Surface Prep & Repairs in Tampa Bay

Every great paint job starts with preparation. Highmark’s prep work is what separates a finish that lasts from one that peels — proper washing, patching, priming, and surface treatment before a single coat of paint goes on.

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Pressure Washing & Power Washing

Professional pressure washing removes dirt, mildew, algae, peeling paint, and weathering before new paint or stain is applied. Highmark uses proper pressure levels and soft-wash techniques to clean without damage.

Exterior Home Wash — Full exterior pressure wash before painting, removing weathered paint, mildew, and dirt.

Driveway & Walkway — Remove dirt, oil stains, and mold from driveways, walkways, and entry areas.

Pool Deck & Patio — Pressure wash patio surfaces, pool decks, and outdoor living areas.

Fence Washing — Clean wood and vinyl fences to prepare for staining or painting.

Roof Soft Wash — Low-pressure soft wash for roof cleaning without damaging shingles or tiles.

Commercial Pressure Washing — Large-scale exterior cleaning for commercial buildings, storefronts, and industrial surfaces.

Drywall Repair & Patching

Highmark repairs holes, cracks, water damage, and other drywall imperfections, sanding and preparing surfaces smooth and ready for paint.

Small Hole/Nail Pop Repair — Quick patch repair for nail pops, small holes, and minor surface damage.

Medium Patch (Fist-Sized) — Drywall patching for holes up to fist size, properly taped and finished.

Large Patch (Damage Section) — Cut out and replace damaged drywall sections, including frame reinforcement if needed.

Water Damage Repair — Replace water-damaged drywall, address underlying moisture issues, and prepare for paint.

Drywall Crack Repair — Repair structural cracks and settlement cracks with proper mesh tape and finish.

Full Wall/Ceiling Section Replace — Remove and install new drywall for large damage areas or renovation needs.

Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Popcorn ceilings are outdated and harbor dust and allergens. Highmark removes popcorn texture safely, with asbestos testing for pre-1980 homes, and prepares for new texture or smooth finish.

Popcorn Removal — Single Room — Remove popcorn texture from one room and prepare the ceiling for paint or new texture.

Popcorn Removal — Whole Home — Full popcorn ceiling removal throughout entire home.

Popcorn Removal + Skim Coat — Remove popcorn and apply fresh skim coat for smooth ceiling finish.

Popcorn Removal + Texture Match — Remove popcorn and replicate existing texture in other areas for consistency.

Asbestos Testing (Pre-1980 Homes) — EPA-certified testing before removal of popcorn ceilings in older homes.

Note: Homes built before 1980 may contain asbestos in popcorn ceilings. Highmark tests before removal and follows all EPA guidelines.

Caulking, Crack & Gap Repair

Professional caulking seals gaps, joints, and cracks, providing a seamless finish and preventing water infiltration and air leaks.

Interior Trim Caulking — Caulk seams between trim, walls, and ceilings for seamless finished appearance.

Window & Door Weatherseal — Seal around windows and doors to prevent air and water infiltration.

Bathroom Caulking — Waterproof caulking around tubs, showers, and sink areas.

Exterior Crack Sealing — Seal foundation cracks, siding gaps, and other exterior openings.

Expansion Joint Repair — Seal expansion joints in concrete patios, driveways, and garage floors.

Wallpaper Removal

Removing old wallpaper is detailed work. Highmark removes wallpaper carefully, repairs any wall damage, and prepares surfaces for new wallpaper or paint.

Single-Layer Removal — Remove single-layer wallpaper without damaging underlying walls.

Multi-Layer Removal — Carefully remove multiple wallpaper layers, a common situation in older homes.

Wallpaper Removal + Wall Repair — Remove wallpaper and patch any gouges or damage to walls.

Removal + Prime + Paint-Ready — Remove wallpaper, repair walls, prime, and prepare for new paint.

Removal + New Wallpaper Install — Remove old wallpaper and install new wallcovering in one seamless project.

Sanding, Priming & Surface Treatment

Proper surface preparation is the foundation of a lasting paint job. Highmark sands rough surfaces, blocks stains, applies primer, and addresses moisture and mold issues.

Full Room Sand & Prime — Sand existing paint and surfaces, prime all areas, and prepare for new finish paint.

Stain-Blocking Primer Application — Apply stain-blocking primer to water stains, smoke damage, and other staining issues.

Mildew & Mold Treatment — Treat surfaces with mildew/mold inhibitor before priming and painting.

Lead Paint Testing (EPA Certified) — Professional testing and containment procedures for homes built before 1978.

Bonding Primer for Difficult Surfaces — Apply bonding primer to glossy, non-porous, or previously painted surfaces for maximum adhesion.

Surface Prep for Luxury Finishes

Luxury finishes—high-gloss lacquer, Venetian plaster, limewash, and faux finishes—require Level 5 wall preparation. Highmark provides meticulous prep to support premium finishes.

Level 5 Skim Coat (for High-Gloss) — Multiple skim coats achieving perfectly smooth, flawless surface for high-gloss and lacquer finishes.

Skim Coat After Wallpaper Removal — Smooth skim coat applied after wallpaper removal to achieve flawless finish.

Surface Prep for Venetian Plaster — Specialized prep for Venetian plaster application.

Surface Prep for Limewash — Surface conditioning and preparation for limewash and specialty paint finishes.

Wallcovering Primer Application — Premium primer application before luxury wallcovering installation.

Full-Prep Painting Packages

Highmark offers combined prep and paint packages—complete wall and ceiling restoration in one project.

Interior Prep + Paint Package — Full interior room prep, drywall repair, primer, and paint finish.

Exterior Prep + Paint Package — Complete exterior washing, repair, primer, and paint finish.

Pre-Sale Full Prep Package — Complete interior and exterior prep and paint for homes preparing to sell.

Serving All of Tampa Bay

Highmark serves a 35-mile radius from Westchase, Tampa — covering Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Manatee counties including Tampa, Brandon, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Wesley Chapel, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and 150+ surrounding communities. See our full service area →

Related Services

All Painting Services Interior Painting Exterior Painting Wallcoverings High-Gloss & Lacquer Handyman Interior Walls Service Area

Helpful Resources

Browse all expert guides →

Example Case Studies

See what a typical project involves: Drywall Repair Case Study — Brandon. View all case studies →

Why Choose Highmark?

30+ years of experience, licensed & insured, 5-star Google reviews, and a commitment to clean, professional results on every project. We serve all of Tampa Bay with residential, commercial, and luxury painting and handyman services.

Learn more about why homeowners trust Highmark →

Why Homeowners Choose Highmark

Highmark Painters & Handymen launched in 2026 with a simple mission: deliver the kind of work we’d want done in our own homes. While our company is new, our craftsmen and painters bring over 30 years of hands-on experience in residential and commercial painting, handyman services, and specialty finishes throughout Florida.

We believe trust is earned on every project — through honest estimates, quality materials, clean job sites, and results that speak for themselves. Our goal is to earn five-star reviews the right way: one exceptional project at a time. Every homeowner who works with Highmark gets experienced professionals, clear communication, and a commitment to doing the job right the first time.

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Request your free estimate online or call us directly at 813-629-2813.

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