In general, houses need to be repainted every five to ten years. However, this timeframe can be shorter or longer depending on the material of your exterior walls, the location of your home, weather conditions, and how particular you are with maintaining this feature.
You also need to invest in a paint job as soon as possible when you see peeling and bubbling paint, as well as bare patches on the surface outside your home.
If you want the new color to last longer, you have to choose good-quality outdoor paint. Moreover, you have to ensure that the job is done correctly.
Preparing for Exterior Painting
A crucial part of painting the outside of your home correctly and getting excellent results is preparing the exterior well before the actual paint application.
If you are doing a DIY job, follow these prep steps and tips to get the results you are looking for from your home improvement project:
1. Scrape off the old paint.
The first step for preparing your house for exterior painting is removing any loose paint.
Flat putty knives and pull scrapers are excellent for removing old oil paint. Try to take out as much loose and flaking paint as possible.
This step may be the most tedious and time-consuming prep task, but it is one of the most vital ones. If you leave plenty of old paint behind, you won’t have a smooth canvas for the actual painting job.
Additionally, if the flecks are painted over, the new paint will simply flake off, thereby rendering the project useless.
When scraping off old paint, wear goggles to protect your eyes. Keep your nose covered as well; use a face mask or tie a handkerchief around your face.
2. Wash the outside of your house.
Once you are done scraping the old paint, wash the exterior of your home, from top to bottom.
If your home exterior is made of concrete, brick, or stone and you want to have a faster time completing this part, rent a pressure washer. However, if you have wood siding, you have to use manual labor to clean the exterior.
Use a grout sponge, soft brush, and water with soap to clean surfaces. Make sure you remove any mold growth you find and other stains from the exterior. Once you are done with one area, rinse it immediately to prevent the dirty water from drying.
Cleaning the exterior is another important step in the prep process. When done properly, you will have a clean surface, which will maximize the adhesion of the new paint to your exterior.
Before proceeding to the actual painting project, leave the exterior to dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours.
3. Make the necessary repairs.
Once you have removed the old paint and cleaned your house exterior, you will notice holes, cracks, and voids on the surface. Before you start with the actual painting project, you have to tackle these issues first.
Apply caulk to any cracked seams and holes you see. However, make sure you do not put caulk in gaps between structures made for ventilation. This includes the edges of soffits and gutters.
If there are parts that are severely rotted or damaged, you may have to call a professional handyman to take care of those. If you attempt to DIY those but do not have the right training and experience in repairing these issues, you may end up having worse problems that will be costlier to fix.
4. Sand the outside walls.
Whether you are painting wooden or concrete exterior walls, sanding the surface is another preparatory step that can help you get the results you are looking for.
By sanding the exterior walls, you’ll facilitate the mechanical bonding between the coats of paint. Because of this, the paint will stick and maintain its appearance for longer.
Sanding is also particularly important if you are using oil-based paint. This extra step helps ensure your paint job will last for many years.
If you are sanding weathered wood, use medium-grit paper. If you are tackling door and window trims, fine-grit paper is the perfect tool.
For concrete, use an electric sander or grinder or concrete sandpaper.
5. Prepare the grounds.
Since you are painting the outside of your home, you need to be extra careful about getting paint on your plants, shrubs, and other outdoor features. As such, your prep strategy should include protecting them.
Cover flower beds and shrubs with lightweight canvas tarps. However, remove them at the end of each day to avoid damaging or killing the plants.
If there are potted plants near the wall you are painting, move them into another area and transfer them back once you are done. Protect any water features, such as your pond or birdbath fountain.
Lastly, if your dog and his doghouse are placed near your house, move those temporarily. Place them in an area far from the project area.
Keep your pet somewhere safe, so you won’t accidentally trip on him and he won’t get hit by a falling can or ladder.
6. Apply the primer.
Lastly, before applying your choice of exterior wall paint, prime all bare or exposed areas where you have removed the old paint.
Priming the walls helps seal the bare surface and create a moisture-tight barrier between your house and the new paint job. Additionally, it will give your exterior a more cohesive and appealing look.
When choosing your primer, choose one that supports the paint color you will use or one that is lighter. Once you have primed all surfaces, do not leave any area unpainted.
Preparing for an exterior painting project can be tiring. Doing the actual paint job can even be more draining. If you don’t want to go through the whole exhausting process, hire professionals to handle everything from the start.
Get in touch with Equipaint to know more about our residential painting services.