Before beginning any interior painting challenge, be mindful of potential risks.
If your residence was constructed before 1978, scraping and sanding to prepare a wall's surface may harm existing lead-based paint and release hazardous lead dust.
Be certain to seek the advice of with a highly rated contractor who is EPA certified to utilize lead-safe work practices if this is applicable to you.
Once you've ruled out the risk of present lead paint, it's time to set the scene for the task.
Appropriate preparation for painting a space lowers the threat of making errors, lessens cleanup time and ensures that the job is both high-quality and long-lasting.
Here's a review of simple measures to eradicate headaches and hassles down the road.
• Clear out and cover up.
Eliminate as many furniture and room fixtures as possible, and use masking or painters' tape around switches and outlets.
If a fixture cannot be removed, it can be easily covered with a tape-secured plastic bag.
Make sure you're covered.
A drop cloth or canvas cover should be positioned on the floor.
• Tackle flaws.
Scrape off peeling or chipped paint before painting a new coat.
Surface defects, like cracks and holes, should be fixed before doing work.
Joint compound can be applied with both a finger or putty knife and scraped until flush with the wall.
Follow directions on the compound's label for drying time.
• Sand it down.
Sanding, either for recently patched holes or for woodwork, is needed to generate a sleek painting surface.
It will aid the paint stick better.
• Clean the area.
Vacuuming, especially if the room is carpeted, can prevent dust and carpet fibers from adhering to walls and floor runners while painting.
A tack cloth or textured electrostatic dry cloth can be used to dust the surfaces of the room, not just the surfaces to be painted.
Any spots of mold, mildew, soap scum or grease should be removed using cleaner or bleach.
Rinse the area and allow it to fully dry before being painted.
• Get what you need.
Arrange all the tools, brushes, and supplies essential to complete the job.
This will reduce the likelihood of tracking paint outside of the area covered with the drop-cloth.
It's important to consult all painting considerations with a highly rated painting professional.
Ask for reviews and licenses from the painter you choose and always make sure your demands are feasible for the service provider you are hiring.