A Little Paint Goes a Long Way!
Painting your home may seem like a daunting job, but the rewards of a fresh coat of paint go a long way. Keeping up on the condition of your interior and exterior walls guarantees not only pleasant surroundings, but also less to worry about in the event of a sudden move.
No one says you have to repaint your whole house every year but it may be wise to consider refreshing one or two rooms each year on a rotational basis. This way, once you’ve finished the last room, it will be time to begin the cycle again. Or just maybe it could be time to move and start out fresh!
Either way, there’s a vast array of paint colors and techniques available at your local builder’s retailer or hardware store. In the meantime, here are some helpful tips to get you started.
Before You Start
Take down any wall hangings and remove the hangers. Be sure to fill the resulting hole with a little putty. Let the putty dry completely. Remove door stops and electrical outlet covers and switch plates, as well.
Wash walls thoroughly with a household cleaner and water. Be sure to let walls dry completely before starting to paint.
Cover any area that you don’t want painted or splattered. Use a drop cloth to cover floors and furniture you can’t move. Mask off walls and woodwork that aren’t to be painted with painter’s masking tape.
Always get the right type of brush for the paint you are using. Nylon brushes are best for latex and water-based paints.
You will need several sized brushes. Two inch brushes are good for painting trim, while a 1-inch brush is great for tighter spots. Four inch brushes are good if you are painting a small room where a roller is cumbersome.
Pads work well on smooth surfaces and rollers are best for flat surfaces. Rollers and pads will spread paint much faster than brushes. Always use a roller for larger areas.
Time to Paint
Start with your ceilings first. Don’t worry about painting over the edges because when you paint the walls, you’ll cut the corners in.
You’ll want to paint in a sequence from the top to the bottom. Start by painting the corners, next paint the walls from floor to ceiling, and then paint the doors and woodwork, and finally the baseboards.
You will need to wait at least three hours between coats of latex paint and 24 hours between coats of other types of paint. Be sure to check the instructions on the paint can as drying times may vary by manufacturer.
Clean Up
If you are using latex paint, immediately clean the brushes with warm soapy water. Rinse with clean water and hang brush up to dry.
If you are using other types of paint, soak brushes in paint thinner to remove excess paint and then rinse with clean water and hang to dry.
To clean rollers, scrape excess paint from the roller, and follow the same directions for brushes.
If you need anything, or you have friends or family that have real estate needs, feel free to call or email us anytime.