Most
of us are no strangers to the costly repairs that directly parallel
owning a home. If you are one of the select few that has not had to deal
with one of these less than fun tasks, get ready because you will, and
most likely sooner than later. The main reason for repairs being more
frequent and costly is a lack of preventative actions which can save you
thousands when it comes to home repairs.
Exterior paint is one of the
most important aspects of your home. Think of it as clothing for your
house, protecting the vital areas from the damaging elements. When paint
fails, it leaves wood open to a barrage of dangers. Which, when not
treated can quickly destroy your home, and cost you tens of thousands of
dollars in damage if not more. A good quality paint protects wood from
water, sun and mold damage, the three main causes of wood failure.
The key to preventing rotting, molding and cracking wood is to make
sure your home is constantly “clothed”. Every year homeowners should do
a thorough inspection of all the painted areas of their home. Just as
with many serious illnesses, detection is also the most important part
of failing paint. When quickly identified, proper prep work, priming and
painting can prevent the need to replace the wood in your house.
Once you have identified any of these problems, it’s time for a fresh
coat of paint. Many contractors can easily be found in your area who can
provide you with quality paint jobs, some with prices more affordable
than others. The internet is a great way to find various painters in
your area, most of which provide free estimates for any exterior paint
work. All Around the Home is website dedicated to providing homeowners
with quality contractors in their area.
The Painting Process When choosing the right
painting
contractor for the job be sure to ask many questions.
- The most important one is the kind of prep work that will be
done before the actual paint is applied. All surfaces that will be
painted should be pressure washed a couple days in advance of the
paint work. This thoroughly cleans those areas, and also helps to
remove mildew and chipped/failing paint.
- Be sure the wood is given enough time to dry completely before
primer and paint is applied. All spots where paint is cracked,
chipped, or alligatoring should be carefully scraped and sanded.
- An initial coat of primer should be applied to all surfaces
being painted to ensure the paint will adhere correctly. Contrary to
popular notion, primer does not have to be white or gray; it can be
tinted at the paint store to match the final paint color you have
chosen.
- Also be sure to ask about the quality and warranty of the paint
your contractor will use, as well as if they are insured and bonded.
Generally, painting an entire house should take no longer than a week
at most, and doing trim work 1-2 days. A good contractor will make sure
the work site is clean, with supplies and materials stored away after
each day of work. Also, be sure your contractor will take precautionary
measures to make sure your landscaping, driveway, walkway, etc. do not
receive the same paint job your house gets. Trust me when I say, a few
drop cloths can go a long way.
Your home will now be ready to face anything Mother Nature can throw
its way, well anything short of a tornado at least. Keeping a fresh coat
of paint on your house is a wise investment. Spending the money to
protect the precious wood that lies beneath is a decision you cannot
afford to live without. Wood damage is an ugly and costly repair that
you do not want to add to your list of home improvement projects. Be
smart, save yourself money in the long run, keep your house protected
and not to mention looking great!
