how much decorating to do before new carpet is laid?

want2bmortgage3

i'm concentrating on my 2 bedrooms at the moment. both are empty and are due for new carpets in the next week. i have this week off and trying to get them ready for the carpets, but i'm unsure how many things to do.

the ceilings are stippled artex and fairly clean, the room hasnt been smoked in. i cant really afford to have them skimmed over so i was just going to leave them as they are.

i have painted the walls which has hidden a lot of minor imperfections although where i removed some trunking and the paint peeled with it, on close inspection you can see the area where the paint peeled. there is a lip around the edge. i am thinking of applying some fine filler over these areas then sanding it down to match the surrounding area?

along the bottom of the walls are radiator pipes, which are grotty, whoever 'decorated' last just used the same paint as the walls and painted over the plastic clips, and only the front of the pipes. some of the paint is cracked and some is lumpy. do i sand down and paint again? also replace the clips holding the pipes? they are held in by screws/raw plug so can replace easy.

the skirting and bit round the doors again is clean but not perfect. however, i absolutely hate painting with gloss wood paint. i am not patient enough and end up making a mess.

the radiator has a thick coat of emulsion, which is bubbling in areas, as i prodded some of it and it peels off. just my luck though its not all coming off easily. i think i am just going to touch up the area i disturbed as trying to scrape paint of the radiator and sand it seems like a lot of effort for not much reward.

any tips on how far to go with the above jobs before i get the carpet fitted? i am really losing interest in diy, its just so labourious and i'd rather be doing other things?!

wallbash

You have a week ... so NO excuses:D
Looks a good list and I agree with nearly all. Rad pies paint and new clips :j

The only exception is the rad! you cant hide it ( too expensive for a box ??)
Sand down and paint it ALL , cant be such a big job in a bedroom.

Smithills

Get as much done as possible. No matter how careful you are, inevitably there will be spillage- and then your lovely new carpet will be a lovely new carpet with a big blob of paint on it. I had to paint my rad- really tedious, but looks so much better. I agree with Wallbash- concentrate on this and do a really good job. If you have a Dulux Decorating Centre nearby (for both trade and DIY), go and buy a sticky cloth, about £1.50 + VAT- great for getting every last bit of dust off before painting- it's the only place I've found that still sells them. Gloss is a swine to do well- try eggshell or satin. I got this from Dulux as well- trade formulation, seems to cover well in just one coat, assuming you've rubbed down well.

Get new clips from Wilkinsons or Wickes- they'll look much better than resurrecting the old ones. Old woodwork can often be much improved with a quick wash down with a mild sugar-soap solution. I always sweep, vacuum and the mop the floor before new carpets go down- just to kill as much dust as possible. But then I'm living in a dust palace!;)

Additionally, you will generate dust from whatever work you're doing, be dragging a ladder over it, tool boxes, dirty work shoes etc. Where are you going to put your cup of tea to keep it safe when you're admiring your handiwork?!

I'm doing my dustpalace up at the moment. It's hard work, but having just finished my first room- with lovely new carpet, it's well worth it.

want2bmortgage3

thanks for replies! the prob with the radiator is the coat of paint on there is so thick , and you can try to chip it off but only to an extent. then you are left with an edge which is too thick to blend in by sanding it! any ideas ? i think it would be less work to buy a new rad!!

andrew-b

Smithills wrote: »

If you have a Dulux Decorating Centre nearby (for both trade and DIY), go and buy a sticky cloth, about £1.50 + VAT- great for getting every last bit of dust off before painting- it's the only place I've found that still sells them.

I got a sticky cloth from B&Q...for £1.18 including VAT. The packets they come in always tear...but i found maltesers resealable packets (after eating maltesers first obviously!) are best for storing them and then seal again in a plastic container (from a sainsbury's indian takeaway that held the rice!). I use "between coats" fine grade sandpaper to sand down wooden surface first, then a damp cloth, then finally the sticky cloth, then paint and do the same between each coat. Well worth the extra effort IMO.

To the OP...as much as possible. Personally i would leave laying carpet to last as you have to be so careful not to spill paint..though the carpet fitters will then probably knock your lovely freshly painted skirting boards so you can't win!

tomstickland

You need to do all the painting before having carpets fitted.

wallbash

This is ment to be a money saving forum!!!

quote i think it would be less work to buy a new rad!!

Well .... have you priced a new one

( to save your blushes , the new one would be more efficient and pay for it self over time ... 100years :rolleyes: )

Small rads from £15 plus fitting

lawrie28

I know someone who repainted the whole ceiling in an old house that had not been decorated since the 1930's (well that was the date on the newspaper used to line the wallpaper) he got down from the ladder to admire his handiwork and watched the whole ceiling gently peel itself off. the wet paint and extra weight pulled down the old plaster. His only consolation? the new carpets had not been fitted yet!!