A mature woman is painting here home.
Exterior painting isn’t a project most people look forward to. It’s unlikely you can do it on your own, especially if you don’t have the necessary equipment. Even though it’s perhaps no one’s favorite home project to tackle, it needs to be done from time to time. If you can’t do it on your own or don’t want to, hiring a professional painting company can take some of the stress and burden off you.
Painting your home’s exterior can improve the curb appeal, refresh the entire look of the property, and make your home look inviting and well-maintained.
You should plan to paint the outside of your home every 5 to 10 years, although this can vary. Every home is different, and your timing can change based on the weather and general climate where you live, your home’s location. and the quality of the last paint job. If you’re in a more temperate climate, you can probably wait a decade in between exterior paint jobs. If you live somewhere in a coastal area that gets a lot of wind and moisture, you might need to repaint your home every couple of years.
How do you know it’s time for an exterior paint job?
The following are six signs you might need to paint the outside of your home.
1. The Current Paint Is Peeling or Cracking
One of the first and often most obvious signs you need a new exterior paint job is when your current paint is peeling or cracking. Flaking and chipping are also indicators. These signs are letting you know the elements are taking a toll on your current paint job.
When your paint flakes off or peels up, it’s then going to expose the underlying materials. Those materials aren’t being protected anymore, potentially leading to mold, dry rot, or mildew.
If your paint is bubbling, you also need to take action.
2. Mold or Moisture Stains
Sometimes if your house has moisture or mold stains, they can be wiped away, and they’re just surface stains. In other cases, you might have to pressure wash them.
Then, there are situations where the stains are signs of more serious underlying damage.
If your home has a stubborn stain you can’t get rid of, you might need to talk to a professional. You may be able to paint over the stain, but you could also have to replace the material, depending on how extensive the damage is.
3. Cracked Caulking
The caulking around windows and doors of a home is important because it’s a seal. If you start to see cracks in your caulking, it might be something you can repair by simply filling them in.
If you don’t deal with the issue early on, it can let moisture seep in, damaging your home.
If you notice any bigger cracks, you need to replace the caulking, and you might need to have a fresh coat of paint added.
4. The Color is Fading
When your home’s exterior paint is exposed to constant sun, snow, and rain, it’s going to fade. This is going to happen eventually, no matter what. When your paint is fading, it’s not only a cosmetic issue you might want to fix. It’s also an indicator that your paint isn’t able to provide the protection needed by your home any longer.
Take a look and if you see your color is looking flat or dull, think about getting a fresh paint job.
5. You Don’t Love the Color
Some of the reasons for repainting your home’s exterior have nothing to do with maintenance or upkeep. If you don’t love the color of your home currently, that’s as good a reason to repaint the exterior as anything else.
6. Damaged Wood or Stucco
We’ve talked above about the fact that your home’s exterior paint isn’t just about looks, although that’s part of it.
Paint is protecting the surfaces of your home, but it can’t last forever. If you see cracks in your stucco or maybe catch a glimpse of rotting in the wood that makes up your home’s structure, you need to assess the damage and take the next steps to repair the surface.
Once you repair the surface, you can move on and get a fresh coat of paint on your home’s exterior, making sure it’s fully protected from the elements.
Repainting your exterior is something professionals can do quickly, and it’s a project that’s well worth the investment.
Speak Your Mind