Recent Works “Malvern Towers”

“Twelve years ago Summit Coatings painted the interior of our seven storey high-rise building.


All residents were most impressed with this work and therefore we were delighted that Summit Coatings were asked to paint the exterior of our building. We had received four quotations, and we selected Summit Coatings, as their quotation was the most competitive in terms of price, preparation and use of quality materials and techniques.


With over half of the external painting now completed, I can report how delighted we are with the exceptionally high standards of work completed thus far, including the challenging task of painting our degraded and corroded aluminum windows, rails and balconies.
A feature of this painting project has been the ease with which we can communicate and negotiate additional work and/or modifications with Robin Ottowa and his painters.
I speak on behalf of our residents and can confidently recommend Summit Coatings as a highly professional company committed to high standards of work, materials, techniques and preparation.”

 

Bruce Ridings

Chairman

Malvern Towers, Manly

Before                                 After

Why do prices vary?

We are constantly amazed at the range in prices when quoting on the same job. There are a few areas where over-heads are kept low, but at what cost?

Home Warranty Insurance - It is a legal requirement that all work over $12,000.00 in NSW have Home Warranty Insurance. For a $50,000.00 job this should be no more than $400.00 and based onto the owner anyway. A recent report mentioned that there are over 4000 licenced painters in NSW but only 14 have applied for Home Warranty Insurance eligibility.

Workers Compensation - Workers’ compensation is a system of compulsory insurance for all employers in Australia. The cost of Workers Compensation Insurance is basically the same between insurers. Some painters fly under the radar by using sub-contractors and don’t carry Workers Comp.

Materials – Paint consumption on a job is the same no matter who does the work. All painters pay basically the same price for the same products. Where there is a cost saving on materials is using cheaper, inferior products. Normally materials would be around 10% of a job, using cheap paint will save about 1% on the total job. Cheap paint breaks down faster, doesn’t stand the test of time and in most instances requires a lot of preparation when maintenance is required next time.

Safety – We have a moral and legal obligation to ensure the health and safety of our staff, the general public and the environment. Thankfully the good ole’ days of sticking a ladder up three storeys to paint a window have gone. This is cheaper than setting up proper scaffolding but carries a significant risk.

Preparation – It all comes down to preparation and the number of finish coats. Two thirds of the time of works should be spent on preparation alone. Many cheaper quotes might fail to overlook this, however, it is possibly more important than the final colour coat when considering the longevity of the painting works.

Dryzone vs Traditional Chemical Injection DPC (Part 1)

Dryzone vs Traditional Chemical Injection DPC (Part 2)

Dryzone

The No.1 Treatment for Eliminating Rising Damp


Dryzone is now the fastest growing method of eradicating Rising Damp in Australia with successful treatments being carried out nationally each week by Damp Busters Australia. On top of this an increasing number of clients are taking advantage of our DIY system which is by far the cleanest and simplest on the market. Being a water based cream and completely non toxic, Dryzone is safe and completely error proof to apply.


Dryzone. Fast, Clean, Effective & Safe


Fast

Dryzone can be injected two to three times faster than ordinary liquid injection fluids. Treatment can therefore be completed earlier, minimising disruption to the householder.

Clean

Dryzone is not injected under pressure. The risk of fluid leaking into neighbouring rooms or properties and causing damage is therefore virtually eliminated. Dryzone does not contain any hydrocarbon solvents, so has very little smell.

Effective

Dryzone is the result of an extensive in-house research and development programme. This involved the screening and testing of hundreds of potential formulations. These tests demonstrate that Dryzone offers a higher degree of protection against rising damp than the chemical injection systems that it was designed to replace.

Safe

Traditional chemical injection systems, have (prior to the conception of creams) been carried out by introducing silicones into the wall via a paraffin based carrier which have recently proven to be dangerous with a house being demolished by an explosion in South Australia due to poor safety procedures by the installer (see attached link for report in the Adelaide Advertiser here) Dryzone contains no volatile chemicals and is completely safe.

"Rising Damp" and/or "Salt Damp".


The Symptoms...

Flaking paint, bubbling plaster, crumbling bricks, stonework and mortar and/or timber decay and a musty odour are among the most common symptoms of rising salt damp.

Rising Salt Damp...

Rising salt damp is caused by the same natural capillary action by which plants absorb moisture into their stems from the soil beneath.
So whenever there are moisture absorbent materials such as bricks, mortar or external renders in contact with the ground then the moisture will naturally rise through them unless there is a barrier in the form of a damp proof course. This dampness will continue to rise in the walls unless checked, bringing with it liquid salt particles which can cause major damage if not treated.


The Effects...


As the moisture in the wall evaporates upon exposure to changing temperature conditions, the liquid salt particles crystallise and expand leaving salt crystals on the surface. This micro explosion in the substrate starts to create damage to the structure of the wall. The problem is compounded when these salt crystals attract atmospheric moisture which perpetuates the damage cycle.

Often there is no visual evidence of the damage being done and an inspection by our consultant with a moisture meter is the only way to know whether there is a problem or not.

The visual signs, when evident, are discolouration or blistering of internal plaster and paint. Externally crumbling of mortar and brick/stone work at ground level is evidenced.

Any salt damp, like a cancer in humans, will do less damage to the structure of the building if treated in its infancy.

Failure to treat the problem properly can result in a house that is unpleasant to live in and difficult to sell, therefore it is important to choose an effective method of treatment.


The Cover-up...

It can be tempting to try and cover up any damp patches with a special paint or coating in the hope that the problem will go away. However, the dampness will often find a way round such coatings and reappear at a later date. Only by introducing a damp proof course can rising salt damp be properly controlled.


The Solution

Use an authorized applicator of Dryzone, such as Summit Coatings.

Although it costs more for us to buy than ordinary liquid solvent injection fluids, because it is installed quicker than the solvent injection systems, the benefit of a less disruptive treatment saves on labour costs. The end result is that you save $$$$$$$$$$

We are confident we offer a better quality product at the most competetive price. Value for money is guaranteed.

To watch how Dryzone makes all the difference:
Part 1:
http://summitcoatingspainters.blogspot.com/2010/06/dryzone-vs-traditional-chemical_02.html
Part 2:
http://summitcoatingspainters.blogspot.com/2010/06/dryzone-vs-traditional-chemical.html

Robin Ottowa: on the board for the Master Painters Association

Robin Ottowa has recently been voted vice president of the Master Painters Association (MPA). Through his role, he hopes to establish an accredited MPA member program. This program would involve

1. Regular check ins to ensure a high standard of works is being maintained


2. Occupational Health & Safety program


3. A measure of the quality of workmanship of painters, and assignment of a star rating accordingly


4. A dispute resolution program, through peer mediation, i.e. being judged by other members of the MPA. This would be a step before Fair Trading and litigation, and will hope to alleviate many issues, and give painters an opportunity to be judged by peers.