When the time comes for painting ones home, the know-how is important to do it properly. If the homeowner is not going to tackle this job, he or she must rely on a professional painter to help complete the job. A qualified and licensed painting company can provide some services, but a quality minded painting contractor will make available an “Old world” craftsmanship. They will be mindful of the intricate details and will provide a professional quality paint job.
A few good examples would be the caulking around trim areas (especially on the top where it is not visible to the homeowner), and the scraping and priming of bare wood should be complete before painting. The other major maintenance area during a paint job is the trenching. The trenching area around each building below grade or siding should be clear for painting areas so that paint can be applied below the dirt and grass.
The most important process in painting is preparation of all painable surfaces. All painted areas should have a pressure washing and should dry thoroughly before any application of paint. If one pressure washes the surface, they remove dirt and debris to provide a clean surface so that the new paint will adhere properly and last longer. During the pressure washing of the building, the painter will notice any mildew-infested areas and will be able to apply a bleaching solution to kill any bacteria. This process will stop any reoccurrence of mildew throughout the new paint.
All loose and peeling paint or cracked stucco should have a patch and prime before any new paint application. Again, a quality minded painter will use a high grade patching material, making sure that the texture matches the existing texture and finish. When removing loose paint, (as aforementioned) all bare wood areas should have a primer. Filling all cracks and holes with high grade putty and spackling or removing rust and loose cracking paint from any metal (gutters, flashing, fencing, etc.) should have a prime with the appropriate product.
When hiring a Painting professional, the contractor needs insurances that the supervisor or owner will be present during the homes transformation. It is a benefit to homeowners to have a supervisor on-the-job to take responsibility and act on all problems that may arise.
One element that can cause future failures is not just the seasonal elements. A poorly applied paint job will cause just as much maintenance as the harsh southern sun. A professional painter will not apply any product until the temperature outside has hit 50 degrees and has been level for at least one hour. A benefit of this is the adherence of the product on a clean dry area. If the temperature is too cold, the ice or moisture will cause a barrier between the surface and the coat of paint. This will create large sheets of paint peeling off in the near future.
Another issue is monitoring the heat outside. Many painters will just “blow and go” as contractors call it. They are in a hurry to get the job done and will apply the paint at any temperature. The problem with this is that the paint will hit a wall in the middle of the day, and the temperature of the wall surface may be 20 degrees higher than the temperature outside. This causes the paint to dry rapidly and affect the way the paint dries causing a variance in color, and reflecting thinner areas on the surface that may cause a paint failure.
The best defense the homeowner has against this is regulating when the painters will be applying the paint. One good method is to follow or lead the sun. This way the surface is cooler and will allow the paint to dry at a more even process. The homeowner can observe this process and see that their paint will last longer. Another benefit that the homeowners will receive is if they notice the professional painter back rolling the paint as well as spraying it on the surface. By back rolling, the paint will push into the surface causing the paint to grip onto the porous building for a stronger adhesion.
With these helpful hints, the homeowners will be investing in a preventative maintenance through proper application of paint becoming alert toward the condition of their home, rather than waiting until peeling and cracking become more prevalent.
Tremblay House of Design has been providing professional Interior Design service since 1992.
For more information or painting tips, call Patrick at 661.645.3592
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