Getting the home ready for the summer months is always an exciting time for all the family. One area where you can create a massive wow-factor is by freshening up the exterior. Applying a fresh coat of paint or going for a completely new color altogether will make your exterior look much more inviting.
It may be a pretty time-consuming job, but it is one that will leave you with a massive sense of pride once the job is done. So if you are planning to go ahead and do the job yourself, these exterior painting tips will point you in the right direction.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
We say this is virtually every post, but it is probably the most critical stage. Failing to prepare the surfaces and the surrounding area adequately, can lead to problems much later on in the process and cost you both time and money.
Therefore, always make sure that check the surfaces, guttering, and flashing for any signs of damage before getting started. If anything needs repairing, then do that first. You will also need to clean the surfaces of any debris, mold, or other dirt which may have accumulated.
Once all of these steps are done, then you should move all the furniture that is close to the exterior and apply a plastic covering to the surrounding surfaces. Now, with the help of the next step, you are ready to get going.
Don’t Cut Corners
This step is all about making sure that you have the right equipment and paint for your exterior surfaces. You may be tempted to go for cheaper options, but this very rarely works out in the long-term. Certain paints and brushes are more suited to different kind of surfaces, so it always makes sense to get some advice before going ahead with a purchase.
Take Your Time
Painting exterior surfaces isn’t a five-minute job, but it shouldn’t be a five-week job either! The main problem a lot of people have is they completely underestimate the time required to do a proper job. It doesn’t matter how big the house is, painting the exterior is going to take at least a day or two of solid work. And, that might just be in preparation work only.
Therefore, make sure you have a clear awareness of the size of the job ahead. From there, you can plan accordingly.
Ask For Help
There may be some hard to reach spots or places which involve scaling some tall ladders, so make sure that you don’t try and do it all by yourself. Get a friend or family member to help you secure the ladders and keep an eye on you.
However, if after hearing all of this you don’t feel up to the job, then it might be a good idea to get a roofing contractor in. They will have the expertise and skills to get the job done quickly and to a high standard. Not to mention, you’ll be able to focus on things that you enjoy doing or other areas of the house.