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9 Ways to Improve Your Resident Experience

Resident experience is the sum total of interactions and experiences a resident has with their property manager and the rental property itself – from the initial lease signing to the eventual move-out and all the day-to-day living moments in between. It encompasses everything from the quality of services provided, like timely maintenance and communication, to the overall livability and enjoyment of the property. In essence, it's how a resident perceives their rental journey in its entirety. Excellent resident experience management is the mark of a top-tier property management company. It boosts resident retention, satisfaction, and outcomes. In this article, we delve into nine actionable ways to enhance the resident experience in your single-family rental properties, fostering stronger relationships and, ultimately, achieving greater success in property management. Read the full report! If you haven’t already heard, we recently published our first-ever State of Resident Experience Report, which explores resident experience management: the pivotal touchpoints between a resident and a property manager. The report draws fresh insights from the SFR property management industry and explores the three top factors impacting resident experience right now. 1. A Seamless Move-In Experience Ah, the move-in process – the start of a beautiful friendship between the resident and the property manager. It's a bit like a first date – you're setting impressions that could make or break the relationship. A seamless move-in experience is your chance to roll out the red carpet for your new residents, showing them they've made the right choice (and have definitely swiped right on the best property around). And guess what? A resident who's had a great move-in experience is a happier one. Happier residents stay longer, pay on time, take care of the property, and make positive recommendations. Resident experience examples: How to build a perfect resident move-in experience Here's how to ensure your move-in experience hits all the right notes. Clear Communication: Provide detailed information about the new home and move-in process, including key collection, utility setup, and property rules. Who's handling utilities? Where's the best pizza joint nearby? Share all the important details. Welcome Packet: Roll out the resident red carpet with a welcome packet. Not only does it have all the must-know info, but it also says, "Hey, we're glad you're here." Include essential information such as garbage collection days, rules, important contact numbers, and a neighborhood guide. Property Readiness: Nothing dampens spirits like a flickering light on the first day. Ensure the property is thoroughly cleaned, all appliances are working, and any previous damages are repaired before the move-in date. Efficient Paperwork: Let's face it, nobody loves paperwork. Make it painless with easy online forms and digital sign-offs. Personal Touch: A little welcome gift can go a long way. It's like saying, "Welcome home, neighbor. We're going to rock this thing." Second Nature’s Resident Benefits Package includes a Move-in Concierge to ensure the process is seamless and personal. 2. Responsive Communication In the symphony of successful property management, responsive communication is your melody. It's the backbone of a harmonious resident experience, and when done right, it can elevate your property management status from “forgettable” to “virtuoso.” The sooner you respond to your resident’s queries or concerns, the more they'll feel valued. And a valued resident is a happier resident. Remember, good communication isn’t just about speed—it’s about clarity too. It's like being a great tour guide in the bustling city of property management—clear, informative, and always ready to help. Ways to improve communication with your residents Let's explore some best practices: Multiple Channels: Embrace the digital age! Offer various communication channels like emails, text messages, phone calls, and even a resident portal. Variety is the spice of life, right? Be Proactive: Don’t wait for your residents to reach out with issues. Regularly check in and ask if they need anything. Set Expectations: Be clear about your communication protocols. Let your residents know when and how they can reach you and when they can expect a response. No one likes to be left on read! Listen Actively: When your residents speak, lend them your ears! Show understanding and work collaboratively towards solutions. It's a two-way street, after all. Be Respectful: Always communicate with respect and professionalism. Treat your residents the way you’d want to be treated – it’s the golden rule, even in property management! 3. Better Maintenance Services with Quick Response Times Think of maintenance services as the superheroes of the property management world. When done right, they swoop in to save the day, ensuring minor issues don't escalate into supervillain-sized problems. Quick response times? That's your superhero's super speed. The quicker the response, the happier your resident, and the safer the day. How to improve maintenance services and response times Here's how to get your property management cape (sorry) flapping in the wind: 24/7 Maintenance Line: Offer a dedicated line for maintenance requests. To belabor our superhero analogy, it’s like having a bat signal for your tenants – they know help is just a call away. Online Reporting: Make it easy for tenants to report issues. An online system can keep things organized and ensures no request gets lost in the shuffle. Prompt Follow-up: Act swiftly on maintenance requests. Even if you can't fix the issue immediately, acknowledging the request and providing a timeline can ease the resident's mind. Regular Inspections: Regular property inspections can help you catch potential issues before they become major headaches. It's all about that ounce of prevention! Trusted Vendors: Work with reliable and professional vendors who provide quality work in a timely manner. They're your sidekicks in maintaining property harmony. 4. Resident Surveys and Active Feedback Gathering Resident surveys and feedback gathering are your property's annual check-up, a key health indicator for your relationship with residents. These invaluable tools allow you to take the pulse of resident satisfaction, uncover hidden issues, and celebrate what's working well. When residents see their feedback being valued and acted upon, it creates a sense of involvement and community, enhancing their overall living experience and driving resident retention. Importantly, active feedback gathering shows your residents that their voices matter. It instills a sense of ownership and care that can often lead to better property care and longer tenancies. How to turn resident feedback into a better resident experience Here are some ways to champion feedback in your property management: Regular Surveys: Don't just wait for the annual survey. Keep the feedback coming in regularly, like a monthly check-in or a quick poll after a service call. It's like catching up over a virtual cup of coffee – relaxed and informative. Feedback Boxes: Consider setting up a digital feedback box where residents can drop their thoughts, ideas, or concerns anonymously. Think of it as your modern suggestion box. Act on Feedback: Here's the real deal – taking action. Show your residents that their feedback isn't just being heard, it's being actioned. 5. Resident Rewards Resident Rewards are a huge factor in resident retention and satisfaction. Rewards make residents feel appreciated and have proven to incentivize habits like on-time payments and better care for the property. Perks like this can significantly boost resident satisfaction, increase lease renewals, and even stimulate referrals. It's a win-win all around! For multifamily and apartment community managers, that might look like community-focused programs. For single-family property managers, we’ve got some other tips. Second Nature’s Resident Benefits Package includes a robust resident rewards program. How to improve the resident experience with resident rewards Here's how you can sprinkle some rewarding magic into your resident experience: On-Time Rent Rewards: Create a system that rewards residents for consistently paying their rent on time. It could be a small discount or a gift card to a local coffee shop. Longevity Rewards: Celebrate lease renewals or long-term residents. A gift, a discount, or even a personalized note can make your residents feel valued for their loyalty. Referral Rewards: Turn your residents into ambassadors! Offer a discount or a bonus for any referral they make that signs a lease. Surprise Rewards: Keep the excitement alive with occasional surprise rewards. It could be as simple as a movie ticket or a voucher for a free car wash. 6. Incentive Programs Incentive programs are the next level of resident engagement that professional PMs offer. They can positively influence resident behavior, promote a sense of belonging, and even enhance your property's appeal to prospective residents. When residents feel that their good habits (like timely rent payments) are being recognized or they're being offered valuable services (like credit reporting or identity protection), it builds loyalty and satisfaction. It's like saying, "We're in this together, and we've got your back!" How incentive programs can boost the resident experience Here's how to serve up a great menu of incentives for your residents: Credit Reporting: Offer a program that reports timely rent payments to credit bureaus. It's a win-win: they pay their rent on time, and they build their credit! Identity Protection: In a world where digital safety is paramount, offering identity protection services can be a powerful incentive. It's like providing an invisible, protective bubble around your residents. Rent Discount for Referrals: Encourage residents to become your ambassadors. Offer a rent discount or a gift for successful referrals. It's like having your very own fan club. Early Payment Incentives: Reward residents who pay their rent well before the due date. It could be a small discount or a token gift, but it makes them feel appreciated. Rewards for Green Habits: Encourage residents to adopt environmentally friendly habits, like recycling or energy conservation, and offer incentives for their green efforts. This can really help in SFR when you don’t have the same level of control as PMs managing an apartment building. 7. Support Tools Support services work behind the scenes, often unnoticed, but they play a crucial role in streamlining the resident experience. From filter delivery subscriptions to online payments, these services add a layer of convenience and assurance for your residents. Integrating support services into your property management strategy can not only elevate resident satisfaction but also reduce your workload. It's like having a friendly assistant who's always ready to lend a hand, both to you and your residents. How to create support services that add convenience to your resident experience Here are a few ways you can amplify your resident experience through support services: Filter Delivery Subscription: Offering a filter delivery service for your residents ensures their HVAC system is always protected. It reduces your maintenance issues and costs and ensures they have a safe living environment. Second Nature’s filter delivery reduces resident and PM costs by hundreds of dollars a year. Online Rent Payment: Providing an easy-to-use online portal to process and automate rent payments and lease renewals adds a layer of convenience for you and your residents. Maintenance Request Portal: An online system for maintenance requests helps keep track of issues and ensures timely response. It's like having a 24/7 maintenance desk at their fingertips. Digital Notifications: Use email or SMS notifications to keep residents updated about important things like maintenance schedules, community events, or changes in property rules. Proptech solutions can help with digital support. Resident Portal: A comprehensive resident experience platform where tenants can access services, find information, and connect with management can significantly enhance the overall resident experience. 8. Concierge Services Concierge services are the above-and-beyond offerings that can truly set your property apart from the rest. This personalized attention can transform the often stressful processes into a smooth and enjoyable experience. How concierge services help with resident experience Here are some other examples of concierge services: Move-in Concierge: Who doesn’t want a personal assistant during the often chaotic time of moving? A move-in concierge helps with utility setup and pricing comparisons and provides local area information. Learn more about Second Nature’s Move-in Concierge in our Resident Benefits Package. Cleaning Services: Offering access to trusted cleaning services, whether for regular use or during the move-out process, can be a huge convenience. Maintenance Scheduling: A service to help residents schedule routine maintenance can keep their homes running smoothly without them having to worry about coordination. 9. Insurance While, as a property manager, you carry insurance for the physical property, it's equally important for your residents to have renter's insurance. Your coverage protects your owners' real estate investment. Renter’s insurance protects residents’ personal belongings and covers them for liability, and it's a small investment for significant protection. Plus, in case of a mishap, it can help the recovery process go much more smoothly. Resident experience examples: How to leverage a renter’s insurance program Here's how you can integrate insurance into your resident experience: Educate Residents: Make sure your residents understand the importance of renter's insurance, what it covers, and what it doesn't. This is critical information that every renter should know. Insurance Requirements in Lease: Include a clause about renter's insurance in your lease agreement. This helps to set the expectation right from the start. Annual Reminders: Send out annual reminders for policy renewals. It's a small step, but it ensures continuous protection for your residents. Renter’s Insurance Program: While most property managers require insurance, less than half of renters maintain coverage. Second Nature has developed a renter’s insurance program that has 100% compliance and leaves residents – and you – with the coverage they need. How SecondNature Improves Resident Experience Resident experience – those pivotal touchpoints between a resident and a property manager – can significantly shape the success of a single-family rental home. At Second Nature, we’ve built our entire company on the idea that resident experience can change the game in property management. Our Resident Benefits Package wraps up each of these strategies into an all-in-one resource for property management companies. It saves money for you and your residents and delivers the best in convenience and resident experience. Learn more about the Resident Benefits Package or read our State of Resident Experience Report.

Calendar icon July 18, 2023

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How to Easily Improve A Home's Indoor Air Quality

And how to stay safe indoors while keeping away from pollen. Yes, yes, we know we keep harping on pollen. That's partly because so many people are affected by allergies and partly because, in the south, the pollen is terrible! Like really bad. ‍ Allergy sufferers have two choices: Deal with the pollen and feel horrible for what seems like an eternity. Go inside already! ‍ (Because we all know that antihistamines only do so much.) ‍ Since we all want to avoid the Death Star...er, we mean pollen, let's stick to staying inside when we can until the pollen has subsided. Photo credit: Jeremy Gilchrist. ‍ Not really a tip, but a fun fact. Lucasfilm (the people who make Star Wars films) doesn't own a trademark to Death Star—oh, the Death Star is...nevermind. Just watch the saga. However, Lucasfilm does have a registered trademark for "Tiny Death Star," aka pollen. You can blame your allergies on George Lucas. ‍ Indoor Air Quality Poor air quality has a significant impact on the comfort of your home and overall health. While some symptoms may seem mild, they can escalate into more complex health complications. ‍ What's crazier than that? You probably had no idea, and it's pretty hard to notice. ‍ We usually think of air pollution as being outdoors, but the air in your house or office could easily be just as polluted. It wasn’t always this way. Over the years, as homes became more air tights and more energy efficient, we let a lot less air inside. To make matters a little worse, over 2,000 chemicals are released into the market each year. Those chemicals are used to make things smaller, better, cleaner; you know the drill. If we're honest, not all chemicals in your home are dangerous, per se. But you should know that the air inside your home can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. Maybe open up your windows once in a while. While indoor air pollution may only mildly irritate some, it can cause Sick Building Syndrome. ‍ Exactly as it sounds, you get sick from the building you’re inside. World Health Organization has documented “mucous membrane irritation (eye, nose, and throat irritation), neurotoxic effects (headaches, fatigue, and irritability), asthma and asthma-like symptoms (chest tightness and wheezing), skin dryness and irritation, gastrointestinal complaints” as some of the symptoms. ‍ Indoor Air Quality has become a buzzword of sorts, and you often hear about it referred to as IAQ. It’s not quite a public health issue, but it can be a concern when you throw poor outdoor air quality into the mix. The EPA uses its Air Quality Index (AQI) to measure outdoor pollution. At the same time, even when AQI levels are within a healthy range, there are plenty of nasty Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) ready to make your life a lot less pleasant inside. VOCs come in all sorts of forms: paints contain things like aliphatic hydrocarbons, ethyl acetate, glycol ethers, and acetone; formaldehyde (yes, what they use to embalm bodies) can be found not only in paint but also in ceiling tiles and adhesives; benzene, a known carcinogen, can be found in cigarette smoke and smoke from a wood burning fire. ‍ What's one to do? As a home wellness company, we could just tell you to regularly replace your air filters with a subscription service (because they really do help). But we won't just leave it at that. There are three easy items to run through that you can do to improve your home's IAQ so you really can escape the pollen this Spring. Deal with smoke Get a handle on VOCs Keep the pollen outside Deal with smoke Smoke that can contribute to a lower IAQ is all around us. Even if you aren't a smoker, cooking produces smoke. So do candles and incense. If you have a fireplace, that produces smoke too. ‍ To deal with smoke, here are some simple (and not-so-simple) tips: Don't smoke: but if you must, smoke outside. Need we go on? Cooking smoke: try using oils that have a lower smoke point. For example, Olive Oil has a relatively low smoke point: 320ºF. That's pretty easy to get to. Go for healthy and higher smoke point oils like Grapeseed oil (420ºF), Almond oil (420ºF), Hazelnut oil (430º), Ghee (485ºF and not actually oil), and the mother of all high smoke points, Avocado oil (520ºF). You can definitely sear a steak on some cast iron with some of that handy. Candles: not all candles are "wicked"—get it? Vegetable oil-based candles (like soy) are quite alright. And so are beeswax. It's synthetic wax and animal-based wax that can produce indoor pollutants. More likely than not, you don't have candles at home made from animal lard, and yes that's what candles used to be made of. But most of us don't have soy-based candles either. ‍ Let's talk about candles a bit Most modern-day candles are made with paraffin. Remember those VOCs mentioned earlier on? When burned, paraffin releases VOCs like benzene and toluene. Since no one wants to get cancer from those carcinogens, just toss those. Be better than Yankee Candle. ‍ Up to 8% of candle manufacturers still use lead in there wicks. Yes, lead. The same lead that gave Romans brain plaque because they used it to make their pipes. Know what happened to the Roman's? Exactly. ‍ Also, keep in mind that most fragrances in candles are not great for you. Here's the general rule: burning produces some level of smoke that is bad to breathe in. Even incense (sorry yogis). ‍ Here's a better idea: add some essential oils to your air filters to give your whole home a fresh, natural scent. You could use a diffuser, but then you wouldn't be able to take advantage of (shameless plug) a subscription home air filter delivery service. ‍ If you do use essential oils in a diffuser, always be sure to use purified water. Using tap water can actually make the air you're breathing in pretty toxic as well. ‍ Get a handle on VOCs You've heard of people going "all natural" with their house, switching to safe cleaners and cosmetics. There's also been a significant rise in all natural, safe carpet cleaning and dry cleaning. Seems these people are onto something. According to the American Lung Association, VOCs can be found in products like: Aerosol spray products, including health, beauty and cleaning products Air fresheners Chlorine bleach Detergent and dishwashing liquid Dry cleaning chemicals Rug and upholstery cleaners Furniture and floor polish Oven cleaners ‍ Of course, VOCs can be found in a lot of places, but finding VOC-free alternatives to these products will help to make your home a whole lot safer for you and your family. You may end up spending more, but health is worth it. For help finding healthy products, EWG is the closest thing you may find to an exhaustive guide. ‍ Planning to embark on a home improvement project? Make sure the materials you or a contractor are using are non-VOC (free of VOCs). For example, paint can be a common VOC culprit. ‍ Keep the pollen outside The easiest thing to do (other than regularly replacing your air filters) is keeping the pollen outside. ‍ Simple things like: Keep your car in the garage, so it collects less pollen. Wipe your feet off on a mat when you get inside. At the very least, take your shoes off when you get inside before tracking pollen inside. Your body (and floors) will thank you. If you have a mudroom, take advantage of that by taking your shoes off and leave them in there. Clean up after being outside. Put your clothes in the washer and shower the pollen off you—your hair is an especially problematic pollen magnet! Men, it may be time to shave that beard. Clean your pets as often as they'll let you. When they come inside, they are going to bring in A LOT of pollen (not to mention all their common allergens). Use a bagless vacuum and use it often. Bagless or canister vacuums often have HEPA filters and are easy to empty outside, ensuring all the dust, dander, and pollen you collect is safely disposed of outside. Keep your windows and doors closed. It's as simple as that. ‍ Newer washers have allergen and sanitize functions. If you have allergies, you might want to use these if regular wash cycles don't do the trick. ‍ We're not trying to give you a massive list of to-dos; instead, this should just give you options to choose from. In this busy, always-on world, adding one more to-do isn't worth it. So pick what works for you, and legitimately, use Second Nature to mark replacing your air filters off your to-do list forever. It's worth it for everyone, but especially allergy sufferers. ‍ All that to say, remember that spring is still a beautiful time of year so enjoy it when you can. Stay sniffle-free, friends!

Calendar icon February 6, 2023

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Foldable Filter FAQ

Congrats! You’ve been selected to receive our brand new, foldable air filter. This innovative new filter is super easy to use. Its unique design allows for a more compact shipping size. This means we’re able to greatly reduce the amount of cardboard and materials used, helping us be more ecologically efficient and less wasteful. 1. Why did you change to this new filter? Air filters were past overdue for an upgrade. This is the first time the residential air filter has been redesigned in 30 years! Why settle? Here at Second Nature we’re always looking to improve and innovate to provide the best product for our customers. 2. This filter looks really different. How will it perform? There should be no noticeable change in performance between this filter and the classic framed filter you have been receiving from us. It will continue to filter pollen, dust, mold, bacteria, mites, & pet dander. Rest assured, our re-designed filters have undergone rigorous testing. 3. This looks thinner than my standard 1” filter. Will this make noise when my HVAC system turns on and off? Will it rattle? Our new filter, with its cloth-covered frame, will generally be quieter than a regular filter with a hard cardboard frame. 4. How often do I need to change this new filter? Just like our regular filters, this one should last for 90 days, though environmental factors and personal preferences play a part. If you live in a climate that has you running your HVAC most or all of the time, it’s a good idea to change more often. 5. Are the new filters recyclable? The filter itself is not recyclable, but please recycle the cardboard box. 6. Which way do I put it in the vent? Where’s the arrow? Our redesigned filter can be installed facing either way! New technology allows airflow in either direction. 7. What is this filter made out of? Our new filter is a polyester fabric blend, much like conventional filters. The fabric is supported by strips of spring-tempered steel in thin sleeves of polyvinyl. 8. If I’m not ready to replace my filter yet, but already opened it, can I fold it back up? Sure. It’s a bit like pushing the joke snake back into the tennis ball can, but if you’re careful and use the original box, it should be fine. 9. What are the benefits of this filter over standard ones? The frame is more durable thanks to our unique Flex-Lock frame. A cloth-like frame can produce a tighter seal in your intake vent, helping to prevent air from sneaking around the sides of the filter. Less packaging = less excessive waste 10. How should I dispose of this filter? Simply discard it, the same way you’ve disposed of your previous filters. You can even fold it back up, and place it in an indoor trash can! Please ensure it's folded up securely to prevent the filter from unfolding. The cardboard box can be recycled. 11. My friend/sibling/neighbor wants one of these! How do I get them signed up for this filter? For now, you have exclusive access to this new product. We’ll be rolling it out to other customers gradually. 12. Is this product more environmentally friendly? By folding the filter into a more compact size, we are able to greatly reduce our packaging materials, primarily cardboard. This also means we fit a lot more filters into each truck that leaves our fulfillment center!

Calendar icon December 2, 2021

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An Easy How-to for Painting Your Home's Interior

A DIY paint job can be easy by following these steps. So you’re looking to do some wall painting? That’s easy enough, right? You just need to grab a brush and a can of paint and get started. Except that is not what you’re supposed to do, unless you want your paint job to come out looking like you just put paint in a water gun and shot it at the wall. A painting project, like any home improvement project you want to invest in, will turn out quite a bit better with a bit of planning and the right tools. Not sure what you need? Well, you’re on the right blog. Make sure to pick the right color. First comes the prep work, which is arguably the most essential part of painting a room. Before you even begin thinking about doing the actual painting, make sure you spend the appropriate amount of time picking your color. Have an idea of what color you want when you go to the store and bring back some samples. If possible, get more than one sample of each color, as the more surface area of the wall your sample takes up, the easier it will be to envision that color all around the room. The paint store people might not let you do that, but if they do, you should take full advantage. Once you’ve acquired your samples, tape them to the wall or ceiling you’re intending to paint and check them out in different lighting during different times of the day. This will allow you to see what each color looks like in all different types of light and give you time to mull over your options. ‍ After selecting a color, it’s time to choose the type of finish you’d want. There's no industry standard for paint. What one manufacturer may call flat could actually be matte and vice versa. Be sure to test the actual paint or do some research first. Flat: Flat paint is the anti-gloss and therefore the best option for covering imperfections in your wall. The downside is that the surface can easily get marked up and may need retouching on a more frequent basis. At the same time, flat paint is easy to touch up since you're not having to worry about blending to match the current shine. Nowadays, most flat paint will stand up to mild cleaning—just look for "washable" on the label. Matte: Matte paint results in an almost shine-free appearance—a little bit more gloss than flat paint. This finish is sometimes referred to as suede or velvet finish. Given it does have a little bit of gloss, it can handle slightly more cleaning than flat paint. Flat and matte are best suited for low traffic areas as they are easier to mark and scuff, while not being particularly easy to clean Eggshell: Eggshell paint has a light shine making it easy to clean but doesn’t have the smoothness factor that makes imperfections standout. Those two factors make eggshell finish paints very popular. Satin: Satin paint is the middle ground between matte and gloss. This level of shine really starts to highlight imperfections; this sacrifice makes it easier to clean. The more shine a paint has, the more glossy it is. As you move from the spectrum of no-shine to shiny, paint becomes easier to clean. Keep this in mind when you're painting kitchens or bathrooms where the walls have a high potential to become dirty. Semi-gloss: It's got that bright shine, but still not quite glossy. Semi-gloss is easy to clean and ideal for trim, cabinets, or doors. High-gloss: Gloss is the opposite end of the spectrum from flat. It provides the maximum shine for your wall which can be a really fresh look. But cool comes at a price. This finish will show every imperfection. Due to their durability, high-gloss paints are often used for doors in high-traffic areas and trim. What supplies you'll need to paint. Now that you’ve got your ideal color and finish selected, it’s time to acquire the appropriate tools. Paint: Painting a room without paint is tough. Paint roller: For covering large open spaces like walls, a roller is the most efficient tool. It will give you cleaner and more even strokes than a brush. Paint tray: A paint tray holds the paint for the roller. The roller and tray can typically be purchased together for about ten dollars. Painter’s Tape: Painter’s tape is a critical tool for any in-home paint job. Use it as a divider between the area you want to paint and any area you don’t. Painter’s tape goes on and peels off easily and will give you a nice clean straight edge. You can get this for about five bucks. Brush: If you don’t have painter’s tape, or you’re painting an area that has inward corners or places that a roller will struggle to reach, simply use a brush to touch up the edges. Often, a brush will come in the package with the roller and tray. Ladder (maybe): You might need a step stool or a step ladder if you can’t reach everything you want to paint. These will run you north of fifty dollars, but chances are you already have one. If you don’t, you should get one. It’ll last you your whole life and be useful in lots of home fixes. Drop cloth: A drop cloth will cover the floor and furniture so you can’t spill paint on either. Make sure you get a size big enough to cover everything around the area you’re painting. These are cheap and start at around four dollars. Wallpaper steamer (maybe): If you have wallpaper, you’ll need to remove it before you begin painting. Wallpaper steamers are expensive, often starting above $40, although you can buy used ones for a little less. Remove any wallpaper. Using your newly purchased wallpaper steamer, strip off any wallpaper and then thoroughly clean the walls to rid them of any dirt or grime that has built up. Next, clear everything around the areas you intend to paint and move it as far away as possible. Make the space as open as you can. Cover the floor and anything that couldn’t be moved with the drop cloth to protect it. After you’ve cleared the space and laid the drop cloth, tape the cloth down and then adhere painter’s tape to the edges of the area you will be painting. Now it’s time to get started. ‍ To prime or not to prime? Sometimes it’s necessary to apply a primer beforehand, and sometimes it’s not. Primer is meant for walls and places where an even and uniform coat are critical. Determining whether this step needs to be taken is done by determining whether there are elements of the wall you are painting that will cause the paint to dry unevenly. Are you painting drywall, which needs a coat of primer to avoid irregular drying due to its absorption qualities? A primer will help here. Has the wall been painted before? A previous coat of paint will carry out some of the functions of a primer and is often sufficient on its own. Is the wall damaged, warped, featuring an irregular surface, porous, or does it have nail holes? A primer is recommended in these situations to level out the surface and decrease the impact of any irregularities in the wall. In some situations, you can use a paint and primer mix, which can save you some money and make things move faster. If you decide a standalone primer is necessary, apply just like you would paint, ensure evenness, and then give it two to four hours to dry. Be positive that it is completely dry to the touch before proceeding. ‍ Let’s do that painting. Once you’ve decided to prime or not to prime and you’ve applied the coat if necessary, it’s time to bring your room to life. Dump that paint in that paint tray and get ready for action. First, you’ll use your brush to paint the corners and edges where you’ve applied your tape. Use a horizontal sweeping motion to ensure evenness and make sure every sweep is in the same direction. After you paint corners and edges, use your roller to cover the wall. Roll the roller through the tray of paint and then begin your roller stroke about three-quarters up the wall. Roll from there almost to the bottom, still leaving two or so feet between the edge and the end of your stroke. Once the paint on the roller has thinned to the point where it isn’t pooling on the foam, roll all the way to the top and bottom of the surface. This practice will help to ensure the most uniform coat possible. ‍ How many coats is too many coats? For wall painting, you’re probably going to need multiple coats. If you’re repainting, the number of coats required varies depending on the old color and the new color. A darker color over a lighter color will need probably no more than two, while a lighter color over a darker will need as many as five or six. In a situation that would require a significant number of coats, a primer might be useful in providing a blank and uniform canvas that cuts down on the workload. While you’re painting, it’s essential to keep in mind that paint will dry a slightly different color than when it’s first being applied to the wall. It often goes on a darker color than the samples you had taped to your wall. Don’t panic. It will dry the right color. After you’ve let your final coat dry, you’re ready to put your room back together and enjoy the ambiance of the freshly painted room.

Calendar icon November 2, 2021

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