How to Extend the Life of Your Exterior House Paint

With spring in full swing and summer quickly approaching, homeowners are assessing the condition of their yards, their outdoor furniture, how their roof survived the winter and the big question on their minds…does my house need to be repainted?

Painting the exterior of your home is a considerable investment, not only financially but also in the amount of time it takes. And unfortunately, even the best of paint jobs don’t last forever.

What are the signs that your house needs a paint job?

• “Chipping and peeling paint” are the most evident signs to look for. When you see this happening, you know that the wood on our home is no longer being protected as it should and is exposed to the elements, leaving it vulnerable to sun damage and rot from sprinklers, rain and snow. If this isn’t handled in a reasonable amount of time, the siding on your home will most likely need to be replaced. (That’s even more expensive than a good paint job!)
• Mold and mildew on your house is another indicator you could have a problem. Once they take hold on the wood, it may take a good pressure wash to remove them, which might lead to your paint job being removed as well.
• Run your hands along the painted surface of your home. If a chalky residue is left on your hands (called chalking), it is probably a sign that the paint is oxidizing or breaking down.
• Check the caulking. If it has failed, you will not only experience energy loss from your home, but the wood siding is left exposed to weather and insects.

Maintain the Exterior Paint

With a good paint job and a little maintenance, you should be able to extend the life of your exterior paint and avoid the need to repaint too soon and too often.

• Do it or have it done right the first time. It might take a little more time, it might cost a little more money, but in the long run it will be a big savings.
  • Be sure your house is properly prepped before painting
  • Buy only quality outdoor paint
  • Use a 3-coat system, especially in areas that are exposed to the most extreme weather. 1 coat of quality primer and 2 coats of finishing paint.
• Washing your house down with a garden hose periodically is good for your paint…this will help rinse off particles dirt and atmospheric salts and keep them from accumulating.
• Watch for mildew and mold growth…they are a fungus and can do considerable damage if not cleaned off as soon as possible.
• When you see dirt, mold or mildew growing and building up on the side of your house, pressure washing can be very helpful. Be careful not to damage the paint or the siding by using pressure that is too high and intense. It might be advisable to hire a professional who not only has the right equipment, but understands how to use it correctly to protect your house.
• Watch for little cracks or blisters in your paint, if sanded, patched, primed and repainted quickly, you can avoid further damage which could lead to an earlier than necessary need to paint.

These are some pretty basic guidelines for preserving the life of your paint, but a little maintenance can save you a lot of time and money.

If the exterior of your home is beginning to show signs of wear and tear, it’s probably time to have it repainted. It is a big job, and one that many homeowners don’t want to do themselves.

Give us a call for a free estimate – (425) 888-3634

Claffey’s Painting is a full service painting contractor serving Western Washington, Chelan, Douglas and Kittitas Counties. We have painted over 7000 homes and would enjoy the opportunity to help paint yours. We can guide you through all the decision making processes so you get the right paint for the right job, and the professional job you’re looking for.