House Talk with Mark Lotz

Almost everyone has a car and they all have to have repair and maintenance done to it. Whenever people go to get the oil changed in their vehicle they are going to have to wait for it to be done. This is why you want your business to be an inviting and comfortable place so that your customers will always want to come back.   Quick Episode Summary: 1:10 Color Scheme 2:29 Waiting Room Updates 4:22 Beverage Area 4:57 Make it Enjoyable 6:56 Flooring 8:29 Bathrooms

Removing wallpaper can take a long time and be a very laborious task. However, when you know how to do it and have all the proper tools, whether it’s the easy or the more difficult way, you will have a much easier time removing it.  Quick Episode Summary: 1:10 Prepping the Room 1:36 Tools 2:27 Easy Removal  6:01 Difficult Removal

You’re having a few rooms in your house painted but the smaller room is going to cost you more than the larger room. Why is that? Smaller rooms can take a lot more time to paint because there isn’t as much room for you to work in and it can be harder to paint around things.  Quick Episode Summary: 0:35 Simple Paint Example 1:11 Things That Increase Time 3:13 Painting a Small Room vs a Large Room

So many people, when they are planning to repaint a room or two in their homes, look up at their ceilings and think, “It doesn’t look bad. I’m not going to paint it.” However, if you look really close at your ceiling, you will see smudges and cracks and nail pops, among other things. Ceilings get a lot dirtier and honestly need more repair than we realize.  Quick Episode Summary:  0:28 Why Should You Paint Your Ceiling 2:30 Benefits of Painting Your Ceiling

If you like doing DIY projects around your home then you will want to know how to take care of your paint rollers and brushes. It’s important to take proper care of your tools so that you can get the most use out of them.  Quick Episode Summary: 0:47 Cleaning Roller Covers 3:42 Cleaning Paint Brushes

As people get older their lifestyles change. More and more we see people moving closer to the city when their kids are all grown and moved out. They no longer need their big houses and when they live in the city almost everything they need is within walking distance. As they get older it just makes their lives so much easier.  Quick Episode Summary: 0:41 Aging in a Community 1:36 Conveniences of Living in the City 4:56 Rent or Buy

It’s important to do the proper preparation before you begin any project. One thing you may not think about is the yard prep you should do before you paint or do any kind of project on the outside of your home. However, yard prep for exterior house painting is very important for the success of your project. Quick Episode Summary: 0:40 Trimming Things Back 1:42 Protecting Your Plants 2:30 Other Considerations 3:00 More on Trimming 3:46 Enhancing Your Curb Appeal

When you finally decide to get some painting done around your house you need to make sure you do your due diligence and see to it that you know exactly what is going to be on your proposal. By doing your due diligence you will save yourself so much trouble and be sure that your project will turn out the best it can in the end. Quick Episode Summary: 1:00 Preparation List 2:15 Paint Process 3:29 What is Being Painted 4:19 Number of Colors 4:54 Disposal 5:25 Other Things to Know

You want to DIY paint the exterior of your home, but you don’t know where to start. Discover the important steps to paint the exterior of your home yourself.  Quick Episode Summary: 0:40 Preparation Before Painting 2:37 What to Paint First 4:10 Plan Your Work

The maintenance of your restaurant is an important thing to have on your schedule. Restaurants get so much wear and tear with their constant business. Sometimes, they’re so busy it’s hard to keep track of what needs to be done. However, if you want to keep yourself and your customers happy, you will need to have a proper maintenance schedule. Quick Episode Summary: 0:24 The Best Time to Paint 1:23 Bathrooms 2:30 Dining Areas 3:40 Kitchen 4:10 Front Entrance 4:41 Importance of Maintenance

Painting truly is a fantastic way to boost your home's value in addition to helping make it look new and beautiful. All you have to do is choose the right colors that will work for you and your home. Do your very best to preserve it, and you are going to have a lovely home for years to come. Quick Episode Summary: 0:26 Exterior Painting Terms 2:04 Style of Your House 2:38 Subtle or Bold Colors 3:18 Other Factors 4:29 Working With All Your Exterior Colors 5:16 Tips

Your nursing home or assisted living facility needs to be like home to the residents that live there. You would like to make it as welcoming and pleasant as possible. We hope these ideas help you in making your buildings better for those individuals living there right now as well as for those that will live there in the future. Quick Episode Summary: 0:43 Entryway & Reception Area 4:28 Guest Rooms 5:38 Common Areas 8:17 Product Tips

Whizz rollers are extraordinarily diverse. They are being put to use much more frequently by experienced painters in areas where brushes are generally used due to their being a lot more efficient. So what is the very best paint roller to use? Quick Episode Summary: 0:19 What are Whizz Rollers 1:34 Handles 2:34 Where to Use Them 5:05 Covers

You have actually decided to paint the exterior of your home. No matter if you are doing it yourself or employing a contractor, there will be things you need to accomplish in advance. The top 3 things to prepare for an outside paint job are: trimming back trees and bushes, moving vehicles, and removing things on and around the exterior of your home. Quick Episode Summary: 0:28 Trim Back Trees & Bushes 1:06 Move Your Vehicles 1:44 Remove Things On & Around Your House

We often spend a lot of time making the outside of our house look good, however after a couple of years, it does not look very good any longer. This is due to exterior factors. The top 3 factors that negatively impact the outside of your house are: Mother Nature, animals, and insufficient maintenance. Quick Episode Summary: 0:28 Mother Nature 1:20 Animals 2:35 Maintenance

Excessive moisture in the bathroom is among the biggest obstacles most homeowners deal with inside their bathroom. It is necessary to know why it's taking place and how to decrease moisture in the bathroom. By getting ahead of it and fixing it at the source of the problem rather than simply covering it up, you will spare yourself many headaches in the future. Quick Episode Summary: 1:20 Worn Out Exhaust Fans 1:40 Improper Ventilation  1:54 Poorly Insulated Walls & Ceilings

Doctor's office spaces get a lot of wear and tear each day with so many people coming in and out. You would like your patients to feel relaxed and comfortable in your office. It is extremely helpful to go through your building and look at it through a patient's eyes. While you walk, keep in mind these 5 medical office interior improvement ideas. By doing this, you will have the ability to know better what needs to get done to make your office a lot more comfortable and welcoming. Quick Episode Summary: 0:38 Nighttime Painting & Renovation 1:22 Entryway 2:46 Waiting Room 3:34 Hallways 4:27 Bathrooms 5:35 Exam Rooms

Often we get all excited to start a project but neglect to prepare ahead of time and consider all the small details that can ruin or delay its completion. Remodeling is an exciting time but can also be a stress filled time. With the assistance of these 5 things to keep in mind when remodeling your house and planning carefully long before you begin, you can truly make the job flow a lot easier and turn out much better than you pictured in the end. Quick Episode Summary: 1:00 Scheduling 1:28 Paint 3:15 Handles & Knobs 4:36 Lighting 5:45 More on Scheduling

If you are the owner of a small company or the manager of a commercial business within your town, then you understand the significance of outside commercial building upkeep. But often the days and weeks escape you and you concentrate on the interior appearance of your business. But from a customer's viewpoint, the outside appearance of the building, windows, doors, and walkways entering into your place sends a strong impression. Good or bad. What sort of impression do you want to make? Quick Episode Summary: 0:30 What’s Going on on the Outside 0:54 Are You Proactive or Reactive 3:10 When to Check Your Building

Curb appeal is a thing every single homeowner makes every effort to accomplish. You work hard and want to get back at the conclusion of a long day of work and see your home from the drive up and be happy with how it looks. And having terrific outside curb appeal is something you'll need to sell your home quickly on the real estate market. Quick Episode Summary: 0:42 Front Door & Side Lites 1:27 Pressure Wash 2:27 Sealing Driveway 2:41 Misc. Additions 3:22 Lighting 4:17 Repaint or Restain

There are actually tons of different types of caulks out on the market. Many for interior tasks and various other for outside tasks. Find out the best uses for 100% silicone caulk when it comes to your projects, both interior and exterior. The general rule is that where you have water inside or outside your house, you'll really want to use 100% silicone caulk. Only don't paint on top of it, and you should be good to go. Quick Episode Summary: 0:24 Interior Uses 1:17 Exterior Uses

I am a huge supporter of making your house look good in order to resell it. But certainly not one that supports what a lot of real estate agents want you to do. And that would be to redesign your kitchen and bathrooms to sell your house. You will NEVER receive the ROI on that. So that is the reason that I am suggesting you accomplish the 5 ideas to sell your house quickly. Quick Episode Summary: 0:17 Painting 0:34 Plumbing Fixtures 1:03 Popcorn Ceiling 1:35 Laundry Room 2:06 Carpeting

When basement remodeling comes up in a conversation or is seen on a TV show, many think about adding an extra basement bedroom or entertainment area for the kids. Being an empty nester, you may miss your children, however remodeling your basement into something you'll enjoy definitely will eliminate a bit of that 'hurt'. Well, it's your time now as an empty nester to finally get to use the basement for your hobbies and interests. Quick Episode Summary: 1:06 Basement Bar 2:14 Lighting & Outlets 3:31 Sitting Area 4:03 Cabinets 4:35 Work Area 4:55 Planning Ahead

Let's discuss 9 ways to upgrade your kitchen area without needing to do a complete remodeling project. There are huge upgrades you can do throughout a year or perhaps 3 to 4 years. And before you know it, you'll have a brand new cooking area. In some cases conducting a diy renovation can be a lot more workable when you do it in bite-size pieces. It is more time manageable, assists people on a smaller budget, and is really cost effective. I hope you can apply some of the 9 methods to upgrade your kitchen area. Quick Episode Summary:  0:30 Countertops, Sink, & Backsplash 1:40 Cabinets 2:51 Pantry 3:47 New Appliances 4:46 Lighting & Painting

In the event that you are considering having an epoxy or polyaspartic floor coating installed in your garage or basement, I would highly recommend it. Here are a few benefits of garage floor coatings: they are certainly durable, bonds excellently to concrete, up-levels the look of a garage for a display room appeal appearance, resistant to a lot of impacts; highly resilient, stain, chemical and moisture resistant, conceals defects in concrete, and is actually slip resistant. Quick Episode Summary:  0:08 What are Epoxy & Polyaspartic Floor Coatings 1:11 Who Typically Want This Product 3:04 More About Garage Floor Coatings 4:09  Other Areas to Use It 4:24 Benefits

Almost every contractor will provide a different renovation timetable to finish your restroom remodel or kitchen improvement project. And I guess it really does rely on precisely how your general contractor gets things done. However let's analyze some choices that will add a lot more time to your renovating task than you may expect. Quick Episode Summary: 0:36 Countertops 1:36 Mirrors 2:21 Shower Doors & Walls 2:58 Drying Time 3:58 City Inspections  4:44 Change Orders 

So what are a few of the benefits of buying local vs the big box stores? Many of us today want to simply drive to the big box stores like Home Depot or perhaps Menards and do not give our local shops even a thought any more. However the experienced painters, for the most part, are actually purchasing from their local paint stores. Quick Episode Summary: 0:39 Shopping at the Big Box Store 1:09 Shopping at Your Local Paint Store 2:30 Where the Pros are Going 2:32 Why I Like Buying Local

Everybody desires curb appeal for their house. When you drive a car up to your home, it simply makes your house more inviting, even to yourself. Lots of things contribute to better curb appeal. A few items happen to be landscaping, driveways, but especially the outside color of your house. Find out how to pick gutter color whenever having your house painted or stained. You can have the gutters and downspouts blend in or stand out as an accent color.  Quick Episode Summary: 0:19 Cleaning 0:40 Things to Consider 1:43 Check With Your Homeowner’s Association  2:15 Roof Color 3:16 House Siding 3:50 DIY or Hiring a Contractor 4:43 Go Bold 5:14 Ways to Get Ideas

One of the best traits of having an aluminum sided house is the low maintenance. But that does not indicate it is completely no upkeep. So you might be wondering why do I need to be pressure washing aluminum siding? You should power clean your aluminum siding every year simply to keep it clean. A second reason to power wash your aluminum home siding is to prepare your house for painting. Quick Episode Summary:  0:26 First Reason & How to Clean 2:32 Cleaning for Repainting 

Understand the 8 hidden renovation expenses when it concerns upgrading your bathroom. You need to be prepared! You shouldn't be afraid to remodel your kitchen area or bathroom. If you plan out your bathroom or kitchen area renovation ahead of time, you will take into consideration extra expenses in advance. This is just how you have the ability to work your plan, not deal with any hiccups, and also obtain a pretty good idea of how long your remodel is going to take. You will be so much happier if you accomplish your due diligence whenever it pertains to bathroom remodel costs. Quick Episode Summary: 0:48 Removal & Disposal  1:32 Permits & Drawings 2:21 Unexpected Things 4:34 Hire a Contractor or DIY 5:06 Plan Ahead

What is the best way to get more use out of the additional space in your basement? Create an infrared sauna within your basement. I certainly enjoy our nearby YMCA. But there are definitely days that making use of a basement workout space with dry heat sauna is just so much more clean, much less crowded, less inconvenience (zero driving), and as germ-free as it's going to get. Quick Episode Summary: 0:24 Health Club Problems 0:58 How Much Space? 1:37 Sauna 2:10 Flooring 2:38 Exercise Equipment 

Why might you install carpeting versus hardwood flooring? Well, there happen to be many reasons why, but let's go through cost-effectiveness, noise-absorbing, as well as the truth that it really is incredibly pleasant to your feet. I really love carpet more than hardwood. I really like the look of hardwood floors better too. Nevertheless I simply love the feel on my feet and just how much they are able to conceal the dust (if you select a darker color). I believe when raising a family, carpeting is really the way to go. Quick Episode Summary: 0:22 What I Like About Carpeting 2:09 What Are The Benefits 3:58 Carpet Runners

Why would you need to rehang a door? Let's review the most common reasons why: You might just have outdated and bad-looking doors that are beat up. If you would like to replace these doors, you will need to find out just how to rehang a door. In the event that you just purchased a new sofa or maybe moving into a new home, you will have to take a door off its hinges in order to move these objects through. Knowing how to take a door off its hinges or learning how to rehang a door is a real homeowner set of skills you will be thankful to have. Quick Episode Summary: 0:59 The Tools 1:08 How To Hang a Door

Is your aluminum siding looking hazy or possibly chalky? If this is taking place, then you have something referred to as oxidation. In order to fix this, make sure you are washing your siding at the very least once a year. If you are able to afford it, wash it at the beginning of the season, straight following winter, and then again at the end of the fall. This twice a year maintenance of your aluminum siding will definitely keep your house looking clean, but you will also spot anything going wrong with your home that will need a bit of maintenance. Quick Episode Summary: 0:36 What is Oxidation 1:35 What Cleaners to Use 2:36 Pressure Washing 4:04 Types of Pressure Washers 4:26 The Right Pressure 5:17 Do's & Don'ts 6:30 How Often Should You Clean 7:15 Other Things to Take Care of

When remodeling your bathroom, should you put in a walk-in shower? You may be asking yourself, "Will it really be worth it?" I'm finding that a number of my clients plan to install a large, walk-in shower for many different reasons. Quick Episode Summary: 0:28 What You Should Ask Yourself  0:38 Whirlpool Tub Conversion 1:35 Important Things to Consider 

Is it really hard to paint your entryway? Experience, along with the appropriate equipment and tools totally make a difference when you are painting your foyer. An experienced painter has all the important equipment and is completely comfortable with performing a project of this size and scope. However, if you do try to handle painting your foyer on your own, make sure that safety is your number one concern. Quick Episode Summary: 0:27 What You Need 1:15 Quick Suggestions 1:35 Hiring a Contractor or DIY

Recessed Lighting is one of the most-asked-for upgrades when undertaking a home improvement project. Gone are the outdated can lights or floor lights. Today the LED recessed lights are the latest interior design style. But do you have ample space around your ceiling to have recessed lights set up? Quick Episode Summary: 0:30 Lights for Small Spaces

What is so great about painting with a no-VOC paint and should I work with them in my next painting project? I run across a considerable number of my clients that believe it is silly to ask this question. However, I'm a firm believer in the more and accurate info the consumer has regarding VOC paints, the better the decision they can make for themselves and their families. Quick Episode Summary: 0:20 What is VOC 0:57 Low or No VOC Paint 1:42 How to Choose

When can you step upon a deck that has been freshly stained? Lots of factors come into play to figure out when you can start to move patio furniture back on and begin to grill once again. Do not become too anxious. The principal objective here is simply to get the greatest amount of use out of your deck stain.  Quick episode Summary: 0:21 Three Factors for Different Drying Times 0:48 Best Drying Time & Tips

So let us discuss your laundry room. Yes, that is the space no one wants to enter since it's associated with work. I think it is interesting that it is the first room many people come into when they return home from work, shopping or simply shuffling the kids around. I would say over 90% of my clients enter their house via their garage and the very first room they come into is really the mudroom/ laundry room. Quick Episode Summary: 0:53 Lighting 1:16 Flooring 1:41 Cabinetry

So you now have actually made the decision to paint your great room or foyer. You've selected the paint color but soon after the painter has painted just one of the walls, you are thinking, "This could not be the color I chose. It really seems different." Here are a number of things to take into account whenever choosing a color most especially on the interior of your house. Quick Episode Summary: 0:47 Choosing Wall Paint 1:33 Trimwork Colors 1:54 Lighting 2:10 Professional Designer

How should you get a space ready for painting? When we are doing work in our customers' homes, we try to take a systematic approach to preparing your project from the start. So let's discuss today the way to prepare for an indoor painting project. I believe that preparation is truly important to having a job well-done. It's not only about the paint color. Quick Episode Summary: 0:30 Night Before Prep 0:57 First Thing Prep 1:22 Caulk & Prime 1:45 Mask off & Sand

Your contemplating upgrading your bathroom and wonder what it is really going to cost. I think that most people don't realize the intangibles that are really a part of the renovating process which include drawings, permits, inspections, product options, experience and the list continues. I believe it is vital that you educate yourself well before the upgrading process and never after, that could be a much more expensive experience. Quick Episode Summary: 0:46 Questions to Ask 1:04 Pricing Guidelines 

How long does bathroom remodeling take? This is a question you ask long before looking for a contractor. But it might prevent you from carrying out the project entirely. Why? Because you happen to be afraid that it will be a continuous task that you do or your contractor camps out for six months at your home. Well, you are looking to remodel your bathroom and you are truly asking how long will it take to complete the project.   Quick Episode Summary: 0:22 Powder Room 0:31 Guest Bathroom 0:43 Master Bathroom 1:02 The Key to Your Remodel Time

Why exactly do you get cracks and nail pops in your drywall? This is just one of the absolute most typical troubles that homeowners experience today. So just how do we deal with them? With nail pops, get rid of the existing nail or screw and replace with a new screw. You might wish to put the second screw in beside where the old nail or screw was removed. Wrap up using spackle, then sand. Whenever it concerns cracks, cut a v-shape exactly where the crack is, bridge the seam using drywall tape, administer drywall compound, then sand. Quick Episode Summary: 0:41 What Causes Nail Pops and Cracks 1:47 How to Fix Them

Caulking trim before painting seriously is not that tricky. I advise a high quality siliconized caulk. Do not go cheap and do not work with a 100% silicone caulk when planning to paint right after caulking. The paint definitely will not adhere. Be careful also to see to it that the caulk is totally dry or your paint will certainly crack. You'll find that caulking will give your rooms a more finished look and will cut down on the quantity of air that leaks into your home. Quick Episode Summary: 0:31  Caulking Trimwork 1:16 Benefits of Caulking

What are the many different types of interior paint brushes? Just one of the absolute most vital things for you to undertake right before you start a painting project is certainly to get the best tools. There are really so many different types of paint brushes I can't even begin to describe entirely the choices that are readily available to you. Still, let's talk about a few of my personal preferences so you can certainly make use of them too when carrying out your own interior project. Quick Episode Summary: 0:45 My Go To Brush 1:22 My Favorite Brands

Re-staining cedar siding needs to be done to the siding over the years. But how frequently? I usually get asked this question when a homeowner owns a rough sawn cedar house. There actually are numerous factors that certainly drive home what sort of product, what sort of finish, and just how routinely you are likely going to have to stain the exterior of your residence. Quick Episode Summary: 0:24 Types of Stain 1:11 Three factors That Will Change Maintenance

Exterior stain or perhaps paint? I am asked this virtually every week. Which one is actually the perfect one to apply to your house exterior siding? It definitely depends on what kind of house siding you have. Quick Episode Summary: 0:16 Staining Cedar Siding 0:31 Paint Application 0:57 Smooth Wood Siding

Granite and quartz feature numerous positive and also negative qualities about them. But which one should you pick when remodeling your kitchen area or bathroom? Quick Episode Summary:  0:14 Granite vs Quartz 0:49 To Seal or Not to Seal 1:03 Appearance 1:22 Durability 

Exterior stain colors don't look exactly like they do on the store stain charts. But why exactly? Within the past thirty years, stain charts have really altered drastically for the homeowner. They used to place examples on the actual piece of wood for you to see. Now, they're just upon cardboard paper flyer. So how do you go about choosing a stain color and have a good idea of how it will most likely look after applying it? Quick Episode Summary: 0:20 How Stain Charts Have Changed 0:34 How To Pick A Stain Color 1:11 Old vs New Lumber 1:35 Tips to Help You Choose