Paintastic
As the city moves into the warmer months, besides buying some T-shirts, it’s also a good time to paint your house, especially the interiors.
But a paint job is also rather expensive. A top-quality paint job for a home, with a carpet area of over 2,100 sft, could take you above the `1 lakh mark. So, you have to be careful, and most importantly, practical.
Fortunately, the technology behind paints has improved and there are a lot of brands like Berger, that specialise in providing economical, and most importantly, safe options.
So, here are some tips.
Surface check
As soon as your walls are ready, check for dampness or water seepage. If you find some, rectify the problem at source. After the first coat, start sandpapering to avoid tiny bumps. Also, loose plaster must be removed. You can spot loose plaster by tapping on the walls. A distinct, hollow sound is an indicator.
Previous coatings of lime wash or powder distemper must be scraped off.
Light check up
After a coat, check the quality with a light source. The light source will help you spot patches or other forms of discoloration.
Have some patience
One coat of primer, an oil bonding distemper, and two coats of good paint should keep you happy for at least five years. But you have to play the painting game with lots of patience.
New owners of apartments might have noticed ugly, hair-line cracks developing on their walls due to a lack of proper curing. Curing is done at the plastering stage, and it allows air to escape the walls.
Busy builders, who rush to deliver an apartment, often ignore curing time and homeowners are left worrying about cracks. That’s why at least a month must be spent in curing.
Watch the roof
Check for cracks near the edges and especially near the area where the water collects. An excellent masonry job should stop ugly surprises from happening after you’ve painted your home. Make sure you are around during the masonry stage.
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