Welcome to the Manchaca Handyman
Website, homeowners’ favorite resource for DIY home improvement tips. Here is an article written by Keith Paul,
founder of HandyPro Handyman Services with interior painting tips:
“I’m going to paint my living
room, and I have never painted before. Any advice?”- Steve P
Taking the
time to properly prepare a room for painting can make the job easier and ensure
good results. Keep in mind that preparation often takes more time than actual
painting.
One of the
big jobs on many homeowners' “To Do” lists is interior painting. But painting
is something homeowners don’t do frequently, and they may not know the tricks
of the trade to ensure the job is done properly. Many first-time homeowners
have never painted a room before and aren’t sure where to start.
If
homeowners spend more time preparing a room for painting than actually painting
it, they will find the project is easier and the results will be much better.
Here are a
couple of basic room preparation tips before painting:
- Remove what furniture you can, move what‘s left into the center of the room, and then cover with drop cloths.
- Tape around moldings, doors and windows using removable safety masking tape specially made for painting.
- Remove any heating and cooling air vents and cover plates from electrical outlets and light switches.
- Sand or scrape loose and flaky paint with light sandpaper or a paint scraper.
- Fill all nail and screw holes from pictures with a putty knife and spackling compound.
- If the walls and ceiling of the room are dirty, wash them with trisodium phosphate (TSP) prior to painting. Allow walls to dry completely prior to painting.
- Spread a canvas drop cloth over the floor to keep paint drips and spills from ruining your carpet.
Once the
room is prepared, plan on at least two coats of paint to ensure proper
coverage. Start by using a paint brush to paint trim around doors and windows,
then in the corners of walls and ceilings.
After doing
the trim, use a paint roller (and an extension handle if necessary) to roll the
paint on the walls and ceilings. It’s best to start with the ceiling first and
then proceed to the walls.
When painting with a roller, homeowners should take one section at a time, roll a “W” and then fill it in. This assures an even application of paint.
After the
room is painted, make sure to mark the remaining paint cans with the name of
the room it was used on. Many of us often save paint but don’t know which room
it was used for; by marking the cans, it’s easy to find the right paint when
you need to touch up a room a year or two later.
What’s on your to-do list? HandyPro Handyman Services offers affordable
solutions to a wide variety of home repairs and maintenance projects. They also offer senior
home modification services including kitchen and bathroom remodeling, stair
lifts, wheelchair ramps, super strong grab bars, walk-in tubs and showers and
more. HandyPro specializes in helping
the homeowner, business or property manager have minor repairs completed
professionally, in a timely manner, and guarantees 100% customer satisfaction.
Hiring a Handyman, CEAC,
Certified Environment Access Consultant, Senior home
modification, wheelchair
ramps, stair rails and grab bars, stair lifts, kitchen and bathroom
retrofitting, Carpentry, Plaster, Drywall,
Acoustic Ceilings, Grout tub, fix leaky faucet, home warranty/maintenance,
paint home, caulk bathtub, replace locks, garage doors, cabinets, countertops,
fix running toilet, repair squeaky door, install molding, security services,
stained glass, door repair/install, drywall repair, painting, kitchen,
insulation, concrete, masonry, repair gutters, remove wallpaper, replace
ceiling fan, caulk awning, siding repair, install shelves, organizers, ceramic
tile, window well covers, replace bathroom fan, draperies, blinds, shades,
glass, mirrors, decks, and much more…just ask!