Painting the outside of your house is a necessary, but sometimes overwhelming, task. While certain homeowners actually enjoy the process of exterior house painting and look forward to it every year, others are quite nervous about doing this project, perhaps for the very first time. Whether you’re planning to paint your house yourself or you intend to hire professionals, there are certain tips you should be aware of. Five key steps you ought to follow are outlined below.
Choose high-quality primer and paint
Believe it or not, the type of paint you use on the outside of your house can actually have a significant impact on how well it wears. Some homeowners don’t think pricey paint is worth the cost, but in the case of exterior jobs, it generally is. In nearly all cases, high-quality paint is engineered to last longer and wear better than cheaper options. If you are not choosing and purchasing your primer and paint yourself, make sure you know exactly what your contractor is planning to buy.
Pick the appropriate brushes and rollers
Using low-quality brushes and rollers to paint the exterior of a home can lead to a streaky or spotty finish. Make sure you invest in painting tools that are not only of superior quality but are designed for the specific type of paint you are going to be using. Oil-based paints and latex-based paints require different tools. If a contractor is painting your house, ask what specific brushes and rollers will be used to paint your home before the project commences.
START WITH CLEAN SIDING
For best results, it is essential to have a freshly washed surface for any painting job, inside or outside. The more dust, dirt, and debris there is on a wall, the less likely it is that your new paint will stick. If the paint is currently on your home’s wooden siding is peeling, cracking, or bubbling, for instance, it will need to be scraped off so that there is a flat, smooth surface. Furthermore, even if a contractor is overseeing your exterior paint job, you should arrange to have your entire residence power washed before he or she gets started. Not only is this courteous to the crew you’ve hired, but it will yield the most attractive final product.
Caulking is crucial
No matter how airtight you think your house is, the odds are good that it has at least a few cracks or holes somewhere. These may be far too small for you to notice on an everyday basis, but could lead to problems if paint or primer drips into them! Generally, professionals recommend using paintable acrylic caulk so it won’t be noticeable once the paint job is finished. Gaps between the foundation and the first row of siding should be sealed, as well as gaps between window frames and walls and any holes where plumbing pipes and electrical wires enter your home.
Clean up properly
Cleaning up following an exterior painting project may seem like a daunting task, but it truly doesn’t have to be. The most important thing, if you plan to save your brushes for future do-it-yourself jobs, is to clean them right away. Otherwise, the paint will dry on them, rendering them unusable. They need to be thoroughly rinsed in soapy water, then laid flat to dry so the bristles stay in-place. Additionally, it is essential for you to dispose of any extra paint, paint thinner, primer, or other liquid correctly. Never pour these products down a drain or onto the ground. If you have questions regarding disposal, contact the manufacturer.
If you don’t think you have it in you to tackle your upcoming exterior painting job on your own, you’re not alone. That’s where the team at Hatch Homes comes in. For many years, our crew has been painting homes for happy clients throughout North Carolina and South Carolina. If you’d like to talk to us about handling the project you have coming-up soon, simply call our office.