When you think about painting of any kind, do you give as much thought to preparing the surface as you do with the choice of color and other easily visible things? Unfortunately, many people rush through the preparation process and also the clean-up in a hurry, simply because these two processes take a bit of extra work.
However, you would be wise to take your time when getting the exterior of your home ready for painting. The first item on your to-do list would be to talk to your painting contractor to get input on what steps are required, or gather information from another reliable source. To get things started correctly, here are some items you should definitely cover during preparation.
Careful Inspection
This may sound a bit obvious, but the truth is that many people take quick walks around their properties and say something like, “It needs to be painted.” That is not really enough to qualify as an inspection. You should make notes of where you see damage to the siding, windows, and doors, for example. Is some of the exterior surface deterioration due to rain, snow, and sunlight?
This is important because you will need to arrange for repairs before a professional painter can do a satisfactory job. It is also essential that you determine if the current paint is lead-based. A contractor will need to know this so the correct preparation steps are included. This will be crucial information when taking the next step: selecting the right type of paint and the color.
You will need to decide on the sheen or finish, as well as the primary hue for the major part of the painted surface. Working with an experienced professional will make this a bit easier, as he or she will be able to guide you toward the correct paint type, which will affect both preparation and clean-up. One of the most important parts of the pre-painting process is the pressure washing or another thorough cleaning to remove dirt, mildew, and mold. Don’t skip this part of the process!
When You Clean
Another part of the preparation process that some homeowners skip is the protection step. Some individuals don’t cover their plants and flowers and the concrete surfaces next to the house. These should be covered so that they are not damaged by paint drops and spills. It is also necessary to provide for the clean-up of paint chips if lead-based paint is being scraped off.
The preparation process should also include careful masking of windows, as well as caulking around those windows. You should also take the time to caulk any obvious cracks that need to be closed before you finish painting. You should ask your contractor if it will be necessary for you to spot prime any bare wood or if that will be part of the contract.
As you take all these important steps before any finish painting begins, you should also be sure to know the details of the clean-up process. As with any purchase of services, you should understand what the contractor will take care of and what your responsibility will be.
