Does Your Home Require Exterior Painting?

Exterior painting is one of the most critical factors affecting the resale value of a property, we cannot stress enough the importance of repainting the exterior at the first sign of deterioration of the old coat. Why? Repainting the exterior will allow you not only to maintain your home’s curb appeal but also to protect it against the elements.

How often should you paint your home’s exterior? As a general rule, you should expect to repaint every 5 to 10 years. However, a series of factors, ranging from the quality of the previous paint job and level of maintenance performed to outdoor elements (e.g. sunlight, temperature variations, relative humidity, etc.), may damage exterior coatings sooner. For instance, if you live in Atlanta, GA, which is characterized by lots of sunshine and high moisture levels, you may need to repaint your exterior within five years to keep your home in top-notch shape.

Signs Your Home Needs Exterior Painting  

Recognizing early signs of paint failure, identifying and addressing underlying causes, and repainting the exterior can help avoid serious problems, such as water ingress and mold growth. Common signs that indicate it’s time for exterior painting are:

• Cracking: Superficial cracks usually occur when paint loses flexibility due to the natural aging process or exposure to the elements. The good news is that you don’t need to repaint the whole wall if there are just a few cracks. You can fix the cracks using the right filler, sand repair areas, apply an appropriate primer, let it dry, and repaint only those areas.
• Chipped, blistering, or peeling paint: Chipped, blistering, or peeling paint is the result of normal wear, localized loss of adhesion, and/or moisture accumulation in walls. If the main cause of paint deterioration is normal wear, repainting the exterior can help you restore your home’s beautiful appearance. If deterioration is due to the other factors, identifying and solving underlying causes before painting can help prevent problems from recurring.
• Chalking: Occurring naturally, chalking defines the formation of a fine, white powder that eventually appears on all painted walls. Chalking may form sooner when inexpensive paints that often contain low-quality resins that fail to bind color pigments to other ingredients are used.
• Damp areas: Damp areas can result from exposure to excessive moisture or water. Repairing cracks and leaks, unclogging gutters, and repainting the exterior could help eliminate damp areas, and prevent mold growth.
• Exposed or rotted wood: Exposed or rotted wood is another sign that your house needs to be repainted. Wood decay usually occurs when wood comes in contact with moisture or water, attracting certain species of fungi.

Tips to Make Your Exterior Paint Job Last

Keeping your home in good condition for a long time is easier than it may seem. Here are some tips to help you out:

• Inspect and maintain exterior painted surfaces regularly
• Look for early signs of deterioration and fix them as they occur
• Repaint your home’s exterior as often as necessary to prevent excessive wear and tear; waiting too long may result in extensive damage and higher costs
• Always clean surfaces before priming and painting
• Use the right products for your climate and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you’re looking for a professional, reputable painting and remodeling service provider, contact us at Brownlow & Sons.

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