There are few home-maintenance painting jobs around the home that are as important as exterior painting. Painting is the first line of defence. From the piercing rays of the hot Aussie sun to the icy frosts of winter, decent paint and caulking can make all the difference.
Painting the outside of your home will give you the protection you need to fortress your home against the elements, add vibrancy to your street appeal and increase value too!
The first signs that you need to repaint your home is if you notice cracking, peeling or blistering. If you ignore these signs, you will likely find yourself with a much larger job down the track!
Before you start the job, here are some tips that can help you achieve the best results.
- Select the correct paint
There are two types of exterior paints that you can choose from: water-based latex and oil-based alkyd. Latex cleans up with soap and water, dries quickly, has low odour and remains flexible longer.
Alkyd paints require mineral spirits (paint thinner) for clean-up as opposed to just soap and water.
The colour that you choose to paint your house is really a personal preference, however there are many stores in the Parkes area that can supply you with the tools for the job ahead.
- Prepare the surface
Should you not prepare the surface, the exterior of your home will not stack up against Australia’s harsh weather. By not taking the vital steps early on in the painting process, the paint will not stick, will look patchy or rippled and its longevity will be greatly diminished.
Pressure washing the house or using a scrubbing brush with soapy water are two very effective ways of removing dust and dirt. Ensure there are no nails protruding from the surface of the area that you are going to paint and using an exterior putty, fill the gaps. Once set, sand the surface.
Take your time, enjoy your project and at the end of it, sit back knowing that you have the best house on the street.