This is what you need to avoid.
Thinking of getting your home repainted or renovating a new place? This guide’s here to tell you about things not to do when painting your home. There’s no better feeling than a shiny new coat of paint to adorn your walls. However, choosing the paints, deciding your theme, and getting to the actual painting process can be daunting.
It’s a mammoth task to paint your entire home on your own. While it looks fun in videos, in reality, it’s a lot of hard work. It’s wise to hire professional painters to come in and do that job for you. It will save you a lot of time and reduce the risks of you making a mistake.
However, it’s still important to know things not to do when painting your home, so that you’re sure that your professional is doing the right job. Here they are:
There isn’t enough paint
It’s vital to estimate the amount of paint required for a job before it starts so that you’re not left hanging halfway. Also, even if you get the right shade, it’s still clearly visible that it’s another paint batch. The typical rule is ordering 1 gallon for every 400 square feet of a wall. The right thing to do would be to call in the expert before your painting job and let them estimate the amount of paint required.
You don’t have the right materials
A quick inventory check is prudent and required before starting the job. Double-check with your professional painter if they have everything they need. You don’t want to forage for supplies in the middle of a job. Also, if the project finishes halfway, leaving some parts to do later, some paint might dry too quickly and cause discoloration. Larger areas don’t require a brush but a roller. In larger areas, brushes cause strokes that remain after the paint dries.
It’s not the right brush
If the paint isn’t being applied properly or going on smoothly, the problem could be the brush. Situations where the paint is water-based latex call for stronger brushes and not one with natural bristles. It’s important to check that the applicator is right before starting the job. Natural bristles do the right job for paints that are oil-based, whereas nylon brushes are good for water-based latex paint.
Don’t keep the painter’s tape for a long time
Painter’s tape is super important to do a neat and tidy job, however, if it’s kept on for a long time it could actually peel off the paint. Your professional should advise you to remove any tape after an hour of completing the painting job. In case the paint dries fully before you do, peeling is inevitable. To remove peeling tape, use a razor blade along the edge and peel it away gently. If the adhesive is too strong, using a blowdryer will give it additional heat and loosen it.
Don’t paint in extreme conditions
The worst possible thing anyone could do is paint in unfavorable weather conditions. For example, in high humidity levels, the paint drying time will slow down, especially for water-based paints. On the other hand, in colder temperatures, the paint won’t dry evenly, leading to cracks. Professional painters should know to conduct painting with optimal room temperatures.
Professionals will know the right temperature and the paint manufacturer would have given instructions as well. In some situations, especially in Dubai, it might be important to adjust the AC temperature to the right amount before painting.
Don’t forget to prime
In cases where you’re going to paint a lighter color on a darker wall tone, it’s very important to put primer. This will prevent the previous color from bleeding.
You also need to prepare the surface as a whole before painting. Your professionals should know how to clean the walls properly, including sanding, hole-filling, and more.
Remove marks from the sealing
While using a roller, it’s possible that you might make a mark on the ceiling. Once this dries, it will be really difficult to remove. You would need to paint over it. Your professional painter should know how to handle this, and one suggestion is taping the ceiling edges off in a thick border. In case your professional doesn’t have tape on hand (which they should) then a window cleaner should do the trick as soon as any paint touches the ceiling.
Being unprepared for glossy paint
Glossy paint is a preferred option by many because it is very effective against dirt. However, because of this very property, it could be difficult to paint with. It’s important to prep your walls with the right tools to make the paint hold. Sanding or liquid deglossers are good options.
Don’t use water-based paints to paint over a wallpaper
Any professional painter will know that painting over wallpaper isn’t difficult. However, water-based paints just aren’t the correct choice. The primer combined with paint could make your wallpaper glue active and peel off. If you use an oil-based primer, this problem can be avoided.
Don’t start without adjustments
Even before your painter comes to do the job, you need to either move your furniture to another room or place it all in the middle of the room. Cover any other items as you don’t want them to be smeared by paint. Also, your floor could also be susceptible to paint marks and it’s important to protect it. It’s very difficult to remove dried paint from the floor so cover it fully with a drop cloth. Keep your doors, wall plates, and doorknobs protected with sheets.
What should you look for when hiring a professional painting company:
-Budget shouldn’t be your main concern but the quality of work should. Of course, the cost is a consideration, but you should think about the long-term effects. A bad paint job would result in unpleasant results for years. All your money would go to waste as well.
-Ensure that the company is well aware of the job and has done similar ones. Ask them to show you examples of such jobs done in the past, along with before and after pictures.
-Ask them about the tools they are using and if they are all appropriate for the type of job you want them to do. Also ask them to advise on colors and other points, checking how professionally they answer.
-Ensure that they are licensed to do the job and insured against unforeseen events. The last thing on your mind should be having to pay for medical expenses in case of an accident or managing the expert’s every move.
Onto the next step!
We hope this article on things not to do when painting your home has been useful! Remember, while it is possible to do the job on your own, we strongly suggest getting a high-quality professional painting company to do the job for you. Not only will it be quicker, but the finish will be much better.
Octopus offers professional repainting services along with many other maintenance and repair services. For inquiries, please contact our toll-free number, please contact 800 3993.
