Did you know painting your house – wooden or concrete – in regular intervals, strengthens its outer surfaces? An adequately painted house is a delight to watch. Preparations before painting are significant as the procedure itself. These include treating and removing mildew, removing old paints and the like. Okay let’s tell you few points to think about you need to have in mind before you plan to repaint your house.

Mildew can be removed by using the mixture of one part bleach to four parts water mixed with a little detergent or trisodium phosphate (TSP) in a pump-up sprayer. Rinse the mixture off after sometime to easily kill or remove the fungal growth.  Also, get rid of the old paint patches and dirt to make the surface ready. Peel of the small bumps and replace any deteriorated wooden parts. You can either use paint scrapper, putty knife or wire brush to do the same. Go for rotary sanders for a quick removal of loose paint.

You may not remove all of the previous paint but the loosely attached film. It is advised to wear a mask while scrapping or sanding the old paints, particularly if the scrapped off paint used is lead-based.

For wooden surfaces, it’s ideal to use a stain-blocking exterior primer on the exposed areas to prevent knots and sap from bleeding through. Gaps and cracks in the walls should be filled with caulks and allowed to dry before painting. Never try to save money by choosing cheaper quality paint. You must remind that labor is more expensive than the cost of materials used. Apply two coats of the high-quality, exterior latex paint. You will be surprised at the adherence of paint on the walls for longer periods.

(Images courtesy of scgustinwdw, m.a.r.c, vintagedept, smath )