Aging exterior paint is more than an eyesore – it makes your home vulnerable to weather and rot and effectively lowers its curb appeal. If your residence looks like it’s seen better days, well – a fresh coat of exterior paint is just what the doctor ordered!
However, before you give expert exterior painters in Timnath a call (or break out the rollers yourself), you’ll need to make your house paint-ready. Fear not, for we’ve got the scoop that’ll help you brush up on your prep skills, so let’s dive in!
How do I prepare my house for exterior painting?
Before we start, you should understand that this type of prep work is quite time-consuming and that certain activities require more than a basic knowledge of pre-paint preparation. However, if you do decide to hire pros, they’ll take care of the majority of the prep work!
Step 1: Clear & Protect
The first step should always be to ensure easy access and unobstructed movement for your painters (or yourself, if you’re DIYing), which will significantly help speed up the painting process. So, roll up your sleeves and:
- Move outdoor furniture, plants, and decorations away from the house. This also helps keep said items safe from paint splatters, which is a great bonus.
- Remove outdoor light fixtures, house numbers, and other exterior decorations to prevent paint from getting stuck in tight spaces.
- Cover nearby surfaces like sidewalks, driveways, and landscaping with drop cloths or plastic sheets to protect them from stray paint droplets.
Step 2: Give your house a spa day
To ensure better paint adhesion and a smoother finish, it is highly recommended to power wash your house to remove dirt, grime, mildew, and old paint flakes. If you’re DIYing, be sure to:
- Use a wide fan tip to avoid damaging surfaces.
- Keep the nozzle at least 12 inches away from the surface.
- Test the powerwasher on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure the pressure won’t damage your siding.
Step 3: Fix those flaws
Remember that part where you’ll need some advanced skills? Well, this is it. If your home hasn’t seen a paint job in a while, there’s a high probability that you’ll have to do some repair work, which typically requires a good degree of carpentry knowledge and specialized tools:
- Fix any holes or cracks in your siding, trim, or stucco with a patching compound. Wait until dry, then sand smooth.
- Replace rotten wood, if necessary. Yes, it’s a bigger job, but it’s worth it in the long run. Trust us – your home’s structural integrity will thank you for it!
- Caulk around windows, doors, and trim to seal gaps and prevent water and paint from seeping in.
Step 4: Tape it up
With power washing and repairs out of the way, it is time for the final protection work. Use the painter’s tape to:
- Mask off areas you don’t want painted (e.g., windows, doors, gutters).
- Protect surfaces like brick, stone, or concrete.
- Use decorative masking if you want to add some creative details to your facade.
Step 5: The final check
All right – you’re almost done! Now, all that’s left is to do a final walkaround and double-check your prep work to ensure everything is ready for painting. Also, it’s highly recommended to verify the weather forecast, as you’ll want to avoid painting in direct sunlight, high winds, and (of course) rain.
And that’s a wrap (literally)! With these simple yet crucial steps, your house is now primed (pun intended) for a beautiful exterior paint job! Whether you’re hiring pro painters or going the DIY route, your prep work will pay off in the form of a stunning, long-lasting finish.
Who are the top exterior painters near me in Timnath, CO?
If you’re looking for the best painters for your home – you’re in the right place! Handyman Connection of Fort Collins has a long history of transforming interiors and exteriors into the best versions of themselves.
Whether you reside along the Poudre River Corridor or elsewhere in the Timnath region, you can count on our extensively trained and experienced professionals to give your home the makeover it deserves. Contact us today to get started!