Summer is all about vacations, beach days, ice cream and lots of time spent with the family. But it’s also a good time to get things done around the house that are easier to do when the weather is nice. Painting your house, inside or out, is best done in the summer when you have warm weather and longer days but there are a few tips and tricks to make your painting sessions go more smoothly!
Exterior Painting
Obviously, the number one reason to paint the exterior of your house in the summer is the weather. It is way more comfortable to spend the day outside in July or August than it is in December or January. You also have longer days allowing you more time to get the job done. Warmer temperatures are great for drying paint and it means your paint won’t be too viscous. However, you do want to be mindful of extremely warm temperatures, as the surface of your house may be too warm for the paint to adhere to properly. In general, temperatures of around 21ºC are perfect for painting. You’ll also want to watch the humidity levels too. A higher humidex can make it more difficult to dry and cure. Watch your local weather report for a stretch of multiple days with good weather before starting your project, so you know you’ll have plenty of time to finish.
Before you get started you’ll want to rinse your house to get out any dirt, grime, mould, and mildew that has settled since the last time you painted. You can try spraying a dilute bleach solution and then rinse it off. A pressure washer might be too powerful for this task though, so just stick with your regular garden hose and spray nozzle.
When starting, find the shadiest spot and follow it throughout the day as it moves around the house. This means you’ll be painting on a cooler surface which allows the paint to adhere to the house better. It also keeps you from getting too much sun! Don’t forget the sunscreen though, just in case.
Finally, summer is a great time to choose a house colour! When your garden is in bloom you’ll be able to find something that suits the colours of the flowers and plants around your yard.
Interior Painting
Some of the same tips apply to painting indoors as well! Temperature and humidity are still factors for interior painting. Warmer temperatures will make your prep time, primer, and your paint dry faster. It also means you can keep the windows open which will keep paint fumes to a minimum and help control the humidity with fresh air.
The natural bright light of a summer day is also great for choosing paint colours. You can apply a test coat to see how the colour looks in the light before you decide on the right one.
Like with exterior painting you do want to make sure it’s not too hot and that the wall you’re painting hasn’t been exposed to direct sunlight for too long as the heat can affect the paint. Aiming to painting in the mornings or evenings can mean you’re not painting during the hottest part of the day.
We hope this makes your summer chore list just a little bit easier!