DRJ PAINTING

It’s the finishing touch that frames your home. Freshly painted gutters, fascias (the boards behind the gutters), and eaves (the underside of your roof overhang) can instantly make a house look sharper, cleaner, and well-maintained. It’s a job that often gets overlooked, but failing to protect these areas can lead to rot and rust. While it involves working at heights, painting your roofline is a manageable DIY project that provides a massive visual impact. With a focus on safety and thorough preparation, you can achieve a crisp, professional finish.

Safety First: Working at Heights

Before you even think about paint, think about safety. This is a job that requires working on a ladder for extended periods.

• Use a Quality Ladder: Ensure you have a sturdy, stable extension ladder. Always maintain three points of contact (e.g., two feet and one hand) on the ladder at all times.
• Never Overreach: It’s tempting to stretch to paint that last little bit, but this is how accidents happen. Always move the ladder instead. Your belt buckle should never go past the side rails of the ladder.
• Check for Hazards: Be aware of any overhead power lines near your roofline before you start.

Phase 1: The Essential Clean and Prep

Gutters and fascias are constantly exposed to the elements, collecting dirt, pollen, leaf tannins, and pollution. You must remove all of this for your new paint to last.

1. Clean Out the Gutters: First, remove all leaves, dirt, and debris from inside the gutters. A trowel and a stiff brush work well. Flush them out with a hose to ensure the downpipes are clear.
2. Wash Everything Thoroughly: The most effective way to clean is with a pressure washer on a gentle setting. If you don't have one, use a bucket of Sugar Soap, a stiff scrubbing brush, and a hose. Scrub every surface – gutters (inside and out), fascias, and eaves – to remove all grime and chalky, oxidised paint.
3. Treat Any Rust or Bare Metal: If your gutters have any spots of surface rust, you must treat them. Sand the rust back to bare, clean metal, then immediately apply a coat of a specialised metal primer to prevent it from returning.
4. Scrape and Sand: Scrape away any flaking or peeling paint from timber fascias or eaves. Sand these areas and any glossy old paint to create a dull surface for the new paint to grip.

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Phase 2: The Painting Process

With everything clean, dry, and stable, you're ready to apply your finish. Using the right paint is crucial for longevity.


• Choose the Right Paint: Always use a premium 100% acrylic exterior paint, like Dulux Weathershield. For gutters and fascias, a Semi-Gloss finish is the professional standard. It provides excellent durability and its smooth surface helps repel dirt and makes it easier to clean. For eaves, a Low Sheen or Flat exterior paint is ideal as it helps to hide imperfections.
• Masking (Optional but Recommended): To get the sharpest possible lines, consider running painter's tape along the edge of the roof tiles and along the top of the wall where it meets the eaves.
• Paint in the Right Order: Work from the top down. If you're painting all three, paint the eaves first, then the fascias, and finally the gutters.
• Use a Brush for a Smooth Finish: A good quality 50-63mm brush is the best tool for this job. It gives you great control and allows you to work the paint into all the corners and edges. Use long, even strokes to minimise brush marks.
• Apply Two Coats: For maximum protection against the Australian sun and weather, two full topcoats are essential. Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying the second.

Pro Tip from a Sydney Painter

Painting rooflines is a job that requires a strong focus on safety and a head for heights. The preparation can be tedious, especially cleaning out years of gutter grime. As professionals, we are fully equipped with the correct safety harnesses and equipment to work at heights safely and efficiently. We use specialised primers for any bare metal to guarantee a long-lasting, rust-free finish. For a perfectly crisp and durable frame for your home, trust the experienced team at DRJ Painting to handle the heights for you.