A fresh coat of color has the power to completely change your house, bringing new life to both large and tiny places. According to many real estate consultants, even a simple exterior paint job can raise the value of your home by up to 5%. This can be especially useful if you ever plan on selling your property in a city like Rathdrum, where home prices witnessed an 11.5% decline in July 2023, according to REDFIN.
But, before you take out the brushes and rollers, appropriate preparation is essential for obtaining that immaculate finish. In this article, we will walk you through 7 crucial guidelines for preparing your home for a paint job that will not only look professional but will also stand the test of time.
Storage place:
If you’re painting a specific room, you can usually move your belongings to another room in the house. However, if you’re painting the entire house, the situation becomes more complicated and may require temporary storage solutions. Storage units can be incredibly beneficial for such extensive projects. They not only protect your belongings from paint but also from weather conditions that could affect them if kept outside.
For example, in cities like Rathdrum, Idaho, that experience a varied climate with ample rainfall, keeping furniture and other belongings outside can be risky. Hence, the best option would be to rent a storage unit in your city. For instance, you can use the keywords storage Rathdrum Idaho, go through online reviews and select the best option. Renting a storage unit will ensure your belongings are kept in a climate-controlled, secure environment, making your home painting project a hassle-free experience.
Clear the Area
When painting a room, a clear, unobstructed space is vital for efficient work and to prevent unintentional damage to your belongings. Here’s how you can effectively clear the area to prepare for a paint job:
Remove Wall Hangings:
- Artworks and Photographs: Before starting, take down all artworks, photographs, and other framed items from the walls. Remember to remove the nails, screws, or hooks that held them in place.
- Clocks and Mirrors: Even if they’re not directly in the way, remove them to prevent accidental knocks or paint splatters.
Take Down Curtains and Blinds:
- Curtains: Remove curtains from their rods, fold them neatly, and place them away from the area that needs to be painted.
- Blinds: If it is easy to remove, take them down. Otherwise, pull them up to keep them clear of paint.
Cover Remaining Items:
- Drop Cloths: Lay thick drop cloths or old sheets over the furniture. It protects them from dust, paint droplets, and accidental spills.
- Plastic Sheeting: For items that are more susceptible to damage, like electronics, consider covering them with plastic sheeting, which provides a more waterproof barrier.
- Secure Coverings: Tape the edges of the clothes or sheets to the floor or furniture to prevent them from slipping off.
Clean the Surface
Begin by thoroughly cleaning the walls with a mild detergent mixed with water. This helps to remove dirt, grease, and grime that may have accumulated over time. Dust and oils can interfere with the paint’s ability to adhere to the wall, leading to uneven application and less durability. You can use a sponge or a soft fabric to wipe down the surface, but for particularly grimy areas, you may need to employ a scrub brush. Rinse the walls well with clean water afterward to remove any soap residue.
Repair Imperfections
Walls often have minor imperfections like nail holes, dents, or small cracks that can become obvious once painted over. To address this, use a spackling compound or a wall repair patch. Apply the compound with a putty knife, filling the hole or crack until it’s level with the wall surface. After the spackle has dried—which usually takes a few hours—it’s essential to sand the repaired areas to ensure they are as smooth as the rest of the wall.
Primer Application
Priming the walls serves multiple purposes. It provides a consistent base for your paint, which can lead to a more vibrant color outcome. Moreover, a primer can help cover existing colors and stains, reducing the number of coats you’ll need for full coverage. Choose a primer that’s appropriate for your wall type and condition. Some paints come with a built-in primer, but for walls with significant stains or for drastic color changes, a separate primer is often recommended.
Protect the Non-Painted Areas
One of the most crucial phases in a home painting process is protecting areas that are not supposed to be painted. This not only ensures a perfect finish but also saves time on clean-ups and potential touch-ups.
- Tape Off the Edges
Using painter’s tape to define the areas you want to paint and those you don’t is essential for producing a professional look. Apply the tape tightly along the edges of window frames, door frames, electrical outlets, and baseboards to form a barrier that will keep paint from splattering onto these surfaces. Carefully pull off the tape before the paint dries to avoid chipping or ripping.
- Cover the Floors
Even the most attentive painters sometimes have unintentional spills and drips. Spread drop cloths or plastic sheeting on the ground before beginning the paint job to protect your floors.
Canvas drop cloths are more resilient and less slippery than plastic ones, providing better protection for hardwood or tiled surfaces.
Remove the kids and pets from the area:
When undertaking a painting project at home, it is imperative to emphasize the safety and well-being of children and pets around. The presence of wet paint, open cans, and various painting tools can pose both a safety threat and a potential mess. Curious little hands or paws might touch or knock over a paint can, leading to spills that are not only hard to clean but could also result in exposure to toxic fumes.
To prevent accidents and ensure a smoother painting experience, it is best to set aside a separate area or room for kids and pets until the paint job is completed or when all tools are safely placed away.
Designate a specific area:
If you’re hiring professionals, assign an area for painters to wash their brushes and store their equipment. This spot could be a little nook in the garage or an out-of-the-way room. Having a defined spot allows painters to clean brushes and rollers swiftly and lowers the chance of paint splatters elsewhere in the home.
It also provides a secure storage area for paints, ladders, and other painting supplies, ensuring they are easily available when necessary.
Conclusion
A fresh coat of paint can make your home look brand new! And, by taking the time to prepare, you’ll not only make the job easier but also achieve more professional-looking results – if you intend to DIY. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and transform your home with the power of paint!