When it's time to start fixing things up around your house, you want to make sure you're getting it done right the first time. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make during renovations, and how to avoid them.
Filling In Stucco Cracks
When cracks appear in stucco, it's because the ground under your house has actually shifted. When the ground shifts, so does your house. Since stucco doesn't have any stretch or give, it cracks during the movement. When most people attempt to fix it themselves, they often try to just seal it with cement. This doesn't really help to solve the problem, since the house will continue shifting and the cement will just crack all over again. That's why it's important to bring in a professional, who can properly assess the damage and find a lasting solution.
Getting Rid of Popcorn Ceilings
There's nothing quite like these remnants from the 80s. They look pretty dated, so most people are quite eager to get rid of them. Whether you scrape or sand, you'll definitely end up with a big mess, so be sure to cover every surface with a drop cloth or plastic sheeting. The major mistake people make during this process is not wetting down the surface enough before attempting to scrape it down, which can leave you with gouges in the ceiling. If this happens, you'll need to fill in the cracks and sand them down to get a smooth surface that's ready for painting.
Spray Painting on Your Own
When you've got a big painting job coming up, it might be tempting to tackle it on your own by using a paint sprayer. There are several issues you might run into if you do this. First off, it takes a bit of time to master the technique. You could end up with an uneven coat, and a ton of drips to fix up. Then, of course, you have to be extra careful about your prep-drop cloths need to be carefully arranged to cover everything. If there's a small gap somewhere, it's likely that paint splatter will end up there, leaving you with a mess that's hard to clean up. That's why this method is best left to the professionals.
Not Pressure Washing Before Exterior Painting
Before you paint the exterior of your house, you need to clean it. A rinse with a hose just won't cut it-you want to get rid of all the layers of dirt, moss, broken down paint residue, and mildew that might have built up over the years. Skipping this step means you'll be shortening the lifespan of your paint job. Considering how big of a job it is to paint your whole house, it's probably not something you want to have to deal with very frequently. When you hire painters, they'll take care of this step for you. (Another great reason not to do it all yourself!)
Using the Wrong Type of Paint
There are many different types of paint out there, and they all have different uses. Flat paint is latex-based and is typically used for walls and ceilings, and also on siding materials. Eggshell is more durable than flat, and is often used for hardwood surfaces, but can also be used on walls and surfaces that need something durable and easy to clean. Gloss has a very high shine finish, and is hardwearing. It's mainly used on metal and vinyl surfaces. Satin is used in the same way as gloss but is slightly less shiny.
Now that you're aware of these common renovation blunders, you can make sure you don't fall into the same traps. If you're still worried about messing it up, it's always a smart move to hire a professional instead of doing it yourself.