Painting Before Winter

Before you get out the hot chocolate and plan your next snowman, there are a few things your home may need.

A good coat of paint not only looks better in all your winter photos, it can help keep the heating bills a little lower. There are a few steps involved in correctly painting a home before winter's wonder strikes and several things that need to be considered to make sure it is done properly.

First, caulk all facia boards, trim and siding. This prevents rot and will keep you from having to do expensive repairs. However, if the facia boards, trim or siding are rotten they will need to be replaced (and caulked) before painting.

 

Second, power wash the areas you are going to paint. This cleans off any mildew, mold, dirt or old paint that may prevent the new paint from adhering correctly. While this may seem an irritating and time consuming part of the process, you will thank yourself later when the new paint you have invested time and money in stays on your house rather than chipping off and becoming unsightly.

 

Third, pick a new paint. There are many pretty colors to choose from and new paint can make an older house look more up to date. However, while you are considering a paint color keep in mind that dark colors will fade. Even if you pick the most expensive paint on the market, dark colors will still fade before lighter colors. However, this does not mean you should give up and get the cheapest paint on the market. Not all paints are created equal and getting a good quality exterior paint will help preserve the new look of your home (and the wood the paint is covering) longer.

Furthermore, using Latex or oil base paints depends upon your preference, how long you can let the paint dry, the last paint that was used on your home's exterior and other details. While picking a new paint, keep in mind that "one coat" paints are often not all they are cracked up to be. In order to get good coverage and to adequately preserve the wood they are protecting, paint often needs to be applied in more than one coat.
On a side note, you can also add a pesticide to your paint to help it resist spiders and other bugs. This can help keep bugs out of the eves and crevices of your siding.

 

Fourth, all bare material (wood, concrete sidng, etc) should be primed before paint is applied. This ensures new paint will adhere well and helps to protect the wood or other material better and longer. 

 

Fifth, read the manufacturer information about the optimal temperature, humidity, and time of day for painting to ensure the best results. Typically paint will not dry as quickly on very humid days. Also, although many contractors and homeowners will use only paint sprayers when painting large projects, this may not give optimal results. In many cases, either rolling or brushing paint on is best although sometimes a combination of spraying and back-rolling will work. The proper application will ensure good, even coverage.

 

Lastly, if this project sounds too large to handle on your own and you plan to hire a contractor, make sure the contracor you choose prepares all surfaces before applying paint. You will save a lot of time, money and irritation by finding a contractor who, before painting, will take the time to caulk, power wash and offer to repair parts of your trim or facia that need work.

 

Many times, Paul also suggests applying metal or vinyl facia before painting to give your home an exterior that will need less maintenance and be attractive longer. The facia board always gets the brunt of rain, gutter leakage and snow run off. Therefore, metal or vinyl saves many ugly and expensive failures.

Want to learn more about Mid South? Visit us on our Website.

 

You can also call or email for a no charge estimate or advice for you home needs in interior and exterior painting and repairs.
479-601-2002 Paul

MidSouthBuilders@gmail.com