Having trouble painting the high gable end of your home in Eugene, Oregon? The high gable end of your home can be a tricky place to access when you want to paint or carry out general maintenance. Unfortunately, this very difficult to access the high end of the house always needs re-painting even if the rest of the house is looking ok. But why?
A high gable end of a house is often found on a split-level house or a 2-3 story house. Many times, it’s a wall that is forgotten about, especially if it is not in view, or maybe down a side alleyway. Most exterior gable end wall surfaces are often at the receiving end of harsh weather elements such as wind-driven rain and extended sunlight exposure.
With that in mind, it’s not difficult to understand why your gable end and high peaks of your split level or multi-story home will require more frequent paint jobs than the rest of your home. Painting your own home may not only save you some money on labor, but it’s also satisfying to stand back at the end of each day and see what you’ve accomplished
However, exterior painting almost always requires the use of ladders, and if your house has a gable end, this task can be quite daunting. To make your paint job successful and safe, here are some tips and guidelines you should consider following.
Using a Ladder
In nearly all the cases, you will require an extension ladder to access a high gable. Consider buying or renting (or borrowing) a painters’ extension ladder that is long enough to reach the highest point of your gable. Trying to use a shorter ladder will have you stretching to reach the areas to be painted, and that can be risky.
Check to see that the ladder you plan to use is in a perfect working condition with no bent side rails and rungs, and the locking mechanism is intact. Position your ladder about one-quarter of the extended length away from the wall, on level ground.
If your house is located on sloping or uneven ground, you might want to rent or buy ladder levelers. Different types of levelers work differently, some attach to the ladder rails so you can adjust the feet to compensate for uneven ground, and others provide a secure level platform that you can place your ladder on.
When setting up your ladder, always make sure that the ladder is within a comfortable reach. Set it up at a height that is just below the area you need to paint. Your body should always be centered on the ladder while still being able to effectively work on the areas that you want to scrap and paint. To maintain your balance, always keep one hand on the ladder and work using the other hand. You may also want to get a paint can hook and secure your paint can at a convenient spot on the ladder when painting.
Brush and Sprayer Extenders
Sometimes you may not get just the height of a ladder that will reach your gable, other times the tricky configuring and location of your gable, such as above the garage, may make it difficult to fully utilize your ladder. In this case, an extension tool can be a great helping hand, literally.
You can purchase a brush extender, which allows you to clip the brush securely to the end of an extension pole. For spraying, use a spray tip extender. This is a lightweight metal tube that attaches to the spray gun. So you essentially need to screw the spray rip at the end of the extender and you will be able to reach high areas.
Gables on Split-Level Homes
Accessing gables on split-level homes can be particularly tricky, especially if your house is on a slope. If you can get away with accessing the gable on your split-level home by walking on the roof –that’s ok. But just be sure to do so in the morning before the roof becomes hot. Some gables can also be accessed via the window, which saves you the hassle of setting up a ladder. Be sure to place some drop cloths or a painters’ canvas on the roof to protect it from paint drips and spills.
Bottom Line
High exterior gables are some of the hardest to access areas that make DIY painting a nightmare. While the above tips might help make the process a little easier and safer, it’s probably still a good idea to hire a painting contractor for such delicate projects.