Exterior painting can significantly boost your home’s curb appeal, adding value and a fresh, polished look to your property. However, prepping your home for a professional painters Windsor can be overwhelming, especially if you’re short on time. Last-minute preparations require efficiency and a clear understanding of what needs to be done before the painting team arrives. In this blog, we’ll walk you through essential steps for last-minute exterior painting prep so that the your home gets the flawless finish it deserves.
Why Proper Preparation Matters
Before diving into specific steps, let’s understand why preparation is so important. Even though professional residential exterior painters will handle the actual painting, prepping your property is crucial for several reasons:
Reduces Risk
Proper preparation reduces the risk of accidents on your property, from tripping over unmoved furniture to distractions from children or pets on your property.
Prevents Delays
Preparing your home helps professional painters get straight to doing what they do best without wasting time navigating crowded areas or finding the power supply.
Improves Final Result
Preparation includes more than just making sure pathways are clear for your paint team, it also requires clear communication with your painters for the best result.
How to Prepare Your Home’s Exterior for New Paint
Let’s break down some of the basic steps you’ll need to complete to get the most out of your professional exterior paint job:
Clear the Area Around Your Home
Before the painting crew arrives, ensure that the space around your house is free of any obstacles. This might seem simple, but it’s one of the most important tasks to complete before the painting begins.
Move Furniture and Decorations
Any outdoor furniture, decorations, or potted plants near the walls should be moved to a safe distance. This gives painters easy access to the exterior walls and prevents your belongings from being damaged by paint splatters.
Trim landscaping
Shrubs, trees, or bushes near the house should be trimmed back. Overgrown greenery can get in the way of the painters and may even end up with paint on them. Ideally, there should be at least a foot of space between the walls and any plants or trees.
Remove vehicles
If your driveway or garage area is close to the house, move vehicles to another location. This will give painters room to set up and prevent any accidental paint drips on your car.
Communicate with Your Painters
One of the most important parts of prepping your property for a last-minute exterior paint job is clear communication with your painting crew. Even if you’ve gotten answers to the crucial questions to ask your residential painter before hiring them, make sure to have a quick conversation with your painters before the job to confirm that everyone is on the same page.
Walk the Property Together
Before the painting begins, do a quick walkthrough of the property with the lead painter. Point out any areas of concern, such as damage that needs to be addressed, or spots that require extra attention during painting. This step ensures that the painters know what to expect and helps prevent any miscommunications later on.
Confirm Expectations for Surface Prep
While you may have done some last-minute surface prep, clarify with your painting team what they will handle. Professional painters often include certain prep tasks, such as caulking gaps or sanding rough spots, in their services.
Discuss Timeline
If you’re on a tight schedule, it’s essential to confirm the timeline with your painters. Understand when they plan to start and finish, and if weather or other factors could cause delays.
Ensure Easy Access to Water and Power
Whether your home needs a full repaint or just a touch-up, professional painters will likely need access to both water and electricity during the job. Providing these essentials ensures they can work efficiently without unnecessary delays.
Turn on Exterior Water Sources
Painters often use water for cleaning brushes, thinning paints, or washing surfaces. Make sure any exterior faucets are functional and accessible.
Provide Extension Cords
Depending on your property, painters may need access to electricity for equipment like pressure washers or paint sprayers. Make sure they have access to outlets and offer extension cords if necessary to avoid delays.
Plan for Pets and Children
Exterior painting involves a lot of movement, equipment, and potentially hazardous materials like paint thinners and ladders. To ensure everyone’s safety, take a few minutes to plan how you’ll keep pets and children out of the way during the project.
Keep Pets Indoors
Pets should be kept inside or at a safe distance from the work area. Not only could they get in the way of painters, but exposure to paint fumes or chemicals can be harmful to animals.
Supervise Children
If you have children, make sure they’re aware of the painting project and instruct them to stay away from the work area. If possible, arrange for them to play indoors or in a different part of the yard to minimize disruptions.
Final Touches Before Painting Day
On the day before or morning of the scheduled paint job, do a final check to make sure everything is in place.
Recheck Repairs
Ensure any patches, pressure washing before you paint, or caulking applied during your inspection have fully dried. This will help prevent any cracks or imperfections from showing through the paint.
Sweep Walkways and Patios
A quick sweep of pathways, porches, or driveways near the painting area can prevent dirt and dust from being stirred up and landing on the fresh paint.
Clear Gutters and Downspouts
If your home’s gutters or downspouts are clogged or overflowing, clean them out before the painters arrive. Leaky or clogged gutters can cause streaks or water damage to fresh paint, especially in rainy conditions.
Professional Painters You Can Trust – Mike Chavez Painting
Ready to transform your home’s exterior with a fresh coat of paint? At Mike Chavez Painting, we specialize in high-quality residential and commercial painting services. Our team of professional painters in Windsor is ready to tackle your exterior project with the perfect paint finish for long-lasting results. Contact us today or give us a call at (707) 623-5850 for a free consultation and let us help you revamp your home’s curb appeal!