You will need a ladder to paint a split level home.
Repainting the inside of a split level home often proves to be more difficult than many other homes. In the center of the home where the two levels join, high walls and ceilings are an issue. Unless you have scaffolding, this job will not be as easy as painting a house with 8- or 9-foot ceilings throughout. Though skipping steps in the painting process may be tempting, it could result in a sloppy paint job and one that does not last as long as it would otherwise.
Instructions
1. Move the furniture out of the room or toward the center of the room, away from the walls. Remove knickknacks and items on top of the furniture so they don't become damaged. Cover the floor and furniture with dropcloths.
2. Sand the walls and ceiling lightly with 120-grit sand paper. Use an extension ladder, sanding pole and face mask for this job. Sanding prepares the walls for the new coat of paint so it will adhere better. Start with the ceiling and work your way down the walls.
3. Clean the walls and ceiling well with a rag moistened with warm water. A mop will likely be necessary for the tall areas and the ceiling. Rinse often so you do not move the dust and dirt around, but instead get rid of it. Clean any trim you plan to paint as well.
4. Select a high-quality paint with an added primer so you don't need to apply a separate coat of primer. Choose a color that closely matches the existing paint color for rooms with high ceilings so you do not need to apply several coats of paint to cover up the old color.
5. Paint along the edges and corners with a paintbrush. You can also use a miniroller instead. If you are painting the ceiling a different color than the walls, carefully paint along the edges, keeping the bristles on the dry side and using a steady hand to make clean lines. Otherwise, you will need to tape along the top of the wall, which will be difficult in rooms with high ceilings. Use an extension ladder for this step.
6. Paint the ceiling with a roller and extension rod. Paint in rows that overlap one another. It is difficult to paint a ceiling with large W-shaped motions as you can the walls. Paint the walls in a similar manner as the ceiling; however, you can more easily make large W-shaped motions for complete coverage.
7. Paint the trim and any woodwork with a high-quality brush after the last coat of paint.
Related posts
Cedar is an attractive siding used on homes, but it occasionally needs updating since the stain or paint will deteriorate over time. Staining cedar is often easier than painting because it doesn't...
Brick is a rough surface that may be difficult to paint.If you tire of the standard terracotta coloring of brick homes, you may consider covering your house with a vibrant coat of paint. When rest...
Painting the eaves of a house is challenging, particularly when they are recessed.All homes need fresh paint now and then, but the eaves of a home are sometimes tricky to paint. They are high off...
A sturdy ladder helps you to reach high places.When painting your house by yourself you may find reaching places that are a high climb, such as the top portion of the wall, to be tricky or intimid...
Vaulted ceilings add a sense of space to a room, by adding height.Vaulted ceilings entail designs that rise up in an incline and exceed the standard 8 foot height. Cathedral ceilings angle upward...
