Tips for Applying Exterior House Paint

Painting the outside of your home is a big task, but it is a project that will pay off when you choose the right color and pick the best paint for the job. After you’ve selected a color, follow these helpful tips to paint the exterior of your home.

Plan for the Weather

Check the weather and pick a good day to start your painting project. Exterior house painting is best done on a moderately warm and overcast day. It’s not a good idea to start painting outside in the middle of summer, winter, or during rainy seasons. The paint may not adhere as well and you won’t get the best results from your work.

Choose Quality Paint for the Exterior of a Home

If you’re hoping to keep costs down, you may consider choosing a less expensive paint option, but it’s important to use a high-quality product for the exterior of your home. Talk to the paint specialist at your local home improvement store. He or she can offer advice on the best product for your job. Quality paint is more expensive, but you’ll get the best results when you purchase the best paint and the best tools.

Clean the Siding

Paint will not adhere well to dirty and uneven surfaces. Thoroughly clean the siding and trim before applying paint. A pressure washer can make quick work of this step. Remove all mud, dirt, mildew, and algae. Allow it to dry completely before applying paint. If the old paint is peeling away, use a scraper to remove it for the best results. Afterward, sand the siding to prepare it for paint application.

Use Exterior Primer Before You Paint Your Home

After preparing your house for paint, start with a coat of primer before applying your color. Some paint manufacturers offer exterior paint and primer in one product to make this task easier. Primer gives you a solid base and covers stains. It helps the paint go on smoothly and better adhere to the siding.

Paint Top to Bottom

For the best results, start working at the top and make your way to the bottom. Painting this way gives you more control over the paint application and can help you see streaks so you can touch up areas as you go. Apply the paint with the best quality rollers and brushes.

Painting a house is a big job. When tackling this endeavor on your own, keep these tips in mind. If the task seems too big, you can hire a professional crew to complete the work. They’re experienced and have the tools to do a great job that will add value to your home.

Premier Home Inspection Services offers home inspection services in Northern New Jersey. Contact us to request an appointment for our services.

Some home maintenance tasks help your home look more attractive and your home’s condition won’t suffer if you forget to do them. Others are directly related to the functionality of the home and your family’s health and safety. Here are 5 home maintenance chores you shouldn’t ignore. Schedule these tasks on your calendar to complete regularly.

 

Clean the Gutters

Gutter cleaning is one of the most important home maintenance tasks. Clogged gutters can cause water damage to many areas of the house. Backlogged rainwater in the gutters can seep under shingles and saturate roofing boards. Water that spills out of the gutters and collects by the foundation can damage the siding and seep into the basement or crawlspace. Clean the gutters at least twice a year. If you have a wooded lot, install gutter guards to help keep debris out of your gutters.

Change the HVAC Filter

The air filter in the HVAC system removes particulates from conditioned air before sending it through the air ducts and into the home. When the air filter is full of dust and debris, it can no longer filter air properly.

Your HVAC system will work harder to push air through a dirty filter, lowering its efficiency. It will also send dirty air back into the home instead of capturing pollutants. Change your HVAC filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Some manufacturers recommend every 30 days and some recommend only twice a year. If someone in your home has allergies, invest in HEPA filters for the best filtration.

Home Maintenance Chores for the Driveway

Sealing the driveway helps preserve its surface and protect it from holes and cracks. Since this maintenance doesn’t need to be completed very often, it’s easy to forget about sealing your driveway.  Experts recommend applying a sealant coat about once every three years. Prep the driveway first by pressure washing it before sealing it.

Home Maintenance Chores for the Deck

The most common decking material is pressure-treated wood. While this type of wood is treated to protect it from insect infestations, it still needs to be maintained year after year. Snow and rain take a toll on the deck which ages the surface and loosens the connections. A pressure-treated deck should be sanded, stained, and sealed every year. Remove and replace nails and screws that are protruding and secure any loose railings.

Grease the Garage Door

Even an automatic garage door needs its movable parts lubricated to keep it opening and closing smoothly. Buy a product specifically made for greasing a garage door and apply it to the hinges and rollers once per year.

Premier Home Inspection Services provides home inspections to Northern New Jersey. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

As the New Year approaches, it’s a perfect time to think about how you can add value to your home. In this article, we’ve compiled some projects proven to increase your home’s value, some of which can be done inside over the colder winter months. Read on for just a few ideas on how to improve your property.

Replace the Front Door to Add Value to Your Home

Is your home older and the front door has seen better days? Consider investing in a new insulated steel front door. A new front door will not only improve your home’s energy efficiency all year long, but it will also enhance security. Paint the new door a bold color that complements your home’s style and be prepared for a great transformation of your entryway.

Add Insulation

Believe it or not, adding insulation provides a great return on investment. Over the years, insulation deteriorates and makes it difficult for your home to maintain a comfortable temperature. Simply adding insulation to your attic will help your family stay warmer in cold weather and cooler during the summer months.

While you’re at it, seal up any drafts around doors and windows with caulk or weatherstripping. These winterizing tasks will not just add value to your home, you’ll also see lower utility bills and your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard to keep your family comfortable.

Garage Door Replacement

While garage doors are not the first thing on people’s minds, they are an important access point to your home and also affect your curb appeal. If you have an old garage door, replace it with a newer model to add value to your home. A new garage door will look great from the curb, be more secure, and will better insulate your garage.

Paint the Interior to Add Value to Your Home

Interior painting is a great project for the winter months. A new coat of paint will completely freshen up your home and give a room a whole new look. If you can’t remember the last time you painted, it’s likely time to refresh your space. Choose light-colored neutrals to update and open up a room. Instead of using paint for color, opt for vibrant accent colors in your pillows, rugs, and other decor. The neutral palette will make your home feel clean, modern, and fresh.

Work on Your Curb Appeal

Now is a good time to start planning for your outdoor curb appeal projects once the weather warms up. Along with replacing the front door and garage door, also consider other ways you can make your home more appealing. Give your lawn furniture a fresh coat of paint, pressure wash the siding, walkways, and deck, and add an outdoor rug, comfortable seating, and seasonal plants to add value to your home.

Premier Home Inspection Services provides home inspections to Northern New Jersey. Contact us to schedule our services.

Your Home Could Be More Environmentally-Friendly

If your home is more than 10 years old, there are likely some things you can do to make it more environmentally-friendly. Using technology and changing your habits will increase your home’s efficiency and reduce your utility bills.  Some of the ways to make your home more efficient are simple while others take some work and financial investment.

Make Your Home More Efficient with a Programmable Thermostat

One of the easiest ways to make your home more efficient is by installing a programmable thermostat. A new thermostat can be set to automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on your schedule. Programming the thermostat reduces energy usage and make your home more energy-efficient.

Add Some Insulation to Improve Efficiency

Much of a home’s heat loss is through the attic. Adding more insulation will help cut down on energy usage because climate-controlled air will stay inside your home. Installing insulation in the attic can be done by a homeowner with proper protective gear or you can hire a professional.

If you ever remodel any rooms in your home, check the insulation in your walls. Older homes are notorious for having no insulation between the studs. Adding some will improve your use of energy.

Air-Dry Your Clothes

This might not be possible during all seasons, but air-drying your clothes saves energy. Drying your clothes on an old-fashioned clothesline during the warmer months leaves them smelling fresh. It will also help your home stay cooler and will reduce your electric bill.

Replace Your Light Bulbs

In the past few years, advancements in lighting technology have made efficient bulbs less expensive. CFL and LED light bulbs use a fraction of the energy that older incandescent bulbs do. While the bulbs cost more, they also last much longer and you’ll see your energy bill go down.

Change Your HVAC Filter to Make Your Home More Efficient

Changing out the filter for your HVAC system is another easy way to make your home more efficient. These filters trap particles that would otherwise circulate throughout your home. Over time, the particles clog the filter and block the airflow of your system.

Regularly changing the filter helps the system to run more efficiently and you’ll save money and energy at the same time. Refer to your owner’s manual to find out how often to change the filter.

There are many ways to make your home more energy-efficient. These are just a few of the easiest. Follow these tips to reduce your environmental impact and help you save money over time.

Premier Home Inspection Services offers home inspection services in Northern New Jersey. Contact us to request an appointment for our services