Painting, decorating & property maintenance

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Interior:

Whilst interior decorating works each have an individual style and specific issues, there are significant areas of common practice that we will adopt for every job.

Preparation

The finished job can only be as good as the preparation; if the surface is not adequately prepared, a poor finish will result.  Before the commencement of any work, the area is cleared of furniture and other items as far as is possible.  Any remaining items of furniture, or carpets that are to remain, are carefully sheeted over with plastic and cotton dust sheets.  If floor coverings are to be kept, all edges are masked to prevent any paint contamination.

Wall and ceiling lights are removed and all door and window furniture is removed and set aside - we do not paint over fittings.  Light switches and sockets are loosened from the plaster surface and protected with plastic to prevent paint splashes.  Where this proves impractical, all face plates are thoroughly cleaned once the work is completed.  Wherever possible, all previously painted surfaces are washed down thoroughly to prepare the surface for painting.

Interior woodwork

  • Previously painted surfaces on which the coating is in good condition are washed with a solution of sugar soap
  • Loose and flaking paint is scraped or removed using a hot air gun
  • Exposed knots are treated with a coat of shellac knotting
  • All bare wood is sanded and one full coat of solvent borne primer is applied
  • Timber frames around glass are bladed off to remove excess paint
  • Holes are filled with filler and the whole surface is sanded to a smooth finish
  • Areas requiring a flexible repair are filled using decorator’s caulk
  • The woodwork is finished with two coats of undercoat and one coat of gloss finish

Plasterwork

  • Sound paintable existing wall coverings are prepared to accept a new paint system
  • Vinyl, patterned or unwanted wall coverings are removed with a steam stripper down to bare plaster
  • Defective coatings are scraped back to a sound edge
  • Powdery and friable surfaces are sealed with an appropriate stabilising primer
  • Holes are filled with a plaster based filler and sanded to a smooth finish
  • Any defective areas of plasterwork are removed, the area prepared and then re-plastered with an appropriate finishing plaster
  • Previously papered surfaces are lined with 1000 grade lining paper
  • New plaster is sealed with a well-thinned coat of emulsion paint
  • The prepared plaster surface is finished with 2 full coats of emulsion paint

Exterior:

Due to the increased wear from the weather, we recommend the use of Dulux Weathershield paints for all exterior joinery.  This has proven itself to be a particularly durable and long lasting pain finish for exterior work.

Preparation

As with interior work, the finished job can only be as good as the preparation; if the surface is not adequately prepared, a poor finish will result.

Exterior woodwork

  • Previously painted surfaces on which the coating is in good condition are washed with a solution of sugar soap
  • Loose and flaking paint is scraped or removed using a hot air gun
  • Decayed timber is removed and the remaining timber is treated with a clear wood preservative
  • Any loose putty is raked out and replaced
  • Exposed knots are treated with a coat of shellac knotting
  • All bare wood is sanded and one full coat of solvent borne primer is applied
  • Timber frames around glass are bladed off to remove excess paint
  • Holes are filled with filler and the whole surface is sanded to a smooth finish
  • Areas requiring a flexible repair are filled using decorator’s caulk
  • The woodwork is finished with two coats of undercoat and one coat of gloss finish
  • Paint splashes are removed from the glass and windows cleaned with glass cleaner

Exterior masonry

  • Defective coatings are scraped back to a sound edge
  • Where required, surfaces are washed down and areas of mould treated with a fungicidal wash and growth inhibitor
  • Powdery and friable surfaces are sealed with an appropriate Weathershield stabilising primer
  • Holes are filled with a cement based filler and sponged/sanded to a smooth finish
  • The prepared surface is finished with 2 full coats of exterior masonry paint