Tips for Maintaining Home Exterior Paint

Whether you hired a painting contractor or undertook the job on your own, painting your home’s exterior can be a significant investment of your time and money. Now that the job is finished, you’ll want to lengthen the longevity of the paint as much as possible, so follow the tips below to maintain your new paint job.

Home Exterior PaintThree-coat system. Problem areas could develop due to exposure to the elements. It’s no surprise that your paint can start to peel after years of vulnerability to sun, rain, wind, and snow. It will be a good idea to put double finish coats if you have problem areas, such as peeling fascia boards or window seals on the exterior of your home. Begin with high-quality primer paint, and then follow with double coats of finish paint, hence a three-coat system. The added protection will help problem areas withstand the abuse doled out by Mother Nature.

The frequency of maintenance. External paint maintenance depends on the siding or the material used in your home. Paint on stucco lasts more than it does on the wood trim so if you have used wood siding in your home, expect to recoat more often than your neighbors who utilized stucco. Surroundings also play a vital role in the lifespan of your paint job. In milder climates, homeowners will experience more durable paint jobs than those who live in tougher climates, but in general, you should expect to recoat every six to ten years.

Pressure washing. You may notice a minor accumulation of dirt and grime on your home’s paint job after some time. Though, by pressure washing your home, this can easily be solved. It is highly recommended to pressure wash the exterior paint five years after the previous job, mainly if mildew is evident. It helps to melt atmospheric salts that build up on surfaces that the humidity or rain don’t reach. These salts can affect the adhesion of new paint. If you don’t have a pressure washer, making use of a garden hose to rinse under overhangs and porches once a year is also advantageous to your home.

Chalking paint. Over time, cheap paint breaks down faster and turns chalky, which can stimulate peeling off quickly when the surface is touched. You may need to repaint your house depending on the severity of your chalking paint. Start the repainting process by pressure stripping or hand-washing the chalky areas. Then apply a primer that is intended for chalky surfaces, and follow with a high-quality finish coat to prevent future chalking.

Dealing with mold and mildew. The growth of mold and mildew is one dilemma homeowners must deal with when trying to safeguard their exterior paint job. To prevent this problem, buy paint intended for preventing mold and mildew from advancing on any surfaces.

Preventing rot. Paint offers more than just color to the surface of your home; it helps prevent weathering and rotting of your surfaces. When painting your home or working with a contractor, be sure to coat the undersides of corner boards thoroughly. If you miss a spot or fail to paint the bottom of it, it will absorb water and cause the board to rot. Also double-check the backs, bottoms, and tops of wood shutters to make sure they are completely painted.

When properly cared for, a quality paint job will bring new life to your interior and exterior and can last for years. By doing these tips, you can keep your paint job looking fresh all through the lifetime of your investment and you will relish the look and feel of your home for years to come.