4 Things to Do Before Painting Your Home’s Exterior 

If you have decided that this summer is the time to have the exterior of your home painted, you have made a great choice. Summer is the perfect time to maintain the exterior of your home. The weather is usually cooperative, the humidity is in the right range for the curing(drying) of paint, and the longer days allow for optimal working hours. 

Before you hire a painting company, like our team here at Jerry Enos Painting, you may want to consider doing a few things before starting the project. Here are four things that you will want to add to your “To-Do” list prior to the start date. 

Clean the Exterior Surfaces

Painting over a dirty surface will have disastrous consequences. It could lead to an inability of the paint to adhere to the surface and thus cause peeling, bubbling, and uneven adhesion. To prevent these from happening, it is smart to clean the exterior of your home prior to the beginning of your paint project. 

A few suggestions for cleaning include: power washing or pressure washing the exterior of the home, hand washing the detail areas like the trim, and scrubbing the window cases. Be sure to hire an experienced power washer as too much pressure directed at the wood siding can damage it. 

Repair Damaged Areas

While cleaning your home’s exterior, you may find that there are areas that need repair. Be sure to replace wood that is damaged to ensure that the paint will adhere when it is applied. Repair dents, warped wood, or railings that may be loose. Check the hinges of your shutters if you have them on the exterior of your home as well. Remember to look for damage caused by pests such as carpenter bees, carpenter ants, and termites.

Re-Caulk or Reseal Windows 

Some homeowners find while inspecting the exterior, that their windows need some attention. Usually a cleaning and then caulking or sealing of the windows will help the overall appearance of the windows and will help with energy savings during heating and cooling seasons. 

Protect Surrounding Areas 

Just as you would cover floors and furnishings if you were painting the interior walls of your home, you should use sheets and tarps to cover bushes, shrubs, and exterior items that you want to avoid dripping paint onto outside your home. This is especially important if you are painting around patios, decks, and front walkways. Protect tender plant growth with mesh or wooden/plastic tenting. 

Are you getting ready to paint the exterior of your home? Consider taking these four steps to get ready for your project. Contact Jerry Enos Painting for professional help in refreshing your home with paint.  

Categorised in: Curb Appeal, Exterior painting, Jerry Enos