South Central Connecticut Home Improvement FAQ

The majority of people consider home improvement a high priority. They have a list of projects they want to complete to make their house a home. But the tricky part can be actually seeing those projects through to fruition.

What is on your to-do list? And more importantly, how much do you know about these projects? We’ve compiled a list of answers to several common questions about exterior and interior painting projects, in this home improvement FAQ. We hope this information helps you decide what needs to be done around your house now, what can wait another year, and what you should call an expert about.

Exterior Home Improvement FAQ

Thinking about tackling some exterior home improvement projects? Plan accordingly. In Connecticut, you’ll likely be able to work on exterior projects from at least late March to early October. You need to understand when the best time is to do projects like painting, staining, and power washing.

Understand how and when to do these projects so you can tackle them like an expert.

Do I Need to Re-stain My Deck?

Did you know that staining your deck once is not enough? It’s a common misconception that staining your deck will protect it forever.

Tip: The majority of stains last less than five years, and some less than three for parts of the country with extreme weather (coughConnecticutwinterscough).

Curious about whether your deck needs to be re-stained? If you recently moved into your home, have not stained your deck in the last three years, or are seeing chipping and splitting in the wood – the answer is most likely yes. If you intend to remove the old stain and apply new stain to the deck, you may want to call a professional. It can be difficult to properly remove the stain without damaging the wood.

When is the Best Time to Re-stain My Deck?

The simple answer to this question is the fall. The more accurate answer to this question is that staining should be done under certain conditions. You cannot stain your deck if it is wet or has recently absorbed moisture. This makes the spring a hard time to stain a deck. You should also not stain a deck in extreme heat. This makes the summer a less than ideal time to stain a deck. If you try to stain a deck in the summer, extreme temperatures can result in a premature stain failure. This means that the stain will be unable to penetrate the surface to provide long lasting protection. This will cause the stain to wear prematurely.

How Often Should I Power wash My House?

Power wash your home once a year to keep it looking new, keep the colors bright, and remove any dirt or mold.

If you live in an area that experiences above average moisture, poor air quality, or high levels of dirt or pollen, then you may want to consider power washing your home two or more times per year.

When is the Best Time to Power wash My House?

Power washing a surface does not have the same limitations as painting and staining a surface. You should consider power washing your home in the late spring or early summer. This will allow you to remove winter dirt and springtime pollen from your home.

Tip: Did you know that you can power wash brick, vinyl siding, and stucco? You can. Just be sure not to use too high a setting, to avoid unnecessary damage.

If you want to power wash your home but fear you may damage your home, or simply don’t want to deal with the hassle on your own — consult an expert for help.

Do I Need to Repaint the Exterior of My Home?

It’s best to repaint your home every 5-10 years, depending on the material. Contact a professional to talk about the current state of the exterior of your home and how often it should be repainted.

Curious about whether your home could use a fresh coat of paint? You should consider repainting your home if you have recently replaced a portion of your exterior or are beginning to see excessive wear. Siding may be beginning to fade or chip in spots. Or you may simply want a new look — painting the exterior of your home can transform the entire property.

Tip: The majority of paints adhere best when they are applied between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Interior Home Improvement FAQs

Exterior improvements sometimes feel more important because they are bigger projects and the exterior of the home is the first thing you and your visitors see. But what about the interior? The place you spend the majority of your life.

Read on for answers to common interior painting and home improvement questions.

How Do I Know If It’s Time to Refinish My Kitchen Cabinets?

It’s likely that your kitchen is well overdue for a facelift. Refinishing your kitchen cabinets is a great way to improve the existing space without taking on major work or renovation.

For anyone unfamiliar with the process of refinishing, it involved removing the cabinet doors, sanding them down, stripping off the old finish, and applying new paint or stain. The result is a kitchen that feels brand new without handing over thousands of dollars on new cabinetry.

If you are unsure as to whether you need to refinish your cabinets, ask yourself the following questions: Do your kitchen cabinets look outdated? Do they have food, grease, or fingerprint stains? Are they chipping and starting to show significant wear?

Yes? Then it’s probably time to refinish your kitchen cabinets. And trust us, you’ll be happy you did.

How Do I Know If It’s Time to Paint the Interior of My Home?

Look around your home. Does it need a few touch-ups? Is the paint chipping anywhere? Do you have any damaged drywall? Are the colors faded, outdated, or showing wear? That may mean it’s time to repaint the interior of your home.
Unlike the exterior, which likely experiences the same wear all over, the interior of your home has high traffic areas and low traffic areas. High traffic areas need painting more often, likely every 3-5 years. These areas include the kitchen, bathroom, stairs, hallways, and entryways. Low traffic areas may be able to get away with new paint every 7-10 years. These areas include the living room, dining room, bedrooms, office, and any spare rooms or spaces.

Tip: Paint can help make small rooms look bigger or big rooms feel more inviting and cozy. Contact a professional for a color consultation. They will help you choose colors that compliment your home and personal style.

How Do I Know If It’s Time to Replace the Wallpaper in My Home?

Wallpaper doesn’t go bad, but it can begin to show wear. If your wallpaper is peeling, splitting at the seams, has bubbles, is faded from the sun, or is just beginning to look dated, you may want to consider replacing it.

Ready to replace wallpaper but unsure if you want to select a new pattern or just go with paint? Be aware that wallpaper is known to last much longer than paint, sometimes up to 15 years or more.

If you want to remove old wallpaper and install new, contact a professional. Don’t spend the weekend picking at the wall. An expert will know the tricks to remove wallpaper seamlessly and install it flawlessly.

Contacting a Professional

You can contact a home improvement expert to discuss all your ideas, questions, and concerns – with no obligation. CertaPro Painters^® of South Central CT offers free remote and in-person estimates to all customers.  Contact us today by phone at 800-462-3782 to discuss your project and schedule your free remote estimate or schedule online.