St Louis has a rich history of beautiful residential architecture

If you’ve lived in St Louis for very long, or have visited, most likely you’re aware of the interesting residential housing stock in neighborhoods renowned as wonderful examples of building styles in different historical eras in time.  These neighborhoods, many beautifully intact, are like time capsules from bygone days.

St Louis had a thriving brick manufacturing base in the early 1800’s due to rich clay deposits in eastern Missouri. After a steamboat caught fire in 1849 and drifted into the wharves in the downtown area, 1/3 of the city’s mainly wooden structures were lost in the conflagration. An ordinance was quickly passed forbidding new structures from being built of wood. We can thank this ordinance for all the beautiful, long lasting, interesting architecture that we enjoy today.

The interior wall construction utilized plaster.

In the days before gypsum drywall, plaster was the common surface for interior walls. These surfaces are quite durable, but over time, settling, physical damage, and other damages can occur.

As part of the surface prep before painting, any cracks or other damage needs to be addressed. I’ve done thousands of plaster repairs over the years, and repaired many “repairs” that were previously attempted. It can be kind of tricky at times, and many techniques are often needed. I’ve gone back years later for further projects in many of these homes, and have seen that the work holds up over time. After a successful patch, the surface texture needs to be matched to blend seamlessly with the rest of the wall. This may be the most difficult, but I use many different skills to make the patch “disappear”.

I’ve been fortunate to have been invited to do extensive painting work in many, many of these beautiful older homes in St Louis. Usually, there is plaster repair of some sort involved. It may be minor, as with small holes where pictures have been, or major, as when the nails holding the interior lath to the supporting studs loosens and a bow is created in the wall. If minor, this may just be considered “character”. But if it needs to be repaired, sections of plaster may be removed, screws installed to replace the loose nails, and part of the wall re-plastered with base coat and several skim coats using different materials.  Care is needed to keep the dust down and sometimes, a plastic containment zone needs to be erected.

I never loose sight of the fact that I’m a “guest with a purpose” and take great care to respect my clients property and family.

Gotta run, more later

John

 

Fundamentals

There are a few fundamentals to keep in mind if you’re planning a painting project.  Proper and appropriate surface preparation is a requirement. This is followed by appropriate application of the proper finish material.

Interior painted wood surfaces in good condition may require only sanding or washing before repainting. Interior wood trim, especially surfaces adjacent to flooring materials which are maintained by waxing, require removal of all traces of wax. Waxes can be removed by washing with a solvent or a strong detergent solution in water.

Surfaces previously coated with gloss or semi-gloss enamels:

These surfaces must be dulled or roughened up in order to allow proper adhesion of the succeeding coats of material. This can be accomplished by washing with a strong detergent solution, sanding, or wiping the surface with a chemical de-glosser. Interior enamels that are brittle and cracking or flaking should be removed, and the exposed surface should be treated as bare wood and primed accordingly before applying finish material.

When painting over stains or varnishes, extra care must be taken to ensure proper adhesion. An aggressively bonding primer/sealer can be applied only after proper sanding and inspection of the surfaces.

Masonry and Concrete Substrates

Many building are constructed using some form of concrete, stucco or brick. These materials are used primarily because they provide additional strength, but sometimes are utilized as design elements.

Many materials and techniques are used in order to protect and beautify these substrates. The surface preparation and application procedures are essentially the same for interior or exterior masonry surfaces. All new masonry surfaces should be allowed to dry or age sufficiently before paint is applied. This cure time will vary depending on atmospheric conditions during the drying period and whether the substrate is above or below grade level (in a basement).

All masonry surfaces should be free of dirt, grease, or oil before painting. Generally, a thorough cleaning with a detergent solution followed by flushing with clear water will remove these surface contaminates. Poured or precast concrete might have an oily release agent on the surface which will need to be removed by solvent or detergent washing. Any loose or powdery masonry should be wire brushed or scraped in order to get to a firm surface for material application. The surface needs to be thoroughly dry before application of painting materials.

I’ll go into some other considerations for proper masonry painting in the near future.

Surface preparation is essential for a beautiful, long lasting result!

I’ve gotta get going, more later.

John Edwards

Painting is the preparation of, and subsequent application of protective surface material to a substrate. Painting also has a secondary benefit of enhancing or changing the visual appearance of any surface.

Ok, that’s kind of a technical way of describing it, but everyone knows that painting can improve the appearance of any room, area, or even a whole house.

I’ve been painting professionally for 19 years, and am fortunate to have met, and worked for many wonderful people. I’ve also been fortunate to have been trained by, and worked with, some exceptional painting craftsmen.

I have top of the line equipment and techniques, and would like to discuss the possibilities of any painting project you may have in mind.

John Edwards