The secrets to perfectly preparing your house for painting

So, you've decided to paint the walls of your home. You might be tempted to start slapping paint on straight away, but any experienced painting professional will tell you that the key to a long-lasting painting finish is getting prepared.

 
1. Move your furniture - either to the centre of your room, or out of the room completely. This is so you can see exactly what needs to be done.
 
2. Apply masking tape - to the area where your wall meets the skirting board and where your wall meets the ceiling. Then cover your floors with drop cloths or plastic.
 
3. Remove light fixtures, curtains, rods, and outlet covers - you could mask these areas off but removing them will give a more professional finish.
 
4. Clean your walls with sugar soap - this helps the paint to stick better. A clean surface also stops stains and marks showing through the new paint. Once you've cleaned the wall, make sure it's completely dry by wiping it over with a clean cloth.
 
5. Scrape cracked or bubbling paint off the walls - use a paint scraper to remove any flaky and cracked paint from the wall. Always wear safety goggles and wear a dust mask. You will also need a ladder to reach the high spots.
 
6. Fill any cracks - use a gap filler for walls to fill any cracks in the wall. For the best result, overfill the cracks. When the filler is dry, sand the wall until it's smooth. Don't forget your goggles and mask.
 
7. Seal any corner gaps - use a multi-purpose gap sealer and a caulking gun to fill the gaps in the corners of the walls. Wipe off any excess with a damp cloth.

Now you are ready to paint your walls.

If you don't have the time or patience to follow these steps, then call your local painting professional. They have the experience and equipment to complete the job quickly and easily.