Orlando Handyman Blog

Custom Paint Ideas

Mitch Watkins — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:36:00 GMT

Simple color and circles can make a childs bathroom look fun and playful. Custom faux finishes also available from Watkins home repair in Central Florida.

Specializing in high end homes

Mitch Watkins — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:06:00 GMT

Watkins Home Repair takes pride in attending to all the details of home repair in special homes like yours. Special care is allways given in protecting your property during our routine repairs and maint. Shoe covers are worn and proper drop clothes are always used. You can be count on dependability and quality workmanship with over 20 years of experience in home repair and maintenance.

Christmas Decoration Tips

Mitch Watkins — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 11:27:00 GMT

IDEAS AND TIPS FOR OUTDOOR DECORATION FOR CHRISTMAS.
Out side decorating can be an electrical nightmare. Below are a few new products and ideas to make your holiday a little easier.

Power Providers
There are better—and safer—ways to power your exterior decorations than running extension cords out windows that you open a crack.

•If you're willing to temporarily trade in an exterior floodlight, the SocketMax Duo (Stanley) screws into the receptacle to provide a plug with a built-in photosensor to turn lights on at dusk.

•The Lamar Stake Light (Frontgate) is a portable power strip with a protective cover and a built-in timer. When running extension cords, make sure that the cord is approved for exterior use.

•The Coldweather Cord (Woods) can stand up to temperatures as low as -58 degrees F. Another plus: The cord has a built-in light to let you know if it's getting power.

•Avoid stringing too many lights end to end with the multireceptacle Powerlink (Woods).

•When it's time to turn everything off for the night, reach for the Remote Control Light Switch (Stanley) so you don't have to go outside.

Need help with your decorating give me a call!!!

Christmas

Mitch Watkins — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:03:00 GMT

I know it's been a while since I blogged but with the Holidays around the corner I figured I better get on here.
Have you done your decorations yet. Lots of new ideas out there this year. My favorite are the LED outside lights that work on solar power. What a great idea for Florida.
Speaking of decorations if you need someone to put yours up call Watkins Home Repair today!!!
HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY EVERYONE...

Kids back in school

Mitch Watkins — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 12:24:00 GMT

KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL

Time to fix all those things you just couldn't get to all summer.

Ready to start getting ready for the hoildays

Painting, pressure washing, repairs, maint. no problem give watkins home repair a call. 386-848-8880.

I service all of central Florida including Dr. Phillips, Orlando, Metro west, Sanford, Lake Mary,Mount Plymouth, Heathrow, Casselberry, Longwood, Winter park, Winter Springs, Sanford, DeBary, Deltona, Deland, Orange City Daytona.

Home Repair and Maintenance

Mitch Watkins — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:18:00 GMT

Watkins Home Repair servicing: Orlando, Metro West Orlando, Lake Mary, Deland, DeBary, Deltona, Mount Plymouth, Central Fl., Sanford, Casselberry, Longwood, Winter Park,

Services include: Home repairs and Maintenance, Painting, Pressure washing, Wallpaper install, Plumbing, Electrical.

Quality workmanship

Service you can trust

Central Florida Heatwave

Mitch Watkins — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:46:00 GMT

Heatwave tough on your A/C

A/C filters the best thing you can do is keep em clean. Change them or wash them real good if you have reuseables. Also keep that drain line clear a spot of bleach will help. They can clog so easily with all the extra summer use. The final thing you can do is vacuum the coils and keep them clean.

If you can't do these chores yourself give me a call I can help u out.

Remember most filters should be cleaned or changed monthly during the summer......

Thanks
Mitch

Welcome to SUMMER!!!!!!

Mitch Watkins — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:53:00 GMT

Well here comes another summer. Make sure your a/c filter is clean. Replace or clean every 30 days if you can. Good time to clean your windows and oil all the moving parts.
Remember Watkins Home Repair serves all of Central Fl., Orlando,Sanford, DeBary, Deland, Orange City, Lake Mary, Dr. Phillips, Cassleberry, Winter park and more...
See ya soon.

Springtime in Central Fla.

Mitch Watkins — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:29:00 GMT

Welcome Spring
Spring forward fall back, and don't fall back cleaning those gutters. If you use an extension ladder take that extra safety precaution and tie it off.

Besides gutter cleaning spring time is a good time to do a couple other annual chores. I chose spring so that each year its easy to remember its time.
1. Change the batteries in all your remotes and don't forget the garage door opener.
2. Batteries in your smoke detectors, change em.
3. Lubricate your door locks and hinges
4. Fertilize your lawn
5. Change your oil in the lawn mower and general maint of all your lawn equip.

Hope this helps and thanks for checking out my blog......

Recommendation for Watkins Home Repair

Mitch Watkins — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:09:00 GMT

Want to share this recommendation with you.

Please use me for a reference as I am extremely pleased with the quality of you work. Sandra Moore

Thanks Sandra For the nice note, Mitch

HOME REPAIRS HANDYMAN PAINTING SERVING ALL OF CENTRAL FL.

Mitch Watkins — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:56:00 GMT

BEFORE AFTER

WATKINS HOME REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE SERVING ALL OF CENTRAL FL.

ORLANDO
LAKE MARY
CASSELBERRY
DEBARY
DELTONA
DELAND
DAYTONA
ORLANDO AREA

HANDYMAN, PAINTING AND REPAIRS FOR SANFORD, DELAND, DELTONA AND CENTRAL FL.

Mitch Watkins — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:44:00 GMT

Custom painting, interior exterior, pressure washing and complete handyman services for central florida including Deland, Daytona, Sanford, Deltona and more.

Keep checking this blog for do it yourself tips and ideas.........

HANDYMAN / HOME REPAIR IN SANFORD, DELAND AND ALL OF CENTRAL FL.

Mitch Watkins — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:32:00 GMT

Looking for that custom paint job or how bout some home repairs and general maintenance give me a ring at 386-848-8880

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO MY NEIGHBORS

Mitch Watkins — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:28:00 GMT

Just a note to wish all my neighbors in Deland, Orange City, Deltona, Sanford and Lake Mary a Happy New Year.

Be sure and check out this blog for information and tips on home repairs, Painting and general home maintenance tips from Watkins Home Repair

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Handyman / Home repairs / Maintenance

Mitch Watkins — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:26:00 GMT

Prep and Paint Instructions: Part 3

We left off last time with getting ready so now its time to paint.
If you decided you need primer or your going right to the top coat the steps are the same for your application of paint. (Remember I always recommend priming)

1. If you are doing a large room and your job requires two or more gallons of paint be sure to mix them together to keep your colors consistent. The pros call this boxing in...

2. Always do your cut ins first I always start at the top and work down. I also work from left to right but there is no rule on this it is just one of my obsessions. Be prepared to apply at least two coats so don't try to be absolute on this first coat but the better you do do the better the final result.

3. OK roller time. I always use a pole on my frame I keep a short one for close work and a long one for reaching. I fill my roller with paint as much as I can and I apply in a w or v pattern then fill in. Again I go from top to bottom. And of course I go left to right...This is no time to take a break complete each coat in one continuous session. If you must stop do this at a corner.

4. OK you need a second coat. No, well do it anyway you'll be glad you did after you clean those kids hand prints off a couple times. Be sure and wait until that first coat is completely dry before attemting the next coat. Latex at least 4 hours.oil next day.

Well that should do just be sure and clean those tools up really good and keep them in good shape for next time.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask me I am glad to help.

Handyman tips from Watkins Home Repair

Mitch Watkins — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:08:00 GMT

Part two of proper painting
I left of last time with the prep work so now lets continue .

Getting ready for your finish coat.

1. Get your paint and don't cheap out here. Go for the good stuff its more than with the few extra bucks. I always recommend Sherwin Williams or Ben Moore. Not sure of your color get a sample and put it on your wall.

2. Use drop clothes and cover any furniture in your room. Then tape off any moldings windows baseboards anywhere you have to cut in a clean edge. A skilled painter can cut in without tape.Its up to you.

3. The right tools and supplies. Get a good brush. I like a 2 inch tapered brush for cutting in. Also be sure you get one specific to your paint. IE latex or oil. Roller cover also good quality I use the sheepskin. The length of the nap depends on your walls surface. A smooth wall use a short nap textured walls a thicker nap.

4. Try not to work out of the paint can get yourself a cut in pot and a tray for your roller. A short handle will make rolling a lot easier. Use your ladder as little as possible for safety reasons.

Next time we will start painting later Mitch paint

Handyman / Home repairs / Maintenance

Mitch Watkins — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:39:00 GMT

Prep and Paint Instructions: Part 1

Thinking about getting some painting done around your home?
I can prep and paint for you, but if you prefer to DIY, here are some tips!

That's great and you have most likely heard a lot of tips. Well, some of the basics are still so very important and be sure to follow some basic rules.

Step 1 is Prep Work:
Under most circumstances, it shouldn't take you longer to do the prep than the actual painting.

1. Remove those switch plates. Fill holes and voids with spackle.

2. Sand as needed and clean those walls and woodwork.

3. Test the surface. A very important step if your not a pro is to find out if the surface you're going to paint was previously painted with latex or oil.
You will need some denatured alcohol to test. Just put some alcohol on a rag a rub it on the surface you are going to paint.
If the paint comes off on the rag you have latex. and you can now use a latex primer.
However, if you have a oil finish you will need to use an oil base primer. Do not leave out this step!

Note: You can put latex over latex but never latex over oil. This goes only for the finish coat. The reason you use an oil based primer over oil is that either oil or latex made be applied as your finish coats.

Here is an exterior job I did not long ago:

Check out my blog next week for step two of your paint job....
If you have a question you can check my web site at www.watkinshomerepair.com or email at watkins.mitch@gmail.com

Thank you for viewing your Orlando and Central Florida Handyman blog and website!

Handyman tips from Watkins Home Repair

Mitch Watkins — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:26:00 GMT

Picture Hanging.
Getting that picture or group of pictures in the the right place can be a real job. I heard a great tip a few years ago so I will share it with you. Get yourself a stick. Like a paint stirring stick. Put a nail 1/2 way thru stick at one end. Put your picture on the nail (head side) then raise this up to where you want your picture. Hold your stick in place remove the picture, Tap the nail in just enough to mark the wall. Remove stick and now you know where to but the appropriate anchor.

One more tip on groups of pictures remember always hang in odd numbers. Groups of 3, 5 ,7

Web address: www.watkinshomerepair.com
Email: watkins.mitch@gmail.com

Central Fl. Handyman

Mitch Watkins — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:09:00 GMT

Orlando and central Fl. Handyman. Home repair and improvements. Painting, Pressure washing, trim work and much much moe. Call 386-848-8880 or email at watkins.mitch@gmail.com or check out my web site www.watkinshomerepair.com Dependable, honest and I show up.

HANDYMAN / PAINTING / PRESSURE WASHING / REPAIRS

Mitch Watkins — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:57:00 GMT

All types of home and office repairs. Interior and exterior painting. Dependable, Discreet, On time. Please check out my web site at www.watkinshomerepair.com or call 386-848-8880. email watkins.mitch@gmail.com