Exterior Painting Mistakes to Avoid

Everyone makes mistakes now and then, but to really make a huge mess, paint must be involved! Every summer, we get calls from harried homeowners who valiantly attempted to DIY by painting the exterior of their home. Usually, those calls are to fix mistakes or redo sections that did not come out aesthetically pleasing as hoped. Sometimes, the mistakes take a little repair and rehab. If you think that DIY is the way to go for your home’s exterior paint job, then avoid these common exterior painting mistakes.

• Enlisting the Help of Novices – While it may seem like a fun activity to invite friends, family, and children to help paint the house, we do not suggest it! Sure, it would be great to have an extra set of hands or two but avoid asking for help from someone who has no investment in your home, and certainly someone who has never prepped and painted before.
• Skipping the Cleaning and Prepping Step – Many homeowners find that, after they painted, the paint seems to be coming off quickly or not covering well. It is possible, if you did not clean and prep the wood, that the paint is having a hard time adhering to the dirty surface. Always clean the surface and scrape the wood to be sure all peeling, bubbles, and cracks are dealt with before you even pick up a paint brush. This includes caulking windows, sanding and filling holes, and repairing any wood that is damaged.
• Using the Ladder Properly – For your safety, always place and use a ladder properly. This includes having pets and children away from the area in case they bump into the ladder, and always have an assistant at the bottom holding the ladder by the base. Another safety guideline is to not reach when painting, as that can easily lead to tipping and falling.
• Forgetting to Check the Weather – Many homeowners jump at the chance to paint on a weekend, but be sure to check the weather for the next coming days as well. Avoid painting when rain or high humidity is in the forecast for the next 72 hours or longer. It may mean waiting, but it can save you the hassle of having to repaint an area.

Are you looking to avoid all the typical mistakes that can come with painting the exterior of your home? Call Jerry Enos Painting at 978-546-6843, or visit our website to find out more about our attention to detail, cleaning, prepping, and professional painting when it comes to your most valuable asset – your home.

Categorised in: How-Tos, Jerry Enos, Painting Challenges