Home Exterior Repainting

• You will have to prepare your house exteriors before you begin work with paints. Look for any rough patches if any, peeling off paint or any other damages, make it a point to set right the same. Repairing exterior walls will provide you with a smooth surface for painting. You will also have to protect your outdoor furniture. You can use a drop cloth, but secure the cloth properly so that it is not blown away by the wind.
• In order to protect the window panes when painting, make use of a glass mask, instead of masking tape since the former is easier to remove. You can spray on a thin layer of glass mask and remove it by using a blade once the painting is done with. Removing glass masks with a blade will also help remove drops of any paint fallen on the window.
• You can choose from the two main options when it comes to a paint type, i.e. oil based paint and latex based paint. Latex paints last longer than oil based paints and are also less harmful to the environment. However, if the surface calls for oil based paints, then put on a mask and cover exposed skin while painting.
• You might have to consider a number of factors while selecting paint for your exteriors. For instance if the roof tiles are coloured bright, then you will have to choose a colour that does not clash with the bright colour and vice versa,
• Study your home exteriors carefully and determine whether fixed elements such as windows, outdoor furniture, roof tiles, etc. are made up of 'warm' or 'cool' colours. You can then choose the colour for your walls depending on this judgement.
• You can also look at the neighbouring houses to pick up a colour for your exteriors. For instance if all or most of the houses in the neighbourhood are of a similar colour scheme then there is no harm in sticking to a homogenous colour scheme.
• Another important decision which you might have to take revolves around the level of gloss you wish to use on the selected colour. High gloss paints are shiny and reflective and are the best options for wooden doors and trims. Whereas, semi-gloss paints are suitable to highlight finer details. There are several levels of paint glosses for you to choose from, but it all depends on your requirements.

• You can start your house maintenance by checking the roof for any repair requirements or damage. Search for any penetrations or gaps and seal them as soon as possible.
• Once you are done examining the roof, it is time to take a look at the exterior walls of the chimney. Check for any cracks in the wall and ensure that the top of the chimney is sealed and also has a rain cap.
• Install, if necessary, protective screens around the chimney cap in order to prevent birds from falling into the flue during the cold season.
• Make it a point to secure, cover and clean gutters and clogged drainage. Seal leaks if any and disconnect the long extension that rests on the ground to prevent it from freezing during winters. Ensure that the gutter guards, screens, etc. are all clean to prevent clogging of any kind.
• Check the penetrations around the windows, pipes, doors, vents, etc. for cracks and gaps. If possible seal the gaps with the help of silicon or caulking. Clean the surface of a window, pipe or a door and apply a new sealant.