House exterior painting tips

Painting the outside of a home can be a daunting task. There are so many elements that go into the final product but there are a few things that will make it easier. These tips will help you make a few changes in order to brighten up your home’s appearance and make your time well worth the effort.

1. Talk to Friends First

Most homes are the same on the inside- sheetrock. Yet, exteriors come in a variety of materials that you may not be familiar with. Most people move into a house that is already painted on the exterior. This means they may be stepping into a foreign land when they decide to paint brick or wood. Talk to neighbors, friends, and professional painters about your specific housing needs and make sure you are using the right type of paint before beginning.

2. Pressure Wash/Clean

You may have even thought about cleaning the exterior first. Do not just run water from a garden hose over it. Clean the surfaces as much as possible. Any blemish present will be more obvious when it is coated beneath your paint. Insects, wood chips, and other debris can be easily washed away by a powerful pressure washing. It is a small price to pay for the future success of your job.

3. Plan for Weather

In Birmingham, Alabama, the weather changes every five minutes. You can still keep an eye out for those weeks with less chance of dramatic weather. If you are painting in the colder months, paint will tend to thicken up in the coldness. If you are painting in the dead heat of summer, the sun will be baking down on you as you paint. Waiting a few weeks can change your mood by leaps and bounds. The best tip here is to paint early in the morning and in the evening. Depending on your preference, you could choose to paint on the east side in the morning to get more sunlight or you could save the west side of the home for the evening where the sun will not be in your eyes.

4. Rise to New Heights

That step ladder isn’t going to do it nor is that small extension for your roller. That roof sure seems a long way away! Get a bigger ladder and a roller (if able to use a roller) to reach to the eaves easily. Each year in the United States, over 100,000 people are injured in ladder-related accidents. Many of these are life altering or deadly. A great life-saving tip: Keep your belt buckle inside the ladder’s edges. Do not extend outward or you may lose balance and fall. Having a bigger ladder will allow you to reach higher without trying to step dangerously on a smaller ladder. If you are working a larger project, it may be best to invest in scaffolding.

5. Consider Renting a Sprayer

When brushes and rollers just won’t cut it, consider renting a sprayer. Local and retail chains offer rentals on a daily basis and it can be much more efficient. There are cordless sprayers as well if you wish for more maneuverability as you spray. Don’t be afraid to branch out. You could be done days faster than you first planned.