Maintenance Tip
Maintenance Tip!
Make painting the exterior of your home a breeze with these simple tips:
1. Clean it up. Use a low-pressure hose to rinse weather stains, webs and other dirt off the exterior of your home. Move outdoor furniture, vehicles or other decor out of the way before you get started.
2. Fix it up. Repair any small holes or cracks in the siding where moisture tends to collect.
3. Scrape it up. Tools required: 1) Paint scraper. 2) Sander. 3) Tenacity. If your house was built before 1978, the paint may contain lead. Go to www.epa.gov/lead for information on how to safely remove lead paint.
4. Prime it up. Treat yourself by splurging on some high-quality wood primer – it will ultimately make your job easier.
5. Talk it up. If you’re outsourcing your paint job, make sure you negotiate the details with your contractor. Once you’ve reached an agreement about liabilities, delegations and pricing, put the conversation in writing for easy reference.
6. Keep it simple. Think two-tone, not Picasso. Stick with colors and designs that won’t seem garish in a couple years.