Peeling paint. Cracked wood. Rough edges. Drafty or leaking windows. What do all of these have in common? They are all annoying and can depreciate the value of your home, yes, but they all can be fixed easily before adding your new coat of paint as well. Here at Textbook Painting, we firmly believe that a new paint job is only as good as the prep work done before it, and we preface every job with a thorough inspection of the house in order to remedy all of the trouble spots mentioned above.
Beginning with peeling paint, we recognize that there is no merit in just going through and painting over the existing problem. Paint bonds to whatever it comes into contact with, so if it bonds to existing peeling paint, the problem will resurface in just a few short years. The correct way to remedy this is to scrape any and all peeling paint off of the bare wood. This is done by hand in order to assure that all of the paint is being removed. After removal, it is only natural that there are ridges formed between the existing paint and the wood. In order to create a more smooth finished product, we then sand all rough edges by hand to ensure a more visually pleasing final product.
Another problem that must be addressed during prep is that of cracked wood. Without treatment, these cracks can begin to rot with exposure to moisture, and can compromise the integrity of your exterior. Luckily, the fix is very simple. A simple bead of caulk prior to painting can prevent the problems associated with cracked wood. Further, it makes the finished product look better, because paint cannot effectively fill cracks. By filling them, we assure a higher quality product. The same is done to windows. If a crack is observed during prep, a bead of caulk is placed to prevent further damage.
One thing to consider with prep work is that of a house containing lead paint. Many houses built prior to 1978 were painted with lead-based paint, which has been proven to lead to health risks. To prevent your yard from becoming contaminated with lead, extra precaution must be taken, and all paint chips must be disposed of properly and lawfully.
The decision to repaint your home is a big one, both emotionally and financially. You want a product that not only reflects your personality, but that stands the test of time and effectively protects your home as well. When making this decision, be sure to choose a company that values the importance of prep work as much as the painting itself. Textbook Painting understands this importance, and that is why we include prep work in all of our prices. It may be a little more expensive in the short term, but is well worth the extra investment in the long run
