What You Don’t Know About Lead Paint That Could Harm Someone You Love

Did you know lead poisoning is a major health concern in the US?

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), lead can be found in many parts of our environment – like the air, soil, water, and even inside our homes. Lead and lead compounds are used in a wide variety of products found in and around our homes, including paint, ceramics, pipes and plumbing materials, gasoline, batteries, ammunition, and cosmetics.

Lead paint is commonly found in homes built before 1978, unless it has been removed. A lead-based paint inspection can show you whether or not the leaded pain is still there. Lead exposure is especially dangerous for pregnant women and for children six years and younger.

According to the EPA, if you own an older home in Ann Arbor or in its surrounding areas, you may be at an increased risk of health problems, including:

Children

1.      Behavior and learning problems

2.      Lower IQ and Hyperactivity

3.      Slowed growth

4.      Hearing Problems

5.      Anemia

Pregnant Women

1.      Reduced growth of the fetus

2.      Premature birth

Other Adults

1.      Cardiovascular effects, increased blood pressure and incidence of hypertension

2.      Decreased kidney function

3.      Reproductive problems (in both men and women)

If you own an older home, you should find a painting contractor in Ann Arbor that is lead- abatement certified to perform a no lead paint renovation. According to federal law, contractors and owners of rental properties are required to inform occupants about the risk of lead-based-paint before non-emergency repair, maintenance, and home renovation work. By doing so, they demonstrate to the owners/renters that they understand the risks and show that they take specific precautions to protect against lead-based paint hazards.

If you’re concerned about the possibility of having lead-based paint in your home, call an experienced painting contractor in Ann Arbor. Mussio Painting will make sure your house is free of lead paint, so you don’t have to worry about risking your family’s health. Call (734) 995-2646 to receive a detailed bid. We treat every home as our own! 

Master Painters in Ann Arbor Suggest the Easiest Way to Remove Wallpaper

Can I remove wallpaper without frustration?

How do I remove wallpaper without destroying my walls?

Does it matter which wallpaper solution I use?

We’ll do our best to answer all your unanswered questions because we’re Ann Arbor’s master painters!

We’d like to offer you our suggestions for removing unwanted wallpaper in your house (almost) pain free. Some of the steps you can take are:

1. Use a concentrated remover solution (like vinegar and water). This should help dissolve the wallpaper glue.
2. If the wallpaper doesn't peel off effortlessly, spray the vinegar and water remover solution on the wall and let it penetrate.
3. After the solution has soaked through, try peeling the wallpaper, starting with the bottom corner.
4. Scrape the leftover backing with a putty knife using light pressure.
5. When you think the wallpaper and glue are removed, spray the wall with the vinegar and water solution one more time and scrape off any missed spots.
6. Lastly, wipe down the walls with a damp cloth.

When the removal process is over, there may be a little damage to your walls depending on your previous wallpaper installation technique. If proper preliminary steps were taken, like sealing the walls with a primer, your walls should be damage free after the removal process.

If you’re concerned about the amount of time and effort it might take to remove your wallpaper, no worries! Mussio Ann Arbor Master Painters will get the job done, so you don’t have to worry about the headache. The #1 easiest way to remove wallpaper is to hire us to do it! Call (734) 995-2646 to receive a detailed bid. We treat every home as our own! 

Mussio Painting Warns “Don’t Paint in Cold Weather Before You Read This!”

We’ve been though a tough winter and spring is finally here! People are itching to get their home improvement projects started, but it’s still chilly out. Have you found yourself wondering, “can I still paint outdoors?”

Here’s the answer you need ... maybe!

You can paint in cold temperatures to a point, but it will take longer for your paint to dry. Keep in mind, however, that cold weather can also affect the quality, appearance, and performance of your paint.

According to our research, the following problems can occur if you paint in temperatures of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below, including:

1.      Paint can coalesce or merge together, which can cause it to crack

2.      Poor touch up quality

3.      Inadequate stain resistance

4.      Issues with color uniformity

5.      Heavy film might lengthen the drying period

6.      Your paint will require more mixing time

7.      Improper film formation may cause a powdery residue

8.      Your touch up coat may look lighter than your base coat

9.      The cold may shorten the durability of your paint

If you’d like to start a painting project, but don’t want to deal with the problems that occur in cold weather painting, Mussio Ann Arbor Painters will take on your project! Our Ann Arbor painters are skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced servicing satisfied customers since 1984.   Call (734) 995-2646 to receive a detailed bid. We treat every home as our own! 

See How Easily You Can Make Paint Last

Have you ever painted your home or had a contractor paint it for you?

Perhaps, afterward, you were stuck with buckets of extra paint?

If so, you may be wondering how long the leftover paint lasts after the job is done. 

Many people save it for touch ups and future home improvements. But, you may have some questions on how to preserve the paint, so it lasts until you need it.

Are you aware that with proper care, paint can last more than 10 years? 

Mussio Painting Company in Ann Arbor answers the top 3 commonly asked questions about paint storage below:

1. Is all leftover paint good for reuse?

It depends on how much time the paint has been exposed to air, which causes it to harden. To minimize exposure, you can pour the paint you actually use into a roller pan until you need more. Keep the rest of the new paint in a closed bucket as much of the time as possible.

2. How do I seal the paint can?

There are many ways to ensure you have a good seal on a paint can. First, you should clean the cover of excess paint to ensure there is no room for air pockets. Secondly, lay a piece of plastic wrap atop the paint before pressing the lid down. Thirdly, to ensure no air escapes, use a rubber mallet to tap the lid down firmly.

3. Where should I store it?

People will tell you different things. However, storing paint in a climate-controlled environment is best. In addition, leaving paint cans on a concrete, stone or tile floor can produce moisture that will cause rust over time, possibly resulting in distortion of the original paint color.

If you’re concerned about the amount of leftover paint, a painting project can leave when the job is through, no worries! Mussio Painting Company in Ann Arbor will take the leftover paint, so you don’t have to worry about where to store it, or how much space it will take up. Call (734) 995-2646 to receive a detailed bid. We treat every home as our own! 

Lead Abatement?

Hi guys,

Spring is almost upon us and many of you are planning on giving your home a fresh new look this year. One of the things that I did to my home was to get some interior painting done. However, my home was built before 1978 so I knew that I needed to have find a contractor in the list of Ann Arbor Painters that was lead abatement certified.

I am glad that I knew that my house was built before 1978 and that no lead paint renovation had been done to it. I really love this house and I need it to be safe. The EPA has laws and regulations concerning who is able to perform these complex renovation procedures. My house painting contractor assured me that he was certified and told me that his guys took all the necessary classes and would work hard to make my my home safe. My painter was able to show me his certification and even went as far as to walk me through what on site practices he was going to conduct.

In closing, I want to really pound home the importance of making sure your home doesn't still have lead paint in it. If it does you NEED to make sure you find a company that is certified and knows what they are doing. Remember that it always is better to be safe and have piece of mind.

Thanks,

S.G.