Preparing for Exterior House Painting

November 6th, 2017

1 min read

Preparing for exterior house painting requires a lot of work. Proper prep work will ensure your exterior paint job is beautiful for years to come. After you select your paint colors, you will be ready to start the prep work.

Most of the “real” work starts before the paint is applied. Preparing the house for painting involves many steps, including caulking, washing, and more.

First, wash the exterior of the house. Removing dirt and debris from your home allows the paint to adhere properly. A pressure-washer is the ideal option for getting the house clean. No special detergent is needed, plain water is great for getting the house clean. Cleaning additives may be needed if there is mold present or severe stains. Taking the time to properly clean the surface will make for the best adhesion of the new paint. Now you will need to let the house dry for a day before you move to the next step.

Next, scrape off any flaking paint. This step requires only a basic paint scraper and some time. It is important to wait 24 hours between washing and scraping to ensure you only remove the flaking paint!

Then, caulking should be applied to any of the cracked seams and along vertical junctions. Voids and cracks should be filled with caulking. The caulking should be applied until it overflows, and then you will wipe away the extra with a towel or damp rag. Avoid caulking any area that is left gaps for ventilation.

After all the caulking is applied, you will need to make repairs. Any damaged or rotten areas will need to be replaced or repaired. Clapboards, stairs, and overhangs that have become damaged by weather, the sun, or other factors may also need to be replaced.

Now that all the preparation work has been completed, you can start the painting process, including primer, trim work, and primary painting coats.

Painting is a great investment and can give your home a beautiful facelift. Fresh exterior paint adds significant curb appeal to your home. While DIY projects often turn out beautiful results, exterior painting can be more than most homeowners bargain for! If you’re considering repainting your home, take the time to contact a professional home painter first. They’re skilled pros who have the proper tools for the job and will provide unrivaled results.

Andy Roe

As our founder and CEO, Andy has passed on a legacy of high-quality craftsmanship from his father before him, who was both a firefighter and painter. Since 2000, Andy has grown RoePaint.com to become an industry leader across Idaho and northern Nevada.

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Preparing for Exterior House Painting

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