Surveying the site
Whether Internal or External, there are some basic rules to follow. When surveying a site building, you need to identify the substrates in need of redecoration and decide which coating system is suitable.
- Start at the top of the room/building/elevation and work to the floor/ground.
- Use generic building component names which others can understand. Write everything down and don't rely on remembering what you have seen when you go to write your specification.
- It is often better to work methodically by breaking up the different types of substrates into groups, e.g. wood, metal, masonry, plastic, etc. A simple Site Survey Table could be used to record this type of information, as shown below:
- Project
- 20 Acacia Avenue, Front elevation
- Severity of Exposure
- Moderate
- Internal/External
- External
| Building Area | Substrate | Previous Coating | Condition of surface | Preparation required | Finish required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainwater goods | Ferrous Metal | Gloss Paint | Slight rusting to Re1 | Scrape back and rub down | Gloss |
| Walls | Render | Water-based Masonry Paint | Very good | Wash down | Water-based Masonry Paint |
| Plinths | Concrete | Gloss Paint | Flaking badly | Full Strip | Gloss |
| Window frames | Softwood | Woodstain | Slight flaking | Wash and rub down | Varnish |
- Don't assume that one elevation is exactly the same as another.
- Find out when the job will actually be painted. A specification written for the conditions on site during inspection may not be relevant in 6-12 months later due to weathering conditions.
- Pay particular attention to the severity of exposure that the paint coating will be subject to.
- Perform as many tests as possible to confirm the types of coatings/substrates you have or think you have on site.
- Note any design flaws or serious building problems which may affect the coating system you specify, e.g. water traps, sharp edges on joinery, structural movement cracks, leaks, etc.