Most people believe that painting their homes can be an easy task. However, in most cases this isn’t necessarily the truth. The debris left by your existing paint can cause serious damage to the environment and can also lead to health problems and allergies, if left unchecked. Also, it’s very important to know all the steps in how to apply the primer, caulk all joints and select the appropriate type of paint for your home.
Eliminating the Lead
Lead-based paints were in high use back in the day, but once lead was banned, it became clear that the lead used in exterior paints can be extremely damaging and hazardous. As a result, if you own an older home, it’s always best to get rid of the lead first.
To do that, get a kit to test for lead (it’s only about $10 to $40), and should your existing paint test positive, take the following measures:
- Use masks and Tyvek suits while scraping off the paint.
- Lay plastic drop cloths on the ground to collect all the dust and debris.
- Use a HEPA vacuum to clean the entire area as thoroughly as possible.
- Find a hazardous material site in your local area, and dispose of the materials there.
Once you get rid of the lead and scrape all the paint off your home, you can already start the repainting work. It should be fairly easy at this point, although there are a few other challenges to get through as well.
How to Easily Scrape Off All the Loose Painting
Most painters in Highlands Ranch CO experts will tell you that there are a lot of important things you have to do before applying the new paint. First, it’s important to scrape off all the old paint and make sure you get rid of any mildew or pests that would normally thrive under the protection of your new layers of paint.
First, wash the exterior using a mixture of water and a phosphate-free cleanser, then let the clapboards dry, and remove any loose paint.
Once you’re done, it’ll be easy to use a pat sander or some basic, rough sandpaper to sand through any rougher areas. However, if the exterior of your home has wooden planks, make sure not to leave any deep marks on them.
Before Applying the New Painting
After you finish with scraping off the paint and sanding off the rougher spots, step back and inspect what your work has uncovered. In some cases, there will be some minor holes and dings that you have to fix using patching putty. You can also call on an expert carpenter to take a look at any rot-related issues your home might have.
After preparing the siding, apply the primer as quickly as possible, and make sure you use white or tinted primer. Avoid latex primers, unless you are painting directly over bare wood or old latex paint.
Finally, use a polyurethane-based acrylic caulk to complete your caulking work in order to give your home a smoother and more pleasant look. Once you’ve done that, you can start searching for the right type of paint and apply it to make your house look great for a long time to come.