Householders warned 'don't do this' job tomorrow as temperatures soar
The latest spell of sunshine and warm temperatures has brought with it a chance to get the last summer gardening jobs done before the slide in autumn begins. Pruning, deadheading and planting autumn bulbs are all on the check list.
If painting the garden fence is also something you are yet to tackle however, experts are warning tomorrow (Weds 13 August) is not the time to get the paintbrushes out. And an expert at Ronseal has issued a warning to Brits to hold off on that task.
That's because painting your fence shouldn't be done in temperatures above 25C - and many parts of Scotland will exceed that tomorrow.
Glasgow, Stirling and Perth are predicted to see highs of 28C matching temperatures in Falkirk. While further north, Pitlochry, Perthshire is expected to record the highest temperatures in the country with 29C forecast.
Jedburgh and Lauder in the Scottish Borders will reach 28C while Peebles and Selkirk won't be far behind clocking 27C.
In England, temperatures are a sweltering mid-30s.
Householders in these areas are being advised that painting their fences or sheds in this weather is counterproductive.
Ronseal's brand manager and DIY expert Jimmy Englezos explained: "When painting outside, the common guidance is to not paint in wet conditions, however if the temperatures climb too high, this is also unsuitable for painting outdoors.
'One of the most common mistakes is having painted surfaces exposed to too much direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day.
"Hotter temperatures can cause the paint to dry too quickly, resulting in it not adhering sufficiently to the surface. When temperatures rise above 30°C, as they're due to reach this week across the UK, the paint can end up blistering, cracking, or peeling much sooner than expected."
He said if you have to paint tomorrow then planning the best time is key to getting a good finish.
Jimmy added: "To avoid these issues, if you have to paint during a heatwave, it's best to paint in the early evening when the temperature is cooler and surfaces aren't scorching hot.
"That way, you can allow the paint or stain to dry fully overnight before being exposed to high temperatures again. I would always recommend painting fences on days where temperatures are between 10°c - 25°C."
If you are looking for a fast way to paint your fences this summer, a £1 viral hack could be the answer.
The sponge method was shared on TikTok by DIY enthusiast Claire Hoops. She insisted it is 'by far the fastest' way to paint the fence.
She used a large yellow sponge, rubber gloves and dipped the sponge into the paint before spreading it over the fence in an up-and-down motion.
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