Painting the exterior of your house takes a lot of effort and preparation. If you do not paint your house carefully, you will end up with an unattractive and blotchy paint job, which decreases its life expectancy. There are many factors that contribute to a well-painted house that can be easily overlooked. So before you begin, read over these exterior home painting tips.
The first step you take should be to check the exterior of the house. Check for dirt stains, mildew, paint that is chipping, etc. It is important to get rid of obstructions to create a smooth surface for the paint. You can even sand down the walls before painting. A power hose washer is also strong enough to get rid of these obstructions. More specifically, you can use a mildew remover solution which is available at many hardware stores. If this area on your house is highly susceptible to mildew, you can also purchase a mildew resistant additive you can put into your paint for future protection.
This is also a good time to take care of rotting wood. Repair small pieces of rotting wood with caulk, or replace the rotting wood completely. Also check for leaky gutters and pipes, as well as pests and rodents that may cause damage down the road.
After checking the exterior of your house, it is time to prepare the painting materials:
– You will need a ladder and—depending on how sturdy the ladder is—someone to hold it steady. The ladder you use may also mark up the walls. Tape a towel to the tops of the ladders in order to avoid marking up the walls. To prevent streaking, paint your house from top to bottom.
– Make sure to use painter’s tape for windows, lights, and doors. This will help maintain straight and clean edges.
– The fastest and most efficient way to paint is to use an airless paint spray. If you do not have one, you can rent one. Remember that the paint particles will drift some distance in the wind, so keep cars and other valuables at a distance.
– If you do not want to use a air spray, use a paint roller at first and then use a three to four inch bristle brush to touch up the spaces you could not reach with the roller.
– Use an oil primer in addition to latex or acrylic to add extra protection.
– If you are using multiple cans of paint for the exterior, try to mix them all together so that the paint remains consistent throughout the whole house.
– If you are painting the ground, it would be best to add sand into the paint. This is beneficial because it adds traction while walking.
If you feel like you cannot handle the job, use TalkLocal to find a professional painter.
