Home Improvement With Gary Sullivan & EZ Strip

Looking for Do-It-Yourself Eco-Friendly home improvement ideas? How about removing painted popcorn ceilings safely from drywall without dust OR a contractor. Refinishing wooden stairs or furniture without harsh chemicals for that great new look. Clean up the paint drips, oil stains, tree sap, paint over spray, BBQ grease, graffiti on your fence and about a million other tough removal jobs in and around your home or garage with skin safe fume free removers. These removal projects are all made easy and completely safe with EZ Strip products! Have a listen here for the main scoop on EZ Strip with home improvement guru Gary Sullivan on the At Home With Gary Sullivan radio show.

Take a little time to learn a whole lot about EZ Strip's world patented water based removal technology and what it can do for you! We've taken all the hazards out of removal projects making your home improvement a lot more safe and easy to do around your kids, pets and plants! Visit our website today at http://www.ezstrip.ca/ for where to buy and great how to remove videos today.

Renovation Risks: Asbestos The Ticking Time Bomb

First things first lets get the facts straight there is no such thing as safe asbestos! Some people would have you believe that so-called white asbestos won’t kill you, and instead it’s the nasty brown and blue asbestos that will. It’s not true. While white asbestos may be slightly less nasty than the brown and blue stuff, it will cause just the same cancers if it is inhaled. Once you've been exposed to asbestos it acts like a ticking time bomb in your chest. Here is one such person's story:

"My name is Katherine Keys and I have been fighting mesothelioma cancer for the past 9 years. If you don’t know, mesothelioma is a cancer caused by asbestos exposure. My exposure came from doing years of wiring work for Texas Power and Light Company.

At the age of 49 I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Pleural Mesothelioma and was told I had less than two years to live. But I was determined to stay positive and beat this cancer against all odds! My treatment included having my right lung and the lining of the lung removed--a major surgical procedure. Soon after, I began several months of radiation therapy.

 

I am overjoyed to say that my fight paid off and now 9 years later I am still cancer free! But I know I did not face this battle alone. The doctors and staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center are true miracle workers and I am forever grateful to them.

I was also helped greatly by the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma Lawyer Center. Not only did they help me obtain financial compensation which helped with my treatments and quality of life, they genuinely care about my well-being. I am proud to call them my friends and they continue to stand by my side as I fight mesothelioma.

Tragically, many men and women who are deemed "expendable" by asbestos companies do not even know about their legal options. These legal options available to asbestos victims are of the utmost importance, so that victims and their families can pay for medical expenses and receive compensation for the pain and suffering they endure.

I feel it is my duty to give back to the community--to let people with asbestos diseases know they are not alone. There is help available!"  - Katherine Keys

So what is asbestos exactly? It's a naturally occurring fibrous material that was a popular building material from the 1950s to 1990s. It was used extensively because it is an insulator, has good fire protection properties, has tensile strength, and is resistant to chemical erosion. Asbestos is "wonderful stuff" from a construction perspective and many homes built before 1980 contain asbestos in old floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roof shingles and flashing, siding, insulation (around boilers, ducts, pipes, sheeting, fireplaces), pipe cement, and joint compound used on seams between pieces of drywall. Even some newer houses may contain asbestos. For more info on where to find asbestos in your home follow this link Is-Asbestos-Lurking-In-Your-Home?

OK so you think there may be asbestos in your home, don’t panic! Generally, asbestos-containing material that is in good condition will not release asbestos fibers. Asbestos-containing materials release fibers that can be inhaled when they are disturbed, damaged, removed improperly, repaired, cut, torn, sanded, sawed, drilled or scraped. Keep an eye on possible asbestos-containing materials and visually check them over time for signs of wear or damage. If you do decide to remodel or conduct repairs an area of you home that may have asbestos get it tested first! There are asbestos test kits available at your local hardware store always be safe and know what your working with. If your asbestos test comes back positive consider hiring a certified professional to do the work and don't put you or your family at risk!

If you liked this don't forget to subscribe to our blog and read more at the EZ Strip Blog We share because we care about our customers! That's why all EZ Strip removal products work wet for safe dust free removal every time! Our water based world patented removal technology penetrates coatings and breaks the bond to the substrate without a chemical reaction. This prevents toxic fumes being released into the air and the wet work system keeps coatings encapsulated so no dust is released during removal. Visit our website at EZstrip.ca today and see what EZ Strip removal products can do for you! 

Paint Stripping Hazards: A Closer Look At The Silent Killer Methylene Chloride

Methylene Chloride is a common solvent and degreaser widely used in industry and consumer products, such as paint strippers and aerosols. It has caused acute poisonings resulting in death and is considered a workplace carcinogen. Despite serious health hazards and the availability of cost-effective safer alternatives, high concentrations of MC are still used in workplaces and in consumer products. Numerous poisonings and deaths have been reported over several decades among workers and consumers using furniture strippers or other products containing MC in unventilated areas. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Household Products Database lists 27 consumer products containing MC, most common are paint strippers with concentrations greater than 50 percent. Methylene Chloride has been banned from paint strippers (paint or graffiti removers) in the EU. Despite widespread recognition of harm, MC is still Not Adequately Regulated for consumer use in North America. For more info on current US regulations regarding Methylene Chloride follow: https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/methyleneChloride.pdf 

MC based paint strippers are an EXTREME hazard. Thirteen bathtub refinishers from ten states have died (2000- 2011) after inhaling toxic Methylene Chloride while stripping residential tubs. Ten different stripping products, containing 60 to 100% MC, were associated with the deaths. In each case, ventilation and respiratory protection were absent or inadequate. MC vapor is absorbed quickly by the lungs at low concentrations that you cannot smell. Filter and respirator cartridges don’t protect you from MC vapor. Instead, you need a full-face supplied air respirator. For more info on bathtub refinisher deaths follow: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Files/MethChlorideHazardAlert.pdf

Part of the problem is there really is no safe way for consumers to use these products without extensive safety equipment. The safety equipment needed to properly protect yourself is expensive and often not even all available in the same place you buy the stripper. Here is what's required based off of Safety Data Sheet info for Methylene Chloride Personal Protective Equipment:  
Gloves and Clothing -  Avoid skin contact with Methylene Chloride. Wear personal protective equipment made from material which cannot be permeated or degraded by this substance. Safety equipment manufacturers recommend Polyvinyl Alcohol and Silver Shield/4H for gloves and Tychem Responder and TK; Zytron 500; ONESuit TEC; and Trellchem HPS and VPS, or the equivalent, as protective materials for clothing. Eye Protection - Wear chemical safety goggles and/or a full face shield where splashing is possible. Maintain a proper working eyewash station near work area. Respiratory Protection -  Where the potential exists for exposure over 25 ppm, use a NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full face piece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. For increased protection use in combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. 

Not only is this information confusing but it is so critical to ensure your safety! So when I say there really is no practical safe way for consumers to use Methylene Chloride based products I mean just that. And to make matters worse the confusion doesn't stop there depending on the product Methylene Chloride could be hiding under a different name as it is also known as Dichloromethane, Methylene dichloride, and DCM.

So what's my recommendation when stripping paint? Don't use Methylene Chloride base strippers ever! There is no reason to with so many safer choices. At the top of that safer choice list you will find Dimethyl Esters (also known as Dibasic Esters, DBE, and DMEs*) which are readily biodegradable, low odor, low VOC solvents used in a wide variety of industrial and specialty applications. DBEs are excellent solvent substitutes in many stripping applications. Commercial acceptance and use of dimethyl esters and dibasic esters continues to increase due to their positive economic, environmental and performance characteristics. For more info on DBEs follow: http://www.jrhessco.com/dimethyl-esters-a-versatile-alternative-solvent/ The number one line of stripping products using these DBEs is a Canadian company called EZ Strip you may have seen them in the paint stripper aisle at your local Home Depot or seen them in action removing a large variety of materials from various substrates on You Tube check out the EZ Strip You Tube Channel here https://www.youtube.com/TheEZstrip. And the answer to the big question is yes they work amazingly with skin safe formulas and no harsh fumes. The next time you want to remove, refinish, or restore think twice about what you want to expose yourself and your family to. EZ Strip can solve your paint stripping problems without the toxic hazards or need for expensive protective equipment. Work indoors or in tight spaces were ventilation is just not possible! Make your next removal project a successful and safe one! 

Visit the EZ Strip website for great detailed removal tips and project ideas today! EZstrip.ca

 

How To Remove Popcorn Ceilings

Get rid of that bumpy lumpy painted ceiling that is impossible to clean and huge mess maker even if you just think about touching it! Now there is a dust free removal method that you can do yourself without the need to dry scrape, replace drywall, or have the surface professionally skim coated over. EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover is a specially formulated remover that penetrates through multiple paint layers and softens the texture underneath without damaging the surface. No matter the style of texture whether it has been sprayed on or hand applied EZ Strip can strip it! 

You want to remove that textured ceiling but its been painted and using just water for the removal is not working! Now EZ strip has a dust free removal method for painted ceiling and wall textures that is so easy anyone can do it. EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover can remove multiple paint layers from a large variety of ceiling textures without damaging the drywall or other hard surfaces.

Remove these types of ceiling textures:

Spray & roll on textures, Splatter Knockdown, Orange Peel, Popcorn, Acoustic, Stipple, Cottage Cheese, Hand applied textures, Skip Trowel, Hawk and Trowel, Santa-Fe Texture, Double Skip, Swirl, Crows-foot Stomp, Rosebud Stomp, Stomp Knockdown, and More!

No matter the name most of these textures are made with the same types of material and can be removed with EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover with the same method used in the video.

Coverage is 80 - 100 square feet per gallon depending on how many paint layers and the thickness of the texture being removed.

If your concerned about your ceiling texture containing asbestos get it tested. You can get test kits at your local hardware store. EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover is a Low VOC skin safe removal formula that cleans up with just water making this a safe DIY friendly home improvement project!

Visit our website at EZstrip.ca today for direct online purchase links and where to buy! The EZ Strip website is a great place to get connected with our other social pages and learn more about EZ Strip and what EZ Strip products can do for you!

Refinishing Furniture

Refinishing furniture has always been a risky project because of the need for a paint stripper. There are a lot of strippers out there full of toxic chemicals that require a lot of personal safety equipment and experience to truly use safe and effectively. Now there is a safe option from EZ Strip for refinishing wood furniture and it is so easy to use anyone can do it!

If you want to strip paint or varnish from wood furniture then you need EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper! The only skin safe fume free stripper that does the removal job safely and cleans up with just water. Breathe new life into your old furniture or re-purpose/refinish a great find for a new look or addition to a room in your home!

I found this mirror at my local dump and turned it into a beautiful piece for my spare bedroom! The refinish project was simple and fun with EZ Strip. Check out how I did this refinishing project here Refinish Furniture

Get this safe, effective, and easy to use stripper at your local Home Depot or online today! Visit EZstrip.ca for online purchase links and more great how to remove info!

Popcorn Ceiling Remover: Products Now Available @ Home Depot

So you want to remove your popcorn ceilings but they have been painted a bunch of times and your worried about high contractor costs and the impossible to clean up dust mess. Well now you can do the job yourself for half the cost with a dust free removal product by EZ Strip. EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover is the only DIY friendly, dust free, drywall safe paint stripper designed specifically to remove painted popcorn ceiling textures (and other ceiling & wall textures) from drywall and other hard surfaces.

So if you have this...                                                   Or this...

Or this...                                                                     And you want to do this...

Then you need this! EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover Available In Store & Online @ Home Depot Canada or Online @ Home Depot USA & In Los Angeles, CA/Dallas, TX Store Locations Now! Visit our website here EZstrip.ca for direct online purchase links today!

 

 See just how EZ it is to remove your popcorn ceiling textures here!

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Refinishing Stairs: A Safe Stripper Ideal for Removal Projects Inside & Outdoors

      

             

      

        Refinishing your wooden stairs may have seemed like an impossible big project in the past but now you can make it a reality! What if I said you could do the project yourself, with minimal tools, safely even if your project is inside. Too good to be true right? Well EZ Strip a company dedicated to providing safe removal solutions for Contractors, Do-It-Yourself Enthusiasts, and Savvy Home Improvement Types has a safe alternative to chemical stripping that you can use safely in your home or on the job!   
         EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper is very effective at removing stubborn paints and varnishes yet gentile on your skin with no harsh fumes. This makes EZ Strip the ideal removal product for refinishing stairs no matter if you are indoors or outside EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper can do the job safely. EZ Strip does all the work with no damage to the surface. EZ Strip products are Child, Pet, & Plant Safe and clean up with just water! Watch this short How To Refinish Stairs with EZ Strip Video and see just how easy EZ Strip can make your removal project. Refinishing Stairs
        Coverage for EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper is 30 - 50 square feet per liter. Set time for this removal project was 1 hour for paint and 20 minutes for clear varnish. Tools needed: EZ Strip, container, scraper, paint brush, cloth, scrub pad or stainless steel wool, and water.

Visit our website at http://www.ezstrip.ca/ for direct purchase links and more how to remove info today!