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

If 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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8917 N 65th Drive Glendale, AZ 85302

$459,000

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,760 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6685460

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This is the best house in the neighborhood! It has been completely remodeled by a licensed contractor. The house features a new roof and HVAC system, as well as fresh paint both outside and inside. Additionally, there are new tile floors throughout the entire house. As you enter, you'll be greeted by a spacious living room filled with natural light. The kitchen has undergone a complete transformation with new cabinets, quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances. Both bathrooms have also been completely redone, including new vanities, cabinets, countertops, fixtures, and tiled showers. Outside, you can enjoy the patio and the low-maintenance yard. Don't miss out on the opportunity to own this beautiful home.

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16 W Encanto Boulevard Phoenix, AZ 85003

$459,000

2 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,709 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6685494

Property Type Apartment

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Don't miss out on over 1,700 sqft of Midtown Luxury! This private end unit is the largest City Home floor plan and is priced to sell. There are only 4 units at Tapestry with this desirable floor plan. You will enjoy all the windows making it light and bright. Features include upgraded stainless appliances, granite counter tops, gas range and a gas fireplace. The first floor also has beautiful laminate flooring and a large patio. There are two large bedrooms upstairs with lots of closet space. The primary suite has a walk in closet and a nice private balcony that is north facing for year around use. Located just minutes from shopping via a short drive or the light rail. You can even take the light rail to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. This home has two assigned parking spaces in the secured underground parking too. On site amenities include a fitness center, club house, large heated pool and spa, a Walgreen's pharmacy is on site as are a nail salon and a new art studio too.

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30520 W Clarendon Avenue Buckeye, AZ 85396

$459,000

5 Beds

3 Baths

2,658 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6687483

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to your canvas! This beautiful move-in ready, spacious home, is ready for your personal touch. As you pull up to the home you will be grateful for the 3 car garage and RV gate perfect for storing your cars, toys and holiday decor, as well as having your own ''she shed''. As you walk inside you will not be disappointed with the open living space and gourmet kitchen that will meet your needs and more! This desirable floor plan is great for a multi generational home or someone looking for all the space, with 5 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms. And the backyard is ready for you to turn it into your outside oasis! OH! And did I mention it has OWNED solar?! Don't miss it!

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7650 E Edgewood Avenue Mesa, AZ 85208

$459,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,584 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6688997

Property Type Single Family Residence

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Fantastic Ranch Home in Fountain of the Sun, a 55+ Community. Move-in Ready, 2 bed, 2 bath home with a private, gated, backyard pool. Updates include refaced kitchen cabinets, quartz countertops and all new LG kitchen appliances 2023. Large owner's bedroom suite, French door entry, updated bath, new vanity & walk-in closet. Guest bedroom has a new Murphy-style wall bed unit that converts to a desk ($7k) and a walk-in closet. High-quality window shutters throughout the entire home. Beautiful, private backyard with heated salt-water pool, new pump & salt cell in 2019. Newer roof & outside paint. Enjoy all the Fountain of the Sun amenities including pickle ball, bocce ball, a dog park and much more. The 18-hole executive golf course & country club make this a very special place to live.

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