3 Exterior Home-Painting Mistakes To Avoid

Painting your home can give it a fresh new look and add lots of curb appeal in the process. And when you consider the relatively low cost of materials, painting your home is one of the most cost-effective and eye-catching home improvements you can make. While exterior house painting is something you may be able to do yourself, hiring a professional painter will always be your best bet. A professional will have the tools and experience needed to get the job done safely, quickly, and correctly.

Before you embark on an exterior home painting project, however, there are some common mistakes you'll want to avoid.

Foregoing the Right Preparation

Preparing your home for a paint job is important if you want the job to last for many years without chipping or wearing. Having your home thoroughly power washed before the paint job will help to remove old, peeling paint and debris that could affect the adhesion of the new paint and primer. This is something that you can have done by a power washing company, though most professional painters can offer this as part of their services as well.

Bypassing HOA Approval

Do you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association? If so, then keep in mind you may need to get approval from your HOA's governing board before you can paint. Some HOAs may even have a specific color palette from which you need to choose. Foregoing HOA approval prior to painting your home could result in wasted money if you need to repaint your home to meet your neighborhood's by-laws.

Ignoring Exterior Siding Damage

Keep in mind that paint can only go so far when it comes to protecting your exterior siding. The right exterior paint will provide a protective barrier between your siding material and the elements, but if there is damage to your siding (such as cracks, missing siding pieces, or rotting trim), you should have this addressed before your paint job is done. Otherwise, you could end up facing costly siding repair or replacement down the road, or even water damage to your home's framing.

A fresh coat of paint on your home's exterior can really transform its entire look and feel, especially when you choose the right color scheme. As you prepare to have your home painted, however, be sure to avoid these common mistakes so you don't waste your time or money in the process.


Share