Painting outdoors is the most difficult aspect for contractors and DIY enthusiasts alike. The unpredictable Irish weather is of course the main reason for this. It is easy to just say paint in the summer when there’s a week of sun but this is not always possible.
Many people are unable to get the time off work or experience sudden damage to their exterior walls and cannot wait months to fix them. Those who are looking to sell their homes also cannot afford to prolong this task as it could lead to depreciation in their property value. No matter when you decide to paint your house exterior you will have to deal with the elements so here are some helpful tips to help maintain your new paint job.
1. Safety – Being prepared is a fundamental aspect to exterior painting. This includes wearing safety gear, especially in the winter, to avoid any accidents. You should wear shoes with a good grip when using a ladder and make sure the ladder itself is sturdy at the bottom. If the conditions are cold make sure to wrap up well. These all help to avoid a shoddy paint job which ensures not having to do it again.
2. Preparation – Living in an unpredictable climate such as ours means you need to be prepared to paint at the drop of a hat. You cannot rely on a specific date to paint as sunny skies can quickly turn to cloudy rainstorms. Always be prepared which means having your equipment in the house and ready to use whenever good weather strikes. You can increase your chances of success by studying the weather forecasts and spotting days where there might be prolonged hours of dry, calm weather.
3. Material – Selecting the right weather conditions on the day you paint is one thing but once you have finished painting you want to ensure that the paintjob is left intact for the foreseeable future. This means selecting the correct materials to use that will withstand even the roughest climates such as paint with resistant coat that will remain protected through rain, frost or wind.
4. Drying – The obvious challenge when it comes to painting outside is allowing the paint to dry for an adequate amount of time without it being compromised by rain or wind. There are fast drying oil-based and acrylic paints which are designed for use in less than favourable climates. For applying the primer you must work fast yourself and ensure there is at least an hour or two of dry weather in order for it to properly set.
Taking appropriate care and caution are the vital elements needed to complete a successful exterior paint job. Always make sure that you are properly set up prior to beginning the task and never be afraid to ask for help of a friend or neighbour. Exterior painting may be the hardest challenge as far as paint jobs go but it is also the most rewarding once finished. Everyone who walks by whether they be known to you or not can see how well your home looks and you can feel proud in knowing you were responsible for that.
