weilerpainting.com Fundamentals Explained
Updated Feb 28, 2020 2:45 PM
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If you’re used to taking on your own renovations, painting your home’s exterior might be a natural money-saving project. But before you start positioning that ladder, here are the equipment, safety, and stress factors you should review.
Types of Houses and Features
Some houses are easier to paint, others more difficult. Which is yours?
How tall is your home?
Mike Lyster of Mike Lyster Painting and Wallcovering in Oshkosh, WI started out providing exterior painting services more than 28 years ago. He suggests that older, taller homes would be best left to a pro. Dick Seitz, Director of Communication and Training for Valspar, one of the largest global coatings manufacturers in the world, agrees. “A one-story rambler is relatively easy. A three-story Victorian with multiple dormers is a big challenge.”
Try this as a guideline: Straight exteriors on a simple, box-shaped house make for easier work. Irregularly shaped homes of two stories or more with dormers, gingerbread, or turrets, for example, tend to make for a more time-consuming and complicated project that may suggest a professional is needed.
Any intricate designs?
On the more ornate homes, such as those of Queen Anne style, accessibility is an issue. Ladders won’t get you into their many high nooks and crannies. Homeowners need experience and the correct equipment to be able to inspect, remedy, and paint in what can be awkward positions. If your home has delicate detailing on the first floor, decide if you are the type of person who enjoys doing detail work. If you do have the patience, a first-floor project should be right for you. Those who prefer the broad strokes might be better off leaving the detail work to a pro.
Flat or sloping ground?
Seitz also suggests looking at the grade (the finished surface slant of ground ) around the house for ladder positioning. It’s a plus if all sides have flat ground up to the house. Walkouts with slopes make it difficult to safely position ladders. Also check to see if obstacles like trees, shrubs, decks, fences, vines, or electric wires will be in the way.
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How much prep-work?
Examine your house for potential problems that may require extensive prep work. “Wood rot, mildew, severe peeling, or alligatoring are typical siding problems,” says Seitz. “Cracked window panes, crumbling glaze, and loose caulking around trim are other issues.” If you’re familiar with solving these problems, just be prepared that you might need a few extra days to remedy the situations. Talk with an experienced paint retailer about the problem for some potential solutions. Another option might be to consider hiring a pro to fix any extensive issues before you get started.
Do you have lead paint?
Homes built before 1978 have a good chance of having paint containing lead. If you decide to paint your home yourself, you will have to learn about how to handle and/or remove it safely.
Tools, Materials, Costs
Each home project will vary. If you have determined your needs and already own the equipment, your decision may be easier. But be sure to price out the rental or purchase of tools and equipment. Then compare the price of everything you need to rent and buy to estimates from at least three local professional companies who will bring all of it with them.
Lifts and ladders
Do you need ladders, scaffolding, planks, or lifts? While a one-story home may only require a ladder, a multi-story house may need not only larger ladders but perhaps scaffolding and planks or a lift. While you may be able to rent needed equipment, consider if you will be comfortable working at heights, says Lyster.
Prep materials
Preparing the house is the first step, and cleaning it is the number one job, says Seitz. Basic cleaning supplies include scrub brushes, pails, bleach for mildew, a cleaning agent such as TSP (trisodium phosphate), and a hose with spray nozzle.
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Tip: Consider power washers to clean exterior surfaces. “They do a good job of removing loose paint and surface dirt, but they don’t usually remove heavy chalk, which is created by oxidation of the previous coatings,” says Seitz. Check into hand and eye protection for this equipment and follow the guidelines.
Have drop cloths, rags, and masking tape for around critical areas such as windows. Lyster suggests canvas drop cloths instead of plastic so the grass or flowers underneath are not cooked in the sun.
Paint removers
If you have many areas of blistering or peeling paint, a good amount of scraping may be ahead. Carbide blade scrapers will be needed if a fair amount of scraping is involved. Also try using an old, dry paint brush to sweep dust away. Just be sure to use dust masks to protect your lungs. “Pressure washing should never be used to take off paint because it can ruin wood siding,” says Lyster. Chemical removers may be necessary if the paint has to be softened to be removed, as is the case with many older homes with coats of paint. Power sanding? That can be dangerous because it can release many toxic ingredients into the environment. After getting rid of the loose paint, sandpaper will feather the edges smooth.
Caulking
This is a must to seal up cracks around windows and doors and to maintain flexibility and adhesion over many years, says Seitz. There are many types of caulks available. Discuss your project with your paint retailer. Before purchasing any caulk, check the manufacturer’s instructions for recommended surfaces. Make sure the caulk you have selected is paintable and remains flexible to expand and contract with your home. Caulks that are 100% silicone, for example, are not paintable.
Paint applicators
Different sizes of quality brushes are basic, and if you are a typical DIYer, you probably already have several in your workshop. Quality brushes are made for the latex, oil, or varnish paints you will apply. The brush hairs are typically of varying lengths and taper neatly. They have a ferrule, or band, that holds the bristles tightly to the handle. Quality brushes hold more paint, don’t lose bristles, paint more smoothly, and are easier to use than cheaper alternatives. Spray equipment is a possibility if the house has a lot of flat surfaces with few doors or windows. Remember that sprayers require extensive cleaning. Overspray can be a problem, so everything needs to be covered well and you will need to get familiar with the use of a sprayer. Rollers also can be a time saver and are familiar to most DIYers if they have tackled interior paint jobs.
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Primer
You will need to prime any new, severely weathered, or problem areas to make sure there will be a proper seal of the surface and a smooth surface for the paint. A primer does not need to be used on a clean, dull, coated surface that is in good condition, according to Seitz. Typically you will want to choose a primer geared specifically for your job. If your paint will be 100% acrylic latex, you will want to use a 100% acrylic resins primer. If there are problem areas, however, consult with your local paint retailer for the best choice.
Paint
For most jobs, you will want 100% acrylic latex paint. “On the inside, you can get by with lesser quality, but you’ll want top-of-the-line for holding up to outside conditions. One hundred percent acrylic latex is everybody’s standard nowadays,” says Lyster. Valspar’s Seitz notes that a quality acrylic paint adheres best and holds its color much better than less expensive paints. If doing it yourself, consult a knowledgeable retailer to get the right products for the project.
Assess Experience and Skills
“If you have never painted before, even an interior surface, an exterior is probably not a good place to start. If you have painted an interior and had many problems or hated doing it, this is probably a good sign to call a pro,” says Carl Minchew, Director of Product Development for Benjamin Moore, a nationally known leader in the paint and coatings industry.
Just like any job, there are techniques and tricks to learn along the way. Lyster compares prep work to being a dental hygienist, carefully cleaning and probing for problems. Once problems are discovered, it’s vital to know or be able to find out how to remedy them. One example would be choosing a caulk and knowing how to apply it. “Put it on too thin and it expands and tears, leaving an opening for water,” says Lyster.
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If painting is more your speed than prepping, consider hiring someone for just the prep work. Check for handyman services in your area for someone experienced in such work, or ask local painting contractors if they ever handle just prep work and can provide an estimate.
Have you painted before?
Knowledge of painting techniques is important. “People tend to overbrush, extending paint too far and not putting on a thick enough coat,” says Lyster. Sprayers can put on a lot of paint in a hurry but require skill to use. If a house incorporates several colors, that design feature requires more skill in “cutting in,” where the colors butt up against each other, says Seitz.
Do you know your paint needs?
Estimating paint needs will be more difficult for a DIYer. Homeowners can use Valspar’s online paint calculator. Experts also suggest talking with knowledgeable paint retailers. They can provide advice for many painting problems or direct you to experienced pros.
Can you physically handle the job?
Being able to physically handle the job is a consideration. The mind may be willing, but painting an entire house requires a certain amount of fitness. “It’s physical work and takes arm and upper body strength,” says Lyster. Climbing up and down ladders for prep and painting also figures in.
Time and Labor
Your DIY estimate depends on your skills and experience in assessing the project. For a large project, it also depends on how much reliable, qualified help you have. If enlisting family or friends, learn if they have had previous experience and whether their time restraints could leave you with a project half-finished.
Will you have time for needed prep work?
Expect to spend 30–50% of the time on proper prepping. You won’t want to skimp on surface preparation. “Most failures of exterior paint are due to poor surface preparation or structural defects that lead to water damage. Extra time spent on stripping the exterior surface is almost always worth it,” says Minchew. If the house has signs of water damage, the damage must be repaired and the source of the water corrected before painting. Check caulking around windows; replace it if necessary. Check the gutters and roof. Roof leaks, ice dams, and plugged or leaking gutters can lead to moisture problems in the exterior walls that can affect paint.
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/372-painting-the-house-should-you-hire-a-pro/
We have encountered the article on Professional Painters directly below on the internet and decided it made perfect sense to talk about it with you over here.
Bolster The Aesthetic Beauty Of Your Home With These Tips
If you want to give your home a new look, but don't know where to start, this is the article for you. You will learn many home improvement tips in the following article. Follow the information presented here to make meaningful, successful improvements to your home.
Improve your home and lower your water bill by changing out your toilet with a more efficient model. Many companies have reduced the amount of gallons it takes to flush and they even feature options, such as flushing only liquids or solids, so you can control how much water is used, depending on what is in the toilet.
Seriously reconsider adding a swimming pool to your backyard. A pool can be an enjoyable addition to a home. What some people fail to realize is that they are also very expensive. Not only are there the initial costs to consider, there is also the cost of regular upkeep. Make sure you have the money and time required, to keep your pool area from falling into disrepair, before you spend the money on it.
Use school glue on your wall paper repairs. This cheap glue dries clear and works whether you are repairing a turned up corner, a tear, or a bubble that wasn't properly addressed when the wall paper was hung. The squeeze tip bottle even allows you to easily insert the glue into small places.
If your living room and dining room area are combined with no doorway, a great way to define both spaces and keep them separate is by painting both areas a different color. Color serves as a great separator for spaces and you don't need a doorway or door to be able to keep the two places functioning separately.
Make sure that you check your local building codes and get proper permits before you embark on any major remodeling project. Building codes and permits are meant to ensure that a specific building project adheres to safety standards. If a project does not follow building codes, there is a risk that the project may be unsafe.
Giving a new look to the pillows in your young adult's bedroom can be easy to do. Make pillowcases using old jeans, band t-shirts or interesting fabrics. This can add personality and lighten the mood in a young teenager's private space.
What you have just learned from the tips above might not be as specific as you need for any one particular project, but you should get a good idea of how you need to prepare for a home improvement project. It's not just something you should leap into. Use what you've learned here to act as your guide.
Simple Home Improvement Techniques From Experienced People
Making the decision to update your home can be a timely and costly project. However, the equity you gain in your home and the enhanced efficiency and appearance of it can be well worth the effort. Whether you hire a company to do the work or you choose to do it yourself, the following tips can give you guidance on all the do's and don'ts of every type of home improvement project imaginable.
Be sure to consider the type of material you plan to use before building an addition to your home. Using wood may increase your insurance premiums because of the added risk of fire. Steel and concrete are more durable and fire-resistant, so choosing one of these options can help keep your annual insurance premiums low.
Use shelf brackets to silence your squeaky stairs. Metal shelf brackets can have a multitude of uses. One use is to attach them underneath stairs to stop them from squeaking. Use a drill to quickly screw them into place. Be careful not to allow the screws to protrude through the steps!
Generally, when painting a room, you should apply a primer to the walls, to allow for better adherence by the paint. However, now there is an alternative that you may want to try. Many hardware stores now sell products that have a combination of primer and paint. This eliminates the primer step and speeds up the process of painting.
If you are article looking for a functional home improvement project, try "building up." Walls create a lot of wasted space. Add matching bookcases in your living room or build a window seat where your family can sit and read. Simple projects like these can make every space in your home usable and valuable to your family.
Downspouts, gutters, and chimneys are often not noticed for home improvements. It is important that these areas of your home are maintained so they function properly. If you do not clean out your chimney regularly, it can cause a fire; if you do not clean your gutters, it may cause water to overflow and flood your home.
Make your home feel like a home by adding a doormat. A lot of people tend to overlook the addition of a doormat in front of a door. It not only serves a purpose of making a home feel complete, but also serves to keep your floors clean. Putting out a doormat where people can wipe their feet will cut down the amount of time you spend cleaning your floors.
Home improvement is such a popular topic nowadays that you have a world of easy projects to choose from. Some projects and approaches work for some people, but not for others. Hopefully, this article gave you some ideas to get started on your home.
Langley Painters
Langley Painters
WCB Insured + Two Year Guaranteed
Interior and Exterior Painting Services
Hello! For the past several years, we have been serving the great community of Langley BC. It is our pride and joy to see every job done to your expectations. We will try to help you find the best look for your residence or business. We are excited to hear about what your exact painting needs are. Please call 778-588-5499 or fill out the form to the right to get in touch with us today.
There are so many reasons to get in touch with us. Here are just a few.
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Despite our name, we serve a variety of locations all around the Fraser Valley. We proudly serve
Langley
Surrey/South Surrey
Aldergrove
Maple Ridge
Even if you are outside of this service area, give us a call and tell us about your project.
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When you’re thinking of incorporating new paint to the outside of your private home or garage, don’t stress about vinyl siding: it may be painted! You should definitely start with clear, dry siding (this could have to have strain washing and good weather).
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Discuss to a couple diverse Painters and request quotes to check. We've about fifty experts and firms in Langley for you to match.
We focus on interior trim and transforming as well as drywall and privacy fencing we're bonded and insured and have already been in enterprise since 2006 . We are already the number 1 handyman assistance on Angies list back to back again yrs and we offer no cost estimates.