Planning to paint wooden doors? Complete these important steps before painting to prevent wood damage from termites.
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Aaj Tak
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Planning to paint wooden doors? Complete these important steps before painting to prevent wood damage from termites.

People regularly commission the painting of walls and doors to give them a fresh look, especially before holidays such as Diwali. However, even after painting, wooden doors are often infested with termites, which can completely ruin the wood.

If you plan to paint the doors in your home, it is not enough to focus only on color and shine; it is crucial to check whether the wood is infested with termites before starting the work. Sometimes a door may look fine from the outside, but termites inside can hollow it out, which is particularly dangerous for main entrance gates and their casings.

Therefore, before removing the old paint and applying new paint, several important points should be considered so that the door remains durable and you do not have to spend money on frequent repairs.

If you intend to update the appearance of old doors, first carefully inspect the bottom part and the frame. Signs of termite infestation may include earthen tunnels on the door, swelling or peeling of the paint, and the appearance of hollow sounds when tapping. Although these signs can also be caused by moisture, a thorough inspection is necessary.

It is important to understand that simply applying new paint or varnish does not eliminate the termite problem. If there are already termites in the door, appropriate treatment must be carried out based on the condition of the wood before painting. In cases of serious damage, replacement of part of the wood may be required.

When installing a new door, be sure to pre-treat the wood with special anti-termite agents. It is also necessary to ensure that the wood does not come into direct contact with the soil and to properly treat all cut edges. These measures can help reduce the risk of termite infestation.

Furthermore, it is necessary to avoid water accumulation near the door and to eliminate any dampness in the wall or floor. The time the wood remains wet should be minimized. Nevertheless, reducing humidity alone does not guarantee the complete elimination of the termite threat.

If you notice the slightest signs of termite activity on the door, you should not apply new paint to it. You must first consult a specialist for inspection and termite treatment. If the wood has become hollow inside, the frame may need to be replaced. It is also critically important to identify the source and method of termite entry to prevent recurrence of the problem.

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Correct order for preparing walls before applying paint
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Correct order for preparing walls before applying paint

Before applying any type of coating, it is essential to perform a series of preparation steps on the wall. Initially, it is necessary to remove all dirt, including dust, grease, mold, and any loose parts of the surface.

It is crucial to resolve any infiltration or moisture problems in the wall before starting to paint, since paint alone cannot solve such structural issues.

Leveling with putty and acrylic filler

To correct small irregularities and ensure the surface is smooth, putty is used. The choice of type depends on the location: putty is generally recommended for indoor environments, while acrylic filler should be used in outdoor areas or those with higher humidity incidence, following the manufacturer's instructions. After complete drying, the wall needs to be sanded to achieve a uniform texture.

Uniformizing absorption with sealer

In new walls or those that have recently received filler, the paint absorption capacity can show significant variations between different points. The use of acrylic sealer aims to reduce this disparity, helping the paint to have better yield and present a more homogeneous finish. Suvinil offers acrylic sealer in 18-liter packages within the Panorama portfolio.

Preparing fragile surfaces with primer

When dealing with old plaster that tends to shed dust when touched, the appropriate product is the primer. This material functions to stabilize these loose particles, which in turn considerably improves the adhesion of the paint to the surface. The Suvinil line offers a water-based primer.

Final application of paint

Only after all preparation steps are completed should you proceed with applying coats of paint, always strictly respecting the drying time specified on the package. It is important to note that each phase of the process has a specific function, and neglecting any of them is a common cause for needing to redo the work.

If you plan to paint your home, it is recommended to visit a Panorama store to speak with the team and discover the Suvinil line options suitable for each phase of the painting project.

Fan Cleaning Tips: How to Clean a Ceiling Fan Using a Pillowcase Before Diwali
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www.aajtak.in

Fan Cleaning Tips: How to Clean a Ceiling Fan Using a Pillowcase Before Diwali

With the approach of the Diwali festival, a general cleaning of the entire house begins. The most challenging task is often cleaning the ceiling fan, as dust and cobwebs must be removed from all corners. The process of taking down the fan and the subsequent fall of all dirt and dust onto the bed or floor causes a lot of trouble.

If you want to quickly and effortlessly tidy up your fans before this Diwali, an old and proven method will help you. Below is the simplest way to clean a ceiling fan without removing it, using an old pillowcase.

Fan Cleaning Tips:

First, take any old cotton or microfiber pillowcase that you no longer use. Then, standing on a stable ladder or chair, carefully insert one fan blade into this case so that the blade is completely inside, similar to how a pillow is covered with a case.

After that, grab the open end of the case with both hands and gently pull it outwards. With this movement, all the black dust and dirt settled on the blade will remain inside the case. Not a single particle of dust will fall onto the floor or objects below.

The same procedure should be repeated for all other fan blades. For a final shine, if there are greasy spots or stubborn stains remaining on the fan after removing the dry dust, you can wipe the fan with a damp cloth containing a small amount of vinegar or liquid soap. This will make the fan look brand new and shiny.

Advantages of Painting Water Tanks: Sun Protection and Extended Service Life
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www.aajtak.in

Advantages of Painting Water Tanks: Sun Protection and Extended Service Life

Water tanks are often installed on rooftops in the open air, and weather affects them, which in turn affects the water stored inside. Because of this, some people decide to paint the tank externally. Experts state that painting the tank brings significant benefits and is a necessary action.

According to specialists, for plastic or metal tanks installed on a roof, paint serves as a kind of protective barrier. An experienced specialist who has been in the business of water tanks for a long time provided a lot of useful information on this topic.

Repainting the tank prevents the water from heating up to boiling point during hot summer days due to intense sunlight. If white or reflective lacquer is used on the outer surface of the tank, it will reflect the sun's rays. This prevents the temperature inside the tank from rising, and the water remains relatively cool.

During the winter period, painting a water tank contributes to increasing its service life. Paint or thermal insulation coating protects the water from excessive cooling or freezing, preventing direct exposure to cold air and fog on the tank, which helps prevent the water from reaching icy or freezing temperatures.

Plastic tanks become brittle, rigid, and prone to cracking over time due to constant exposure to strong sun and ultraviolet radiation. Applying a layer of paint protects the plastic from direct sunlight, significantly increasing the tank's service life.

Painting all types of tanks is important because light penetrating through plastic causes green mold to form inside the tank. Applying dark or light-blocking paint to the outer surface prevents light from entering, thereby reducing the risk of mold and bacteria proliferation in the water.

If the tank is made of iron or steel, the paint protects it from rust, keeping it safe from moisture and air. For concrete or cement tanks, there are special waterproof paints that eliminate problems with leaks and dampness.

It is extremely important to always paint the exterior of the tank white or a very light color. Dark or black shades absorb solar heat, leading to even greater water heating. Furthermore, ordinary paint must never be applied to the interior surface of a drinking water tank. Only certified expert coatings or food-grade coatings should be used for internal painting, as regular paints can release chemicals into the water.

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