Painting the outside of your house can give it a fresh new look and can also help to increase its value. In general, the exterior of your home should be re-painted every 5-8 years, depending on certain factors such as the quality of the paint you are using, the amount of sun exposure your house receives, the climate you live in, etc. When making the decision to re-paint your house there are some do’s and dont’s you should pay attention to:
- DO understand the work involved – Painting a home can be a very labor intensive and complicated job. There are a lot of details that cannot be overlooked. It’s important to understand this before making the decision to complete the job on your own because simple mistakes can lead to costly repairs down the road. Short-cuts should never be taken and every detail should be addressed.
- DON’T slack on the prep work – Preparation is very important for a quality paint job. First, you should check the weather report to ensure you’re not going to be painting on a windy or stormy day. Next, power wash the exterior so the paint you are applying has a clean surface to adhere to. Get a tarp, sheet or blanket to cover plants, flowerbeds, patio areas, etc. Take a look at the current paint and get rid of any areas that are chipping, cracked or peeling off. It’s important to be as thorough as possible to ensure you don’t miss any spots.
- DO choose the right type of paint – Choosing the right kind of paint can be a difficult task because of the wide range of surfaces. You may want to choose the type of paint based on what was used before. Latex (water based) works best over latex and alkyd (oil based) works best over alkyd. Latex is the most common and popular type of paint on the market. It is very easy to apply, has very little odor, dries rather quickly, and is easy to clean up with a little soap and water. Latex does not adhere well to oil based paints or surfaces that that haven’t been prepared properly. On the other hand, alkyd paint is very durable but dries very slowly. It also has a long-lasting odor and requires solvents to clean up.
Painting the outside of your home can increase its value and yield great results if done properly. Having an understanding of the work involved, completing the proper prep work and choosing the right paint are key to a quality paint job. Contact Priority One Home Repair at (623) 505-7282 for a free estimate or any questions regarding your exterior house paint.
