Prepping Your House for that New Exterior Paint Job
You’ve finally decided it’s time to spruce up the outside of your home. Maybe you are getting ready to sell it or maybe you just want to have a house that looks good inside and out. Well, everyone knows you need to pick out the color. That’s the fun part of the job. But there’s more to painting a house than putting on paint. There are a number of steps that must be taken to be sure the surfaces are prepped and ready to receive the color and reflect it in the best way possible for years to come. Let’s consider these steps more closely.
- Trim back shrubbery, trees and other landscaping so they do not become part of the paint job.
- Begin the painting process by cleaning the entire exterior of your home completely. You want the house to be fully clean so the paint doesn’t dry with dirt and other pollutants mixed in. The best way to do this is to power wash your home. If you do not own a power washer, they can be rented at most home repair and construction stores. Use a cleaner or additive only if you find mold and stains.
- Allow at least 24 hours for the exterior to dry thoroughly before beginning the next step, which requires a paint scraper and patience. Methodically move around the entire outside of the house scraping paint chips and flakes. These become quite obvious if they are painted over and not removed beforehand.
- Caulking is the next step. Here too, patience and attention to detail are necessary. The most expedient way to carry out this task is to fill cracks with caulk until it seeps beyond the edge, then wipe away the excess with a damp rag.
- If you have been cataloging areas of the exterior that need repairs, this is the time to complete them. Rotted boards or other problems that are too difficult to handle on your own require calling in a professional, such as a painting contractor, to complete the job.
- Next, prime the house with a quality primer. It seals the wood from the elements and will help make your paint job last longer.
Now it’s time to paint! Or you could hire the painting professionals at University Painters. We have been in the business since 1986 and we’ll treat your home as if it is our own! Contact us at 800-390-4848 for more information.