MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Location: file:///C:/507BB273/PaintingTips.htm Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Time to Repaint Your Home

Time to Repaint = Your Home?

Many of the homes in = our neighborhood are over six years old, and it may be time to consider repaint= ing the exterior.  How can you tel= l when your exterior walls need to be painted?&nb= sp; Here are some simple tests: 1) Take your hand and wipe down a sectio= n of your exterior wall (esp. on the southern exposure wall) and see if you have= any white, chalky substance on your hand. 2) Do you see mold on your walls, sma= ll hairline cracks, or large foundation settling cracks? 3) Did you touch up a section of your wall/door/trim and the house color has faded?  Answer: It is TIME to REPAINT your home…your valuable possession.

  Here are some helpful hints so you= r home repainting project will last longer, go faster, save you money.  In Florida, paint takes a beating by the sun’s UV rays so that 15-year paints really only lasts about 6-8 year= s.

Selection of Color= s:

  1. Drive around our neighbor= hood to see what colors go well together. Remember to look at garage doors = and how they are painted.  Th= e ARB recommends the garage doors be painted the lighter of the trim or wall color.
  2. Submit an ARB application! - Print out the applicat= ion from EFHOA’s website (www.emeraldforesthoa.com).  Submit your color scheme (at = least a 2”x2” square). Include all paint colors for approval: fr= ont door, garage doors, trim, and main house body.  You must wait until yo= u get your written approval letter from Vista Management before painting, otherwise you risk having your choice rejected, and you would be responsible for repainting your house.

 

= Preparing your house for painting:  (Don’t paint on a rainy = day)

 

  1. Cut back or tie back any = bushes and branches from your home (you should always have a 1 foot clearance= so the walls don’t build up mold).=   This will allow easier painting for you or your painter. Remove hoses, tape up light fixtures and outlets and cover anything you do not want to paint (furniture, plants, sidewalk, etc.)  Remove window screens, unless= you tape the entire window.
  2. Dig down 3-4 inches into = the dirt/soil up against your exterior wall so the paint can be applied be= low the soil line.  This will= better protect the stucco and wall.
  3. Spray the entire house (starting from the top) with a pressure washer (rent it) using a mild solution of bleach (remember to cover your eyes).  This will remove all/most of = the mold, lose paint, dirt, and bugs and show you where you have cracks in= the stucco.
  4. Allow the walls to dry af= ter pressure washing them before applying a “paint-able” exter= ior caulk into the hairline cracks.  Make sure to work the caulk into the cracks and wipe off the excess. If you have cracks wider than that use stucco mix.  Check all windows and doors (i= nside and out) where you may need to re-caulk.
  5. Remember to shut off your sprinkler system for a few days while painting.
  6. If your house needs 2 coa= ts you can save by making the first coat a primer (primer can be tinted to ma= tch the paint color).

 

What kind of exterior house paint to buy? Selection of Materials

 

Paint comes in many grades. Quality paint and paint form= ulated for Florida’s heat and sun will last longer. To figure paint coverage you’ll need y= our square footage, then check the can for their coverage recommendations. Buy rollers (with a large nap), brushes, extension poles, eyewear, and have a sturdy ladder (don’t over extend yourself or climb on the roof).=

 

  1. READY to Paint:  Two preferred painting techni= ques (make sure to specify this in your quote if using a painter) Spray onl= y or spray and back roll.  Sta= rt painting from the top down.  Hint: If you covered the windows with paper/plastic it will be easier to clean up. Get the paint off the glass while it is wet…= it is easier.  Allow the hou= se to dry between the 2 coats of paint.
  2. Paint small sections and = do not over extend yourself on the ladder. Paint below the dirt line but don’t get the dirt onto the roller/brush.
  3. Paint the main body first= and then paint the trim and doors.
  4. Clean Up:  Clean the brushes and rollers= .  Pour extra paint into a small= er “clean” paint can to use as touch up. Keep a record of your colors.
  5. Clean off windows, doors, outlets, and hose bibs.

 

Cos= ts:

You= r total painting project cost depends on what you are willing to do vs. a painter, = the size of your home, prepping the walls and quality of paint. If you are goin= g to use a painter, know what they are going to do before you sign a contract.

 

We = hope this helps and takes the fear out of painting your home.<= /p>