Save your summer
Don’t put off those maintenance or small renovation jobs
DURING THE warmer weather of spring and summer we all start to think about getting our houses in order, inside and out. It can sometimes seem overwhelming. You have an image in your head of a pristine section, where every area and all surfaces look spick and span, fresh from the pages of a magazine. There can be temptation to put those maintenance or small renovation jobs off because you don’t know where to start, then you find your summer holiday time booked up by a long list of must-do maintenance jobs.
Here are a few ideas for small jobs, and quick home improvement projects.
Spring clean
It’s an obvious one, but a deep clean around your home, inside and out sets all your other renovation or maintenance projects up for success.
Ashleigh Strange from Resene’s Advice Team says a good place to start is washing your home’s exterior.
“Washing the exterior of your house once a year is a good way to help protect the life of your paint. It helps prevent buildup of moss, lichen and mould but it also removes other damaging deposits like salt.”
Top tip: As you clean, move away any items leaning against exterior cladding as they can trap moisture and cause rot.
Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted as recommended makes the task simple, Strange says. “Just apply the diluted solution with a soft broom then wash the surface off with lots of fresh water.”
Treat hard surfaces like concrete and pavers to a scrub with Resene Moss & Mould Killer then waterblast to clean. For a more complete refresh, you could try Resene ConcreteWash tinted to one of five earthy shades such as Resene Whitewash, Resene Greigewash, Resene Blondewash, Resene Claywash or Resene Stonewash.
The product does for concrete what a stain like Resene Colorwood does for timber surfaces. It allows you to add layers of sheer colour while retaining the texture of the substrate.
Top tip: Don’t be tempted to clean wooden surfaces like weatherboards, decking or wood furniture by water blasting. The pressure can force water up under weatherboards or damage the wood surface.
One great reason to start your spring projects with a methodical clean throughout your home is that it gives you the chance to spot areas needing maintenance before they become bigger problems.
It might be something simple like a sticking window, or scratches and marks on your paintwork or wallpaper, or it could be bigger problems like leaks and mould.
It’s important to deal with any signs of moisture damage as soon as you find them, rather putting it off or painting over and hoping for the best, Strange says.
The signs to look for are yellow or brown stains, patches that are cool to touch, crumbling plaster, peeling paint, lifting wallpaper, or spores of black mould that can resemble dirt or pinkish mould often found in bathrooms.
Once the problem is fixed, clean the surface with Resene Moss and Mould Killer and clean again before priming the surface with Resene Sureseal and then a topcoat. Top tip: Don’t forget to check the roof for mould or lichen. Give painted roofs a wash with Resene Roof and Metal Wash.
Add fresh flair
Upgrade your outdoor furniture. Give your tables and chairs a clean, light sand and wipe down and you’re ready to try a fresh coat of paint or stain. Consider trying a darker shade like Resene Woodsman Treehouse or Resene Woodsman Banjul for a modern backdrop that looks dramatic with brightly-coloured planters or furniture. Remember to choose the CoolColour version so your chairs don’t heat up as much.
Try painting a set of outdoor chairs in different bold shades like Resene Aloe Vera, Resene Wild Thing, Resene Tequila Sunrise and Resene Now Or Never. If you have painted outdoor furniture, spring or early summer is a great time to give them an annual refresh with a quick paint touch-up.
Rethink your outdoor space. Take a fresh look at how you use your outdoor spaces. Do they work? Can you connect different areas with pavers or paths? Getting the most out of your garden, is just the same as any other part of your house. You want to be sure it’s designed to suit your needs.
Would gates or fences add privacy or security? Would moveable screens help protect from winds and other weather. How can you use colour with paint and plants to make the area visually pleasing? Develop a plan to create different use areas in your garden.
Create feature walls. There is almost nothing simpler than adding a feature wall to a space, indoors or out, for high impact change with minimal effort and time. Use a bold wallpaper to revive your living room. Give it a summery feel with the breezy botanicals of Resene Wallpaper Collection 38720-1, or just add a dramatic drop of colour with the sunshine shade of Resene Wallpaper Collection 37178-4.
If a wall of bold wallpaper isn’t for you, find a pattern you like and frame two or three drops of it as an art feature.
If you prefer to paint, try a bold colour block that elevates whatever shade you have on your other walls. If you have a largely neutral space, go for a strong contrast for maximum effect. For example, if you have three walls in Resene Half Tea try a feature in earthy but bold Resene Moroccan Spice or go darker with Resene Racing Green.
■ For more advice and inspiration, visit your local Resene ColorShop.