Whoever said that “a little preparation shows up in the end,” wasn't kidding, especially with regard to paint. Think about the last time you looked at a freshly painted room at a friend or family's home. Color is a matter of preference, but a bump, stain or other imperfection protruding through the paint all point to a lack of preparation that undermines even the most tasteful color choice.

Las Vegas home maintenance with regard to prepping a room for paint requires tenacity, but the effort you exert will spell the difference between a painting job you will be proud to show off, and one that you wish you could hide. And as experienced painters will tell you, once you're done prepping a room for paint, the “heavy lifting” will be behind you; applying the paint will be a breeze. Take these prep steps in logical order to make everyone proud:

• Remove switch plates, outlet covers, fixtures, curtain rods, door hinges and other hardware. They might look small now, but they can create huge problems once you have a paint brush or roller in your hand.
• Inspect the walls for dirt, pen and water stains, all of which will bleed through paint if left untreated. If a wet cloth doesn't remove the stains, use a mild dish soap and soft sponge.
• Remove loose or flaking paint with a putty knife. Then follow up this effort with a light sanding to create a smooth surface.
• Sand glossy areas on the walls with fine-grit sandpaper. Gloss repels paint; removing it will ensure proper adhesion.
• Inspect the walls for cracks, splinters or holes and then fill them with spackling compound. This step is simpler than it may seem; press the compound into crevices and then smooth it with a putty knife until it is flush with the surface. It doesn't matter how many “passes” it takes; no one is keeping count (and you shouldn't, either). Then sand the surface until it is smooth to the touch.
• Vacuum the walls with a soft-brush attachment and wipe them thoroughly with a tack cloth to remove sandpaper dust.
• Wash the walls with a mild detergent and either allow them to dry thoroughly or wipe them dry with a tack cloth.
• Affix painter's tape around baseboards, doors, windows and built-in cabinets. To prevent paint from seeping under the tape, use your fingers or the bowl of a spoon to press the tape tightly to the surface.
• Lay drop cloths (or old blankets) before applying a coat of stain-blocking primer – the crowning and definitive touch to your paint prep efforts.

In the end, you will be rightfully proud of your efforts – and your growing skill at Las Vegas home maintenance projects. But as the team at First Quality Roofing & Insulation well knows, one project often leads to thoughts of starting another. Essentially, this is what home ownership is all about.

So as you look around your home and see other projects looming on your horizon – roof repairs, roof replacement and attic insulation among them – keep First Quality Roofing & Insulation top-of-mind. We know full well that “a little preparation shows up in the end” – and throughout the course of any Las Vegas home maintenance project, too.