subject: Preparing Your House for Painting [print this page] Preparing Your House for Painting Preparing Your House for Painting
Adequately preparing your house for painting is a vital step towards a successful paint job that lasts. A beautiful finish relies on proper preparation and enough time, as much as the painting itself in fact, must be allowed to do it justice.As the exterior is exposed to the elements of rain, wind and sunlight it is especially important to pay attention to preparation here. Take a careful look over the house and thoroughly examine those areas most prone to damage like windows, doors, wooden trim and fascia. If the damage is light you can probably fix it using wood filler but extensively damaged wood should be replaced. Now is a good time to prevent future damage to fascia, windows and doors by making sure that they have metal flashings installed to direct water into the gutters.Any bubbling, mould and mildew in the current paint will show you were remedial action is required. Repair all leaks and get rid of the mould and mildew before you go any further. Make sure that the mould and mildew won't grow back.A quick and thorough way of cleaning the exterior is to use a high pressure wash. This followed by sanding and scraping and it is important to do both for thorough removal of loose paint. Be patient with this step as the entire paint job rests on ensuring that every last bit of loose paint is removed. Do a bit of research on the existing paint and take safety measures if you suspect that lead might be present.Now that your house is well prepared it is time to apply primer and choose the paint and you are wise to go with the highest quality within your budget as your house is often the most valuable item in your possession.The interior of the home will also need preparation before painting. Any lumps, bumps and holes will show up and mar the overall appearance of your finish so you want your walls to be as smooth as possible. For this you will need a sharp spatula. Knock off bumps on the walls. You can also use the end of the handle to press into holes to make them smooth and easier to fill. Apply the filler using two putty knives. It will be easier to sand down and create a more even surface if you apply two layers using less filler than one layer using a big blob. Use a sponge sander and work from the edge to the middle.Check door frames and baseboards for cracks where they meet the walls and repair these with a tiny amount of caulking. You should allow for two to three layers of caulking and allow each to dry before applying another one. Patience is required.You won't be able to paint around switch plates without making a mess so make sure that these are all taken off. Move all furniture out of the room or into the middle and cover the floor and furniture with sheets.When you look at how much time is required for the paint job including preparation you might feel that it is worth engaging a professional. If you are looking for painters Christchurch has many to choose from. Make sure that the quote includes preparation and repairs as well as high quality paint.
