Last Updated on February 21, 2024 by Nasir Hanif
Having your house painted professionally can be quite an expensive job, which is why lots of people choose to do it themselves – especially when you consider how much cheaper it can be to buy the materials yourself and do it up in your own time! However, just because you are choosing to save money doesn’t mean that you should skimp on the aftercare of your newly-painted walls. If you want your colour to last as long as possible, here are some top luxurious home kind tips for maintaining your house colour.
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Schedule regular maintenance visits
It’s a good idea to get in touch with a professional house painter in Kitchener once every two years or so to schedule a cleaning and evaluation visit. A reliable house painter will give you an honest appraisal of how well your colour is holding up and can recommend appropriate colour maintenance practices based on what he or she finds. Get routine maintenance visits and you won’t need to repaint before it’s really necessary.
Clean the gutters regularly
Gutters can get extremely dirty, especially in winter. If you don’t clean out gutters regularly, you could be inviting water to leak inside and cause damage. Cleaning gutters out twice a year, in spring and fall, will keep them healthy.
Remove all mildew from deck, siding and wood
Mildew is a common problem on outdoor wood and deck surfaces, especially in areas where heavy rains are common. To prevent mildew from developing on these surfaces, wash them down with a garden hose after every major rainfall. For tougher stains, sprinkle an all-purpose cleaner directly onto them and scrub gently with a clean cloth or soft brush.
Buy quality products
It’s an easy way to ensure that you get a long-lasting colour and will save you money in the long run. Low-quality products can cause staining, fading and flaking—which is probably not what you want from a fresh paint job.
Use quality paintbrushes and rollers
If you’re using a paintbrush, make sure it’s not too big. If you’re using a roller, select one with a low nap so that you don’t transfer too much paint from surface to surface (which is how colour can become mottled). You should also aim to clean up any leftover paint and solvents at each step of the process. By removing excess paint in between coats, you’ll get better results when you apply more layers.
Don’t skimp on weather stripping
Drafty windows and doors are a major cause of energy loss in winter, which can lead to higher energy bills. Draft stoppers help keep cool air from escaping and warm air from entering when your windows and doors are closed, which means you’ll pay less to heat or cool your home.
Don’t skimp on primer coats
Primer is a great way to prolong your house colour. By applying primer to an existing colour, you’re adding a barrier between your surface and whatever is about to be painted. It’s especially important if you’re painting over another colour, or repainting an old surface—the last thing you want is for that old colour to show through!
Most paints will perform better if applied in cooler weather, so if you want to preserve that lustrous shine and colour, aim to apply them when temperatures are below 35°C (95°F). Humidity is also key. Paints can lose as much as 30 percent of their colour vibrancy when humidity levels exceed 80 per cent. If you’re applying paint to an indoor surface – such as a wall or ceiling – where high humidity levels are unavoidable, use low-vapour paint.
Author Bio
MARWOOD CONSTRUCTION is a high-end residential & commercial construction expert providing specialized general contracting services to clients in Houston, Texas. This licensed general contractor offers design-to-build services solutions for the most challenging new build and renovation needs. To learn more about this author, visit marwoodconstruction.com.
