Prepare Your Home for Winter - Hester Painting & Decorating offers tips to preserve your home’s Exterior

Chicago (December 3, 2006) Harsh Chicago winters are brutal on a home’s exterior, and a bit of pre-season preparation goes a long way.  Homeowners who take time to assess, repair and prepare their homes now can help avoid costly repairs come spring.  With winter quickly approaching, Hester Painting & Decorating, a family-owned and operated painting, wall covering installation and faux finishing company, offers some simple tips for maintaining a home’s outer beauty:
• Walk around your home’s exterior and make sure painted areas have not cracked or peeled.  Properly painted areas not only look better, they also protect the home as exposed wood is especially prone to weather damage.  Any problem areas should be repaired before winter sets in.
• Examine your gutters and clear out any debris.  Roof damage occurs when water gets backed up and leaks in.  By clearing out any leaves and dirt now, you’ll save yourself plenty of expense and heartache from internal wall and ceiling damage.
• Inspect all horizontal surfaces such as windowsills, steps, thresholds and decks for wear and tear from summer sun and traffic.  As these flat areas are particularly vulnerable, you’ll want to monitor them through the winter and keep them clear of settling snow and water.
• Cover all outdoor furniture.  While it’s tempting to leave it as is, the minimal effort involved in covering patio furniture will reward you many times over.  If you’ve got the space, storing it indoors is even better.

To further help identify potentially serious problems, Hester Painting & Decorating offers homeowners an Exterior Maintenance program.  This begins with a free, comprehensive review of the home’s exterior condition, including a detailed evaluation, cost estimates and timelines for suggested repairs.  To join or learn more about the program, contract Steve Hester at (847) 677-5130, ext. 11.

“Preventative care makes a world of difference to a home’s look and quality – and to the homeowner’s wallet,” said Steve Hester, president of Hester Painting & Decorating.  “Repairs that have been put off too long are far more costly than preventative maintenance.”

Hester Painting & Decorating has been providing homes and high-profile commercial establishments in the Chicagoland area with high-end painting and decorating services since 1968.  Widely regarded as a leader in the fields of painting, faux finishing and wall covering installation, Hester Painting & Decorating utilizes an enormous repertoire of finishes and techniques to create unique environments for its clients.  For more information, visit www.hesterdecorating.com or call (847) 677-5130.

 Contact:

      
Cheryl McPhilimy
cheryl@mcphilimy.com
or 
Janet Goeking
goeking@mcphilimy.com
McPhilimy Associates
(312) 988-1270