Gear up for spring projects

Spring is here, and work is picking up as the weather warms. The Home Depot is kicking off the spring season with its first quarterly Pro Appreciation Event of 2015, including seven days of exclusive savings on tools from well-known brands like DeWalt, Makita and Milwaukee. The event runs from March 23–29 and includes an in-store appreciation day in all U.S. stores on March 26 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Builders and remodelers can use the event as an opportunity to stock up on tools as they prepare for spring’s most popular home improvement projects. A few simple upgrades to your toolbox can help you prepare for common warm weather jobs, such as:
Exterior painting: Painting is all about efficiency, which depends not only on your skill and technique but also the tools you’re using for the job.

• Pressure washers: Cleaning before you begin can make a big difference in the quality of your paint job, but it can also be very time consuming. Make sure your pressure washer is well maintenance or consider upgrading so you’re cleaning quickly and effectively.
• Ladders: Most ladders are made to last, so this may be nothing more than checking your existing equipment to make sure everything is in good shape. If it’s time to upgrade or replace, Werner makes a great assortment of ladders from which to choose.
• Sprayers: The right paint sprayer can shave a significant amount off the time it takes to complete a job. Not only are they quicker, but selecting a high-quality model can help you minimize mistakes and re-do’s. Brands like Graco have solid options available.

Restore decks: Spring is an excellent time to refresh your customers’ decks. As composite decking continues growing in popularity, you may find yourself answering more and more questions about the benefits versus natural wood. Talking with a customer who is looking to build an entirely new deck is the perfect opportunity to push for composite. The customer’s larger initial investment is offset in as little as five years because composite practically eliminates all maintenance and upkeep. Brands like Veranda and others offer 20-year warrantees for cracking, splitting, color fade and stain. If a customer insists on natural wood, Behr DeckOver and Rust-Oleum 4x and 10x are great products for restoring and refinishing natural wood deck surfaces to protect them from the elements and other wear and tear.
Seal the exterior: Outdated doors and windows or hidden gaps and cracks around the exterior of a customer’s home can dramatically reduce energy efficiency, which places additional strain on heating and cooling systems. Upgrading doors and windows is a surefire way to increase energy efficiency. If a customer isn’t ready to do that all at once, spending time going around their house with a caulk gun to seal gaps and cracks can make a big difference. It may even be a good idea to suggest a re-up on the attic insulation. The Home Depot offers free rental on a blow-in machine when you buy 10 bags of blow-in insulation.
These are just a few examples of warm weather projects for which there are great tool / equipment upgrades available. Visit the Pro Desk at your Home Depot store or www.homedepot.com/pro for more information.