Between YouTube and HGTV shows, there is a lot of inspiration and instruction out there for do-it-yourself home improvement and repair. Some projects are simple and manageable, while others are really in the “experts-only” category. When it comes to exterior house painting, where should it go on the spectrum? Is it a good idea to paint your home exterior yourself? Or should you hire an exterior painting company?
One consideration is the size of the project. If it’s just a little touch up or trim, that is a very different from a whole-house exterior painting project. In addition, it is important to think about the tools, skills, time and safety factors involved in painting your New Jersey home exterior.
What Tools Do I Need for Exterior Painting?
The first tools that come to mind with exterior house painting, of course, are paint brushes. You will want at least two: one that is wide and square-ended, and the other narrow and angled. Also, you will want a paint roller and several roller covers. An extendable handle for the paint roller is a good idea, though not strictly necessary. Don’t forget the roller tray and disposable tray liners, plus a wire brush for cleaning the brushes afterwards.
Paint is an obvious need, but you are also likely to need a good primer. For protecting nearby surfaces, have plenty of painter’s tape on hand, plus plastic sheeting and some tarps or drop cloths.
Before you even begin painting, you will need to clean the walls well. Use a garden sprayer to apply a mildew-killing detergent, then you can scrub with a bristle-brush and rinse with the garden hose. Alternatively, you can use a power washer, though this is a riskier method due to the high pressure involved.
Another essential tool for most exterior painting is a ladder. The ladder must be tall enough to comfortably reach the highest areas you will work. You may need standoffs (braces that keep the ladder from leaning directly on the house siding) and/or ladder mitts (pads that cover the parts of the ladder that touch the house). If you are painting the exterior of a multi-story house, you may want a step ladder and an extension ladder.
What Are the Essential Skills for Exterior House Painting?
Before you begin painting, you will need to prepare the home exterior. If you use a pressure washer, this requires skill, since the power is enough to cause personal injury and property damage. Also, you may need to repair rotten wood, caulk joints, scrape off failing paint, and apply primer.
Using painter’s tape to protect nearby surfaces might seem simple, but it takes time and precision. If it is performed badly, you will end up with paint where you don’t want it, and you will also have uneven lines wherever two colors meet.
Applying the paint requires a steady hand, patience, and a methodical approach. You need to have a good eye for details. As you work, it takes skill to get just enough paint on the brush or roller. Too much, and you get drips, runs, and splatters. Not enough, and you end up with thin or bare patches.
Setting up and moving ladders might be the trickiest skill to master, but we will address that more in the safety section below.
Only a Matter of Time: How Long Does Exterior Painting Take?
For a professional house painting company, a crew with several workers can usually paint a whole house in 2-5 days. It varies greatly based on the size of the house, how much surface preparation is required, how many coats of paint will be applied, and how complicated or simple the architecture of the house is.
You might imagine that if a 4-man crew can paint the house in three workdays, that is 96 hours of labor. But keep in mind that these are trained and experienced professionals with excellent equipment. Also, some jobs go far quicker with a team, so that what two people can finish in an hour might take 2-3 hours for one person alone.
Safety: What Are the Risks in Exterior House Painting?
There is no doubt that working on ladders is the most dangerous part of painting a home exterior. The higher you get, the more precarious the balance is, and the farther you will fall if something goes wrong. When you are up on a ladder, you also need to have a free hand (sometimes two) for using tools. You also need to move the ladder frequently, or you will end up doing unsafe things like reaching too high or leaning too far to the side.
Here are some ladder safety tips that will keep you from making disastrous mistakes:
- Always place the ladder on firm ground. If the legs of the ladder can sink in or slide away, you could easily end up tipping or falling.
- Always place the ladder on level ground. If all of the ladder’s legs are not in firm and equal contact with the ground, you had better have the hospital on speed-dial!
- Use the right ladder for the situation. Never climb above the 2nd-highest step on a ladder to reach up high; get a taller ladder instead.
- Don’t rush. Think clearly and be methodical. Resign yourself to the fact that you will need to reposition the ladder many times. Don’t try to reduce the number of ladder movements by reaching way out to either side as you work.
Of course, nothing makes up for training and experience, plus working with a team of craftsmen who are looking out for each other’s safety. It is best not to use a ladder by yourself.
Cherry Hill Painting
If you decide to go ahead and try your hand at exterior house painting, that’s wonderful! Be safe, and have fun out there! On the other hand, if you decide to hire a New Jersey painting company for your home, we encourage you to consider Cherry Hill Painting. For over 50 years, we have been providing New Jersey and Philadelphia homeowners with unbeatable quality at an affordable price.
When you hire a professional painting company, you benefit from the training, experience, skills and equipment that they bring to the job. You also save huge amounts of time, plus you avoid putting yourself in any physical danger. Finally, when you work with Cherry Hill Painting, you are sure to end up with lasting, beautiful results!
Besides exterior painting, Cherry Hill also offers interior painting, kitchen cabinet refinishing, wallpaper removal, and more. Contact us today for your free exterior house painting estimate!