Need a DIY Summer Project? How to Paint Your Home’s Exterior in a Weekend or Two

Need a DIY Summer Project? How to Paint Your Home's Exterior in a Weekend or TwoIf you want something hands-on to do this summer, look no further than the outside of your house. There are many reasons to refresh the paint job on your house, including increased protection against weathering, and increased curb appeal. Whatever your reason, read on to learn just what you’ll need, and need to do, to paint your home’s exterior.

What You’ll Need: Materials, Tools, Protection

A DIY paint job is easily doable, and costs only as much as the materials, tools and protection you need. Those materials include the paint itself, the primer and the caulking (to seal cracks and joints). For tools, look for paintbrushes and rollers, sanders, and scrapers. You’ll also need drop cloths (to protect your lawn/garden), masks/respirators (to protect yourself), and a HEPA vacuum/suit if you’re stripping lead-based paint.

What You’ll Do: Step One

Essentially, house-painting boils down to three steps. First, prep the surface. You’ll need to wash the house, scrape loose paint off and sand it smooth to make it an ideal surface to which the new paint can adhere. Note, if your house was built before 1978, test for lead-based paint (which will just require a little more protection while you’re scraping it off). Lead-testing kits can be purchased online.

What You’ll Do: Step Two

Next, patch and prime. Fill in smaller imperfections with something like epoxy. Bigger gaps and joints will need caulking but do this only after the primer is applied. Take this patching time to fix any rot or potential rot problems signaled by improper water drainage. Then prime the whole exterior this seals the wood and makes it even easier for paint to adhere to the walls.

What You’ll Do: Step Three

Finally, the paint. Water-based latex (or acrylic) paint is more flexible, easier to clean and more environmentally friendly than oil-based paints. Read the paint can they contain tips and instructions on using the paint that can come in handy. With DIY, brushes and rollers are better to use than a paint-sprayer, which can be hard to control. Three tips: always start at the top of the house and paint down, it’s always better to do two coats, and stay in the shade while you’re working painting in direct sunlight causes the paint to dry too fast and flake.

What You’ll Do After: How To Maintain An Exterior

Once your exterior has dried, keep it looking fresh with consistent caulking, touch ups for peeling paint and removing mold and mildew whenever you spot it.

For more tips or advice on improving your home’s value in your neighborhood, give me a call – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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3710 N Hopi Lane Pine, AZ 85544

$448,900
2 Beds
2 Baths
1,200 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6680811
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME IN THE PINES! THIS BEAUTIFUL NEWER WELL CONSTRUCTED SINGLE LEVEL HOME IS ALL READY FOR YOUR WEEKEND GET AWAY OR YOUR NEXT PARADISE HOME IN THE PINES, OUT OF THE BIG CITY. ENJOY THE LARGE FAMILY ROOM WITH SOARING VAULTED CEILINGS & COZY FIREPLACE, TONS OF KITCHEN CABINETS, HUGE MASTER BDRM WITH. EN-SUITE BATH ALONG WITH DUAL SINKS & WALK-IN CLOSET. RETRACTABLE BLINDS, CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING, DUAL PANE WINDOWS, LARGE GUEST BEDROOM & GUEST BATH, LOTS OF STORAGE. YOU'LL REALLY ENJOY YOUR TREE HOUSE DECK AS YOU HEAR THE WIND WHISTLING THRU THE TOWERING PINE FOREST & GAZE UP AT THE ENDLESS STARS. OR CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE ROAMING ELK AND DEER. THIS HOME SITS ONE STREET AWAY FROM THE NATIONAL FOREST AND AN AWESOME HIKING TRAIL. PINE, IS AZ'S BEST KEPT SECRET. HURRY! AT THE BASE OF THE BREATHTAKING RIM IN THE QUAINT TOWN OF PINE, FILLED WITH GREAT RESTAURANTS, ANTIQUE SHOPS, LIBRARY, POST OFFICE AND MILES AND MILES OF FOREST AND TRAILS, LAKES AND CREEKS NEARBY. (A BEAUTIFUL SHORT 90 MIN. DRIVE FROM THE VALLEY AND ALMOST 20 DEGREES COOLER AND NO 1-17 TRAFFIC JAMS. (SHOW IT AND YOU SELL IT!

1924 E Osborn Road Phoenix, AZ 85016

$448,900
2 Beds
1 Bath
977 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6625790
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
*SELLER FINANCING AVAILABLE* Remodeled from top to bottom in Loma Linda neighborhood right down the street from Phoenix Children's Hospital. All updates permitted w/ City of Phoenix. Home features new shaker kitchen cabinets w/ stainless steel appliances, tons of storage & island w/ breakfast bar. All new bathroom w/ tile tub surround. Real hard wood throughout including new baseboards. Energy efficient w/ new AC unit, new dual-pane windows & doors, tankless gas water heater & new insulation. Inside laundry room w/ extra storage & folding table. All new recessed lighting & ceiling fans throughout. Home has also been re-plumbed w/ new water & sewer lines. 2-car tandem garage that you can pull through into the backyard if you like. Large lot, block construction, no HOA & move in ready!

15829 W Boca Raton Road Surprise, AZ 85379

$448,900
3 Beds
2 Baths
2,071 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6647483
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Home sweet home! This immaculate 1-story home has no rear neighbors giving you privacy! Come home to cozy yet elegant living, highlighted by a neutral palette throughout & boasts a well-designed split-floor plan w/ 2,071 sq ft of living space, 3 bedrooms plus a double door entry den, & 2 bath, a formal living/dining combo & the kitchen at the heart of the home overlooking the family room & breakfast nook. The well-equipped kitchen features S/S appliances, gorgeous granite countertop, tons of cabinet storage, pantry & kitchen island w/ a breakfast bar. Primary bedroom has a walk-in closet & ensuite bathroom. Step outside & enjoy your low maintenance backyard & relax in the sparkling pool- an ideal setting for true Arizona living. Close to Downtown Surprise, the Performing Arts Center, shopping, dining & great school

10829 W Melvin Street Avondale, AZ 85323

$448,900 - 3Br/3Ba -  for Sale in Roosevelt Park Phase 1, Avondale
Open House
$448,900
3 Beds
2.5 Baths
2,024 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6677982
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
This is it! Featuring an open floor plan where kitchen, dining and living spaces integrate into one large space. This home is ideal for entertaining! Luxurious finishes throughout, upgrades galore! Nestled in a gated community, this pristine home has it all! Gourmet kitchen is a modern chef's delight, complete with oversized island and breakfast bar, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, GAS range, and walk-in pantry! OWNED Solar Panels! Whole house water softener plus R/O system for kitchen & refrigerator ice maker! Grand master suite offers a spa-like retreat featuring dual vanities and an oversized walk-in shower with teak wood flooring and bench. Step outside to a feeling of being in a secluded tropical island with a beautiful backyard oasis! Large putting green, new hot tub, lighted Pergola, surrounded by a ''tropical island privacy wall''! 2.25% VA mortgage assumable for qualified buyers! Features: *SOLAR power (OWNED) *Soft water and R/O systems *Refrigerator, Gas stove, microwave and washer/dryer included *Tankless water heater *New Hot Tub *Lighted Pergola *Tropical Island privacy wall *Pre-wired for surround sound in living room, flex room and patio