How to Prepare Your Home for Exterior Painting Services

Get your house ready before your exterior painting contractor arrives!

Ah, a fresh coat of paint. It can breathe new life into your home’s exterior. Everything will look more vibrant and welcoming when all is said and done—assuming you go about it the right way, of course. It’s something best left to the exterior painting services of professionals like Albaugh & Sons, but there’s plenty you can do to prepare—from inspections and cleaning to clearing the space of clutter! In this blog, we’ll go over the steps you can take to get your home ready for its big new look. 

Inspect the Exterior

There’s hopefully plenty of time before the exterior painting contractor shows up. Before any cleaning agents or paint rollers touch your house, you’ll want to conduct an inspection. While this part of the exterior house painting process may seem “boring” in comparison to the main event, it’s vital for determining the condition of your home’s exterior. Be on the lookout for:

• Cracks in your trim or siding
• Water damage and wood rot
• Deteriorating paint (peeling or blistering)
• Gaps around doors and windows, as well as loose caulking

If you do come across any of these issues, it’s imperative that you address them before the project begins. Doing so will help you ensure your home gets a smooth, durable finish that you can be proud of. Skip this step and you could be dealing with costly problems down the line.

Clean All Surfaces

You’ll end up regretting any corner-cutting you may have done in the future. That’s why no corners should be cut—especially surface cleaning. Failing to remove dirt, grime, and other residue before applying a new coat of paint can prevent that paint from sticking properly. If the debris you paint over is substantial enough, it could remain visible after the paint has dried.

We recommend you start by removing loose or flaking old paint with a scraper. Once that’s done, use a cleaning solution to scrub mold and mildew from the surface. And if that doesn’t quite get the job done, it’s time to get out the power washer to eliminate that dirt, mildew, and debris once and for all.

Trim Your Landscaping

When we’re prepping for an interior paint job, we advise homeowners to move everything away from the walls that are about to be painted. The same goes for exterior painting services, as well! Anything that can be moved away from the house should be, but why not take it one step further? We know you can’t just move a bush or tree off to the side, but why not give your landscaping a trim?

• Trim bushes and shrubs to allow at least 12 inches of clearance from the house.
• Cut your grass around the foundation of the home.
• Low-hanging branches? Tie them back, if possible!

When you create a workspace clear of clutter, the painting crew can focus on getting it done safely!

Remove or Cover Outdoor Fixtures

Remaining in the spirit of clearing the workspace, there’s even more you can do to help exterior painting services move along smoothly—small things that many homeowners won’t think to address. Cover the big items and take down fixtures to give our painters full access.

• Take down any light fixtures, house numbers, hanging planters, or flags that adorn your home.
• Cover any exterior decor that isn’t able to be moved—grills, HVAC units, etc.
• Move any outdoor furniture out of the work area.

Close Windows and Cover Openings

During the cleaning and painting process, debris both small and large has a tendency to infiltrate every nearby opening—so don’t let it! In order to keep your home’s interior clean, make sure all windows and exterior doors are shut tight. To seal vents and pet doors, secure them with painter’s tape. Additionally, consider covering glass panes and screens that are inside the work area to avoid paint overspray getting onto them.

Talk to Your Neighbors

We don’t mean just chat them up—though that’s always nice, as well! No, we just want you to make sure the fine folks you share a property line with are aware of your upcoming exterior painting services as a courtesy. Let them know the project timeline and that there may be some temporary noises and paint smells. If they don’t already have your contact information, be sure to share it with them so they can get in touch with you should any issues arise.

Communication and courtesy go a long way towards healthy neighborly relationships during a project like this!

Exterior House Painting Done Right

Prepping your exterior for a much-needed paint job doesn’t require too much work, but it can make all the difference! By performing an inspection, cleaning the surface, removing clutter, and covering up openings to the interior of your home, you’re setting the stage for flawless exterior painting services.

Want to hire the best in the business for your house painting? Get in touch with Albaugh & Sons today!