Exterior painting is a difficult task that sometimes requires a lot of preparation. The amount of time the project will take most obviously depends on the size of your home, but it might also depend on other factors such as the intricacy of the house’s surface. There are many steps to take in preparation beforehand, so here are a few reminders.
1. Protect Your Plants
This is the first thing you should do. You may have gone to a friend’s home and noticed paint spatters on the grass or on their bushes. That is most likely due to a “do it yourself” exterior paint job where they didn’t take the protection of the plants into account.
In order to avoid this common accident, you should remove all potted plants from the surrounding area. If plants are in the ground, cover them with a tarp or plastic bag so they don’t get paint on or around them. Finally, cover the grass as well to keep paint from dripping below.
It might seem like a harmless thing, but the paint actually affects the plants in adverse ways. Primer is especially harmful to plants if it gets into the soil.
2. Clean the Surface Beforehand
Unlike paint inside your home, the exterior of your house can be affected by the elements. Your house’s siding is more prone to dust and dirt sticking to the surface. The siding can also be worn down by the elements, which makes it difficult for the paint to adhere to the surface.
You should start with pressure washing your home before painting. Allow the surface to dry prior to applying paint. Any rough spots on the siding should be sanded smooth for an even and porous surface to allow the paint to set in.
3. Use This Opportunity to Take Care of Siding
After removing the paint from your home you should inspect the siding. There could be many problem areas that otherwise would go unnoticed. The damage will be most apparent when you remove the paint.
Rotted siding will be crumbling or darkened to black in some parts. Rotting from the inside is harder to spot, but can be evidenced by sponginess or loose boards. Any signs of damage should be addressed before painting.
4.Always Use Primer
Primer will sometimes be optional inside your home, but it is a necessity for an exterior painting project . The primer helps the paint stick to the surface and makes it last longer. If you do not prime, then the paint will wear down in a matter of months and begin to peel.
The above are just a few tips to take into account before you go on to painting your home. There are many considerations to make such as the type of paint you will be using and its color, and the more important considerations may be forgotten in the process. If all this seems like a lot to take on, consider going with an experienced painting company to take the worry away. They can do all of the above and more to make sure you’re exterior paint job looks beautiful.