How To Prepare Your Home for Professional Interior Or Exterior Painting: Some Tips

Most reputable painting companies will usually take care of most things, especially all the pre-painting preparation, but there are still things you can do to make the whole process quicker and easier when you have a painting company coming into (or outside of) your home. here are some tips to help the whole process and make it as quick and as unobtrusive as possible.

Prepare For Your Painters

Painting your home's interior and exterior is an exciting way to refresh its appearance and protect it from the elements. However, before you hire a professional painting company like Imperial Painting in Mildura, some preparations are necessary to ensure a smooth and successful painting project. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps to prepare your home for a painting company to work on both the exterior and interior, guaranteeing beautiful and long-lasting results.

Exterior Painting Preparations

Inspection and Repair - The first step in preparing your home for an exterior paint job is to conduct a thorough inspection. Look for any signs of damage, such as cracks, holes, or rotting wood. Ensure that these issues are addressed and repaired before painting. Professional painters at Imperial Painting Mildura can assess your home's condition and make good any damage that they find, but if you do this yourself it could save you time and money. We will be happy to advise when we do a free quotation.
Clean the Exterior - A clean surface is essential for proper adhesion of the paint. Power washing the exterior of your home removes dirt, grime, and loose paint. Make sure to allow ample drying time before the painting crew arrives. Removing any mildew or mould is crucial to prevent future issues. A bleach solution or special mildew-cleaning products can be used for this purpose. A hard-bristled yard broom is also handy to remove loose debris from walls. Again, your painters will do this for you but if you are prepared to put in a little bit of work this will also save some time and money.
Trimming and Landscaping - Trim back any overgrown bushes, trees, or plants that are close to the exterior walls. This will give the painters easy access and prevent paint from being transferred onto foliage. Cover any plants or objects you can't move to protect them from paint splatter. Your painting company can help advise you with this step if needed telling you where access space is required.
Protect Your Fixtures - Remove or cover outdoor fixtures like light fixtures, house numbers, and outdoor outlets. Masking tape and plastic sheeting work well to protect these items from paint overspray. Be thorough, as even a small oversight can result in unnecessary cleanup or damage. Professional painters are used to painting around these things or removing them but for a speedier and better-looking finish, it’s best to remove anything in the way.
Select the Right Paint and Colours - Consult with your painting company to choose the appropriate paint type for your home's exterior. They can help you decide between latex or oil-based paints and select the best finish. Additionally, decide on the colour scheme that suits your home's style and coordinates with your surroundings. Try to consider factors like the neighbourhood, architecture, and personal preferences. This last step means you know you will have nothing to worry about.

Interior Painting Preparations

Clear the Rooms - Before the interior painting begins, remove as much furniture and decor as possible from the room being painted. This will make the job easier for the painters and protect your belongings from paint splatter. What remains should be covered with drop cloths or plastic sheeting. Try to remove any really valuable items like antiques, paintings or fragile objects. Also, clear the room of any toys if you have children.
Repair and Patch - Inspect the walls for any holes, cracks, or imperfections. Repair them with plaster or putty as needed. Sand the patched areas until smooth and clean the dust off the walls. If your walls have significant imperfections, you may want to consider skim coating or texturing, which is a task best left to professionals. Whilst your painting company will absolutely do this as part of the job, if you are prepared to do this part properly it can save you time and money on your quotation.
Protect Flooring - Your painters will do this for you with drop cloths, plastic, or painter's tape to cover and secure the floors. But if you have rugs or specialised carpets or flooring anywhere, another layer of protection will do no harm. This is especially important if you have hardwood, tile, or carpeted floors that you want to pristine.
Remove Fixtures and Hardware - Take down any fixtures or hardware on the walls, such as light switch plates, outlet covers, and curtain rods. These can be easily painted around, but for a more polished finish, it's best to remove them. Keep all the small parts together for easy reinstallation later.
Ventilate the Space - Proper ventilation is crucial when painting indoors, as it helps dissipate fumes and speeds up drying. Open windows and doors if possible, and use fans to improve air circulation. If the room has a ceiling fan, ensure it's turned off to prevent dust from settling on the wet paint.

In Summary

Preparing your home for a professional painting company, like Imperial Painting Mildura, is a vital step to achieving a successful and long-lasting paint job. Whether you're planning to refresh your home's exterior or transform its interior, following these preparation steps will help ensure that the process goes smoothly and that you are left with a beautifully painted space that you can enjoy for years to come.

It goes without saying that the above is all a lot easier if you are planning to sell your home and it’s empty or a secondary property but even if you are living there, the above steps will help you as well as your painting company.

Remember to consult with your chosen painting company for personalised advice on all their painting services and to discuss the specifics of your project, as they will be able to provide guidance and support every step of the way. With careful preparation, you'll be well on your way to achieving the home of your dreams, both inside and out.