in the right shade, a yellow or mustard paint color can make you feel both happy and relaxed in your home! This is also a great color for an accent wall in any area of your home if you’d like to make a smaller commitment.

What other fall-inspired paint colors are you loving this year?

If you’re feeling inspired by any of these fall paint colors and would like to make a change in your space, reach out! Our team of ProTek Painting Professionals would love to help make your design vision come to life.

The post Fall Inspired Paint Colors That Look Great Year Round appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

Internet reviews and suggestions from family and friends can be helpful. However, it can be difficult to know if you’ve made the right choice when it comes to painters. When you’ve found a local painting company that seems like a great fit, how can you know for sure?

Here are 3 signs that you’ve found the right local house painters. 

1. Your local house painter sticks to promises and deadlines.

This is the biggest thing that will quickly set some local painting companies apart from others. Many paint contractors will make big promises on the front end that they can’t necessarily keep. You may have dealt with companies in the past that don’t return calls and emails or follow through on deadlines in a timely fashion. If your local house painter follows through with consistent clear promises and communication, then you’ve found a great company. Be sure you find out what the policies are if they don’t work within their promised deadlines as well. This will be important for you to know. 

2. They respond and communicate quickly.

How long does it take your local painter to respond back to your calls? Do they give you an option to communicate over email as well? When something goes wrong or plans change, what is their method of alerting and informing their customers? Make sure your painting company communicates quickly, and that you can trust what they say when interacting.

3. They’re licensed and insured with great reviews.

A licensed and insured painting company is an absolute must-have. Having the appropriate insurance and paperwork in place will help legally protect you, and your property throughout the house painting process. Don’t even consider working with a company that isn’t able to show you a proof of their licensure.

The Internet is also a great way to hear from others who have worked with your painting company. Check out reviews on Google, Yelp, and even local Facebook community groups for the real story on the company you’re looking to partner with.

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If you find local house painters that pass this test with flying colors, you’ve most likely found a great fit for your needs!

Are you looking for interior or exterior local house painting services in Davidson County, Williamson County or the Greater Nashville, TN area? Our professionals here at ProTek Painting Services would love to serve you on your next project! You can find out more about us here and reach out for your personalized quote.

The post 3 Signs You Found the Right Local House Painters appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

Have you spent endless hours doing Google searches, scouring websites, and asking your friends for referrals, discounts, and phone numbers?

Whether you’re undertaking a house painting project big or small, it’s important to have trustworthy, experienced and reliable house painters on your side. But how can you know who will actually do work that is timely, consistent, professional?

Here are some major things to keep in mind the next time you’re looking to hire a local painter or house painter. Have any other tips and tricks that you’ve learned that we didn’t share here? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below! 

1. Read local house painter reviews.

Without a doubt, the Internet has made it much easier to do your research on local businesses. Yelp,  Google and Facebook Reviews can all be helpful in gathering the information you need to make an educated choice. If multiple customers have encountered the same issues with a painting company you’re considering, that is a red flag. Make yourself aware of issues like this beforehand so you can knock them off your list of prospects.

2. Figure out exactly what you want. 

One major mistake many homeowners make is not deciding exactly what they want before hiring a house painter. Don’t do this! Gather some inspiration, and assess your vision and the needs of your home beforehand. The better you can capture a vision of what you’d like done ahead of time, the better a local painter can help you bring your vision to life.

3. Make sure you ask questions!

Here at ProTek, we never want there to be any surprises or unmet expectations on the part of our clients. It’s important that you find a house painter who is willing to answer all of your questions (sometimes twice). They should also be willing to explain why they do things the way they do them. Get a complete understanding of what work your local painter will do, and what the cost will be to you. Much of this should be covered in your initial estimate and contract.

4. Get quotes and estimates with a full scope of the work to be done. 

Are you considering more that one house painter? Then you’ll want to get a feel for what you could expect working with each one. Our ProTek team offers free estimates and consultations, and many other companies in your area should do the same. Once you have quotes and estimates for more than one company, compare these documents. Consider not only the estimated price but also the clarity of the estimate and what services they will include. For many, this is the step that will make it very clear exactly who you should hire. 

5. Consider the credentials and affiliations of each painter.

Any house painters you are considering should be licensed and insured. They should also be willing to share their credentials, affiliations, and some examples of their past work and jobs they’ve completed. If they’ve received past awards and certifications in your area, even better. The company you choose should have extensive insurance that covers the job being done, and any additional damage or accidents that might occur. These assurances will help give you peace of mind regarding the expertise and care that you’ll receive as their client.

6. Make sure you have a full and thorough contract

Finally, never hire or pay a local house painter if they aren’t willing to sign a written contract or agreement. This contract should include the full scope of work, including the painting services and techniques. Your contract should also note the supplies that will be used, the estimated number of hours and at what rate, and a signature from both parties. Before signing your contract, be sure that you fully understand what is included. 

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Are you looking for a local house painter in the Greater Nashville area? Our ProTek Painting Professional Services team serves Davidson County, Williamson County, Sumner County and more! From Franklin to Hendersonville, we’re the best choice for local painting services done right. Ready to get started? Get a free quote, find out more about our credentials, or give us a call at 615-339-8619. 

The post How To Choose The Right Local House Painter appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

Need help with removing popcorn ceilings on your property in Middle Tennessee? Reach out to our ProTek team for your free estimate today! We’d love to help you turn your space into a place that you love.

1. Test for asbestos first!

If you live in an older home, it’s possible that your ceiling may contain asbestos. This material has now been proven to cause certain types of cancer. This is serious stuff. Before tackling your popcorn ceilings, we highly recommend contacting a company like ProTek TN or your local health department about asbestos testing. If your home tests positive, there are other options you will want to pursue, like covering the ceiling with drywall or hiring one of our local experts.

2. Expect to make a mess

If you decide to move forward with your popcorn ceiling project, know that this will be a messy job. Choose a time when you won’t need to utilize the rooms or spaces that you’ll be working on. Cover all surfaces in the room. Remove any valuables and make sure you can stay out of that specific area for an extended amount of time. If you’re able to, we would also recommend removing furniture, as dust and materials can linger in cracks and crevices longer than you might expect.

3. Use the right tools

One of the most important parts of the popcorn ceiling removal process is making sure you have the right tools for the job. Depending on the size of your room, and the condition of your ceiling, you’ll want to do some research online to figure out which tools are best. Wondering what to use when it comes to the actual scraping? While you can use a standard drywall knife, but there are some popcorn ceiling scrapers now on the market that can make the job a little easier for DIYers.

4. Refinish your surfaces

If you were able to remove the popcorn effect from your ceiling, congratulations! At this point, you’ll know that there is still work to be done. Removing the popcorn will often reveal discolorations, imperfections and other trouble spots you may not have noticed before. This is totally normal. Be prepared to sand out imperfections, and contact an expert for any patches and fixes, or when a professional paint job is needed.

5. Be consistent with your space

It’s important to ensure that each room in your home represents the same high quality of work. While it’s fine to have accent ceilings in various rooms if you’re going to remove one room’s popcorn ceiling we recommend doing them all. Are you considering reselling your house in the future? This will increase it’s perceived value and make your home feel more modern and well cared.

Have you ever attempted to remove a popcorn ceiling? What questions do you have about the process? If you’re in Middle Tennessee and looking for help with your popcorn ceiling project, you’re in the right place! Connect with our experienced ProTek team right here!

The post What You Need To Know About Removing Popcorn Ceilings appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

Depending on the color scheme that you’re hoping for, there are many great options to consider. Your bathroom area doesn’t just have to be the standard white that you see in so many other bathroom spaces. Adding color is actually a great option for this area of your home.

These simple tips are easy to follow and are very helpful in finding that perfect color for your space.

How to Choose a Paint Color in Your Bathroom

Tip #1: Choose a bright colored paint if your bathroom lighting is minimal

Depending on how much natural lighting your bathroom gets, you may need to look at brighter colors. Bright colors help to reflect light and make your room feel more spacious. Bathrooms tend to be limited in space and lighting, and this combination can cause a small area to appear even more closed in. 

Tip #2: Can’t decide on a color? Paint small streaks of each paint color choice on your bathroom wall

This is a great way to get a feel for how each paint color choice will look on your bathroom wall. This is obviously a smaller representation of the possible outcome, but it still shows how the color will look once dried. You may be surprised that a color you liked in the can may not be your favorite anymore once it’s one the wall! 

Tip #3: Choose a paint that is mildew and water resistant

Have you found a color of paint that you love for your bathroom? Make certain that it’s suitable for a hot and wet area. From showers to baths, there will be plenty of moisture in the air, and your paint will need to be able to endure it. 

By remembering these simple tips and steps, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect paint color for your bathroom with ease! Have fun choosing a color that really lights up the room and provides protection from the humid climate! 

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