Our schedule at Image Painting will soon be full of exterior paint projects, now that the weather is finally warming in the D.C. area. We know we’ll be working hard on old homes that line the city streets, as well as suburban neighborhoods where a new coat of paint is just what the homeowner ordered. This is a beautiful time of year here, and I don’t think I’m alone in saying that I look forward to kicking the soccer ball with my kids and grilling out in the backyard with our friends. As you prepare for all that fun stuff, make sure your house is ready too. Here are six of our favorite springtime tips.
1. Consider a fresh coat of paint to liven up your home’s exterior. If you HOA allows for it, consider an unexpected or classic pop of color for your front door too. It’s a great way to say, “welcome” and give your house a personality all its own. Did you know you can paint vinyl siding too, and also brick?
2. Look for rotting wood, chipping paint or cracked caulk. We see a lot of rotten wood in this area. One of your best defenses to springtime rain is keeping all wooden areas of your home as well-covered as possible. Fresh paint and caulk is absolutely necessary to prevent wood rot. In the event your home already has some rotting wood, we can replace those areas with new wood, or in some cases, a wood alternative.
3. Select a paint color that reflects the sunlight instead of absorbs it. This may aid in keeping your home cooler during the warmer months of the year. Think about bright colors and pastels instead of blacks, browns and navy blue.
4. What’s blooming? If you have perennials in your yard that will bloom over spring and summer, you might consider the overall curb appeal when selecting your exterior paint colors. Consider a neutral or complimentary color.
5. Make sure your gutters are clean and clear of debris. You will need those to be in good working order when the spring rainy season hits. We cannot do this for you, but we’ll be happy to let you know if they’re full of leaves when we’re up there painting.
6. Get your landscape ready for the season with grass seed, fertilizer and new plantings. Again, this is not something our team can do, but a pretty yard does make your new clean exterior look that much better.