It’s that time of year where we enjoy warmer weather, lighter evenings, sitting in the garden and… noticing how much the house needs painting. Whether you are a regular outside painter or you usually wait until you can no longer avoid it, there are a few things that can help you to make the job easier, and which can help to keep your exterior looking bright and fresh for longer.
To do or not to do?
The first decision you need to make is whether to do the job yourself or if you need to get a professional painter in. Painting the exterior of your house is not always a simple job, depending on the height, size and location of your property as well as the condition of the exterior. If working at heights is involved, you experience damp inside the home, or there is obvious damage to the external walls, then it is probably a good idea to call in a specialist so that you can fix or prevent problems, instead of just covering them up. You may want to save money by painting your house yourself, but in some cases this is a false economy as the paint job won’t last as long as it should; and next time, the damage is likely to be worse (and more expensive).
Allocate time
If you are ready to take the plunge, make sure that you allocate a set period of time to do the work, and plan accordingly. Start by taking a look at your property and making a note of any areas that may need additional attention, such as small cracks that need filling and any areas that are particularly grubby or mouldy. This will give you the information that you need before you create your shopping list.
Paint or spray?
Traditional painting isn’t the only option when painting your exterior, you could choose to spray instead. It is possible to buy or hire a paint sprayer that will accommodate masonry paint. This turns the paint into a mist, which allows you to get great coverage in no time. If you decide to spray, you need to cover (mask) all areas that you don’t want to be painted (windows, doors, gutters etc). You also need to be aware of weather conditions; not just rain or shine, but wind, as an unexpected gust when spray painting could result in your garden, car or driveway being covered in masonry paint.
Shop!
Once you know what you need to do, and you have chosen your preferred colour, you will be able to make a list of what you need to complete the work. Your list may include: filler, putty, sandpaper, scraper, brushes and cleaning products for the prep before and the clean up after, dust sheets, tarpaulin and masking tape (if you are opting to spray rather than paint), ladders, paint, thinners, brushes and rollers.
Once you are prepped, you are ready to start painting! Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to find out more.