• Painter’s tip—how to choose interior paint finishes
• Learn how to prevent more water damage to your home
• Quick tips to reduce allergies and keep your home healthy
• New flooring can be intimidating
• New categories and category additions

No matter how much time you spend picking paint colors, if you choose wrong interior paint finishes for your interior home painting project, you can ruin the whole look. Truth be told, there are so many names that paint manufacturers use to describe the sheen level of their products, that they can make anybody's head spin: flat, matte, eggshell, silk, satin, low-luster, semi-gloss, gloss, high gloss finish and so on. These paint finish names differ not only between manufacturers, but even between different product lines from the same manufacturer. And to add to the confusion, the paint sheen level can also be unpredictable - for example, you can buy 2 cans of satin paint from different lines or different paint makers, and they will look differently one will be shinier than the other. But in essence, things are much simpler than they seem.Choosing the best paint finish for your interior home painting project will be easy when you understand this.

Most manufacturers offer 4 types of interior paint finishes - ranging from dull to shiny. The first 2 are usually used for the walls, while the last 2 are recommended for the trim, doors and windows.

Understanding Interior Paint Finishes

• All paint manufacturers have flat or matte paint.

  Flat interior paint produces a dull, even velvety type of finish that looks great on most interior walls. It is easy to touch up and it adds richness to the paint color and hides many surface imperfections. Besides, only flat paint should ever be used for painting ceilings.

  The only drawback to this paint finish is that its porous surface absorbs all household stains like a sponge and can't be washed. The solution is simple, washable matte paint.

• The next level of sheen that interior paint comes in is eggshell, that you can also see called satin, silk or low-luster.

  Many homeowners choose this paint finish for kitchens and bathrooms, because it is less porous than flat paint and doesn't get soiled as fast. This finish is pretty low maintenance, but can highlight some surface flaws and even show roller marks if used for painting large walls, such as foyer walls.

  The last 2 interior paint types are often called enamels - paints that produce a harder finish with a noticeable gloss.

• Semi-gloss paints are very durable and easy to clean.

  This fact seems so irresistible to some homeowners, that they decide to paint their kitchen, bathroom, hallway and even living room and bedroom walls in a semi-gloss finish - a very bad idea!

  First of all, when was the last time you actually washed your walls? Second, even if you really do wash your walls from time to time, by all means, use a washable matte paint!

  No matter what color, semi-glossy walls look poor and cheap. Plus, they showcase every little surface flaw and brush and roller marks on the walls. So please, use this type of paint finish only for what it's meant - painting doors, windows and trim.

• The last type of interior paint finishes is gloss or high gloss.

  Glossy paint is very popular for doors, windows and trim, because of its smooth, non-porous finish - dust and dirt dont seem to stick to it and glide right off, making house cleaning a breeze.

  This paint finish is very shiny and just like semi-glossy paint, it should never be used for painting walls or ceilings - if a tasteful, beautiful home is what you want.

Article submitted by: Pro Team Painting and Coating, Inc. Call ToFixIt today at 602-863-4948 or visit the website at: http://www.tofixit.com/phoenix/index.php/painting-interior-exterior/ to find a professional painting contractor in your area.

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Water damage can be devastating, so the sooner restoration begins; the better.

If you have a flood, professionals often recommend the following steps be taken to ensure that your job doesn’t haunt you resulting in higher cost and ongoing issues for you and your property. Learn the first steps you as the home owner can do to help prevent more damage.

• Identify the water source and shut off the water if possible. Some leaks are not able to be shut off immediately and require additional contractors to have them fixed. Find the source prior to making the call.
• Contact a plumber or air conditioning company to repair the water source. By repairing the source, the professional will be able to remediate the area quickly and effectively minimizing ongoing damages and costs.
• Let the professionals assist you in processing the water claim. Whether you choose to go through insurance or to make other arrangements regarding your loss let the professionals assist you in the process to ensure you get the best coverage and quickest response time.

Article submitted by: Dry Force, Inc. Call ToFixIt today at 602-863-4948 or visit the website at: http://www.tofixit.com/phoenix/index.php/water-removal-flood-assistance to find professional water and flood specialists.

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The best way to reduce allergic reaction to dust, mold and other indoor allergens is to reduce your exposure to them. Do you know how often the professionals recommend you have your carpets and upholstery cleaned? This and many other suggestions are listed below. Read more to learn what the experts have to say.

Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy home environment

• Control moisture and humidity (60% humidity or lower) by using a dehumidifier or air conditioner.
• Vacuum carpets, floors and upholstery three time a week using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate) filter. Ask your professional carpet and floor expert for vacuum cleaner recommendations.
• Sweep entrance mats regularly to reduce the amount of dust and soil tracked inside.
• Have your carpets and upholstery cleaned at least twice a year by a professional, or more often if you have children or pets.
• Have your heating and air conditioning system inspected and serviced twice a year, and use and replace high-efficiency filters monthly.
• Have mattresses and boxes springs professionally cleaned, then encase in allergen impermeable covers.
• Wash bed linens and coverings weekly in hot (130F) water.

Article submitted by: Brimley’s White Glove Chem-Dry Call ToFixIt today at 602-863-4948 or visit the website at: http://www.tofixit.com/phoenix/index.php/carpet-upholstery-cleaning Find a professional to help reduce the indoor allergens in your home.

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So you’re looking for some new flooring. This can easily be an overwhelming task. You go into the store and you see hundreds or even thousands of different samples; from hardwood to travertine to carpet to laminate. Where in the world do you start?

First, take a deep breath; this doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By finding the answers to a few key points you can help yourself by understanding what you want and need from your floors.

Have you ever been to someone’s house and loved the way their floor looked and thought “that’s what I want in my house”? Well, that’s a great place to start. Think of things that are aesthetically pleasing to you and see if you can combine form and function. The amazing thing about all of the choices is that the two are no longer mutually exclusive.

This is the time to decide what you don’t like about the floor you have now.

You may have never given a real thought to your floors; after all, everyone has a floor.

• You may like some, you may hate some. What is it that you dislike about the floor that you have?
• If it’s the color, that may seem like an easy choice, but is there more?
• Is it hard to clean?
• Is it good for the area where you have it?

Think through this carefully so you don’t end up picking a floor that has all of the qualities that you dislike.

• Last but not least, know the vision of your space.
• If you want light colors in a room that gives you an excellent starting point.
• Who will be using this room?
• Is there heavy traffic?
• Do you want something cool to the touch or something to keep your feet from getting chilled?
• Do you have allergies and need to get rid of any textiles?
• Do you love burying your face in nice, plush carpet?

Thinking through these points can give you a good place to start and peace of mind knowing that you’ve taken the time to think about what you want and need. Knowing what you want and keeping an open mind will carry you through your flooring journey. After all, you may be surprised by something you didn’t even know existed. Stranger things have happened.

Article submitted by: Direct Carpet One. Call ToFixIt today at 602-863-4948 or visit the website at: http://www.tofixit.com/phoenix/index.php/flooring-carpet-sales-installation to find professional flooring –carpet sales and installation specialists.

Be sure to visit the Coupon/Promotion section for this newsletter to view a special discount offer.