For some strange reason, pets don’t seem to have the same concern for our homes that we do. Aside from the messes they often make on our floors, their paws, claws, beaks and fur can wreak havoc on painted surfaces like doors, walls and trim. What can you do about it? First, let’s talk about how to repair interior paint and doors, and then we will talk about preventing pet damage to paint.
Pets tend to damage paint in two main ways. One is by soiling the surface, and the other is by damaging the substrate. We’ll take a look at the simpler fix first.
Stains, Smears and Smudges: Surface Soiling from Pets
Sometimes it’s the dog, shaking rainwater and mud off his fur and splattering the walls before you can stop him. Or maybe it’s the cat, slinking through the doorway so many times each day, it leaves a discolored spot. In fact, just about any pet can find a way to leave a mess on the surface of your interior painted walls and trim. Fortunately, it can often be washed off, and if not, a little paint works wonders!
Most interior house paint is washable. Walls are typically painted with satin or eggshell paint, which can hold up against gentle washing. Use a soft sponge and warm, soapy water, and carefully wipe away the dirt. Test it in an inconspicuous area first, since washing can sometimes cause a subtle change in the color or sheen. Generally, though, you can wash off the surface dirt and restore the prior look without much trouble.
Doors and trim are even better news because they are usually painted with semi-gloss paint, which is highly resilient against staining and scrubbing. Again, using that soft sponge and soapy, warm water, wash away the soiling and renew that former glory!
If the washing does not leave your walls looking as good as new, it usually does not take much paint to fix the problem. Repainting a door, a wall, or a piece of trim is a quick project, and your home will be looking fantastic again!
Scratches and Scrapes: Deeper Damage from Pets
Has your cat ever tried to climb the walls? Or maybe your dog uses her claws on the door day after day when asking to come inside. It could be a parrot chewing on the window trim, or a puppy gnawing the baseboards. Whatever it is, you know you can’t just paint over the spot and expect to erase the damage, so what do you do?
For damage to a door, use wood filler to level out the surface and then sand it smooth. The same thing can be done with spackle if the damage is on drywall. In the case of damaged trim, minor problems can be filled the same way, but deeper damage will probably require replacing the affected piece. If your painting company offers carpentry services, this should not be a problem.
After filling the gouges and grooves, it is time to repaint the area. Begin with primer on the repaired areas, so that the new paint will adhere properly. Next, repaint the surface, and you are back in business!
An Ounce of Prevention: Protecting Your Paint
Once your damaged paint is repaired, you obviously want to prevent it from occurring again! Here are some ideas to help:
- Paint interior walls with two coats of high-quality satin house paint, and all trim and doors with semi-gloss. This gives you the best resistance to staining and the most washability.
- Provide a scratching post for your cat and chew toys for your puppy.
- Install a metal kick plate on the exterior door to prevent scratching damage.
- Use a pet door so that your dog or cat can go in and out without needing to scratch.
- Move bird cages away from window and door trim.
Cherry Hill Painting
Whether your pet damage is minor or extensive, Cherry Hill Painting is ready to help you erase it from view! We can repair scratched and gouged surfaces and perform any necessary repainting so that your home looks better than ever.
For over 50 years, Cherry Hill Painting has been serving the residents of New Jersey and Philadelphia with superior customer service and exceptional painting. We offer interior painting, exterior painting, kitchen cabinet refinishing, wallpaper removal, and more. For repairing pet damage, our “Painter for a Day” program is a great option. Call our office to schedule a free estimate for your interior house painting today!