We often hear about rough guidelines dictating how often to paint your home’s exterior, but there are number of factors that influence the longevity of a paint job:
- The substrate you are painting: wood, fiber cement, stucco, et cetera.
- The condition of the substrate you are painting…paint will last far longer on fresh wood siding than on old weathered wood siding.
- The quality of the previous paint job: thorough prep work, quality paint, et cetera.
- The climate.
There is no sense wasting money repainting just because a certain amount of time has elapsed, but you certainly shouldn’t wait until your paint is peeling either. Paint will last far longer if the substrate underneath is in good shape…once paint starts peeling, the underlying substrate will begin to weather, damaging your home and decreasing the longevity of future paint jobs.
So how often should you be focused on exterior painting? Look for these 5 signs to help you decide when it’s time to repaint regardless if you are looking for the best colours to paint your house to sell it.
5 SIGNS IT’S TIME TO REPAINT YOUR HOUSE EXTERIOR:
1. CRACKING, BUBBLING, OR PEELING PAINT
As I mentioned above, it’s always best to paint before paint starts to crack, bubble, or peel because the underlying substrate will begin to weather at this point, causing damage to your house and decreasing the longevity of future paint jobs. This is especially true in wet climates like ours in Victoria, BC.
If you can afford it, paint your exterior at the first sign of cracking, bubbling, or peeling…it will save you money in the long run!
2. CHALKING PAINT
Chalking paint is an often overlooked symptom of a failing paint job.
The colour pigments in your paint are held together by a layer of clear resin. Over time, the elements begin to breakdown the resins in your paint job, exposing the colour pigments…as they are no longer held together by the resin, they are easily wiped off. This is known as “chalking.”
To test for chalking paint, simply take an old white rag or even your finger tip and lightly run it along a weather exposed patch of paint. If any chalky coloured residue comes off, then it’s a sign that your paint job is breaking down and it’s a good time to repaint your exterior.
3. FADING PAINT
This one is simple: if your paint job is starting to look dull and faded, it’s time to start thinking about painting. This isn’t just about aesthetics: chalking and fading generally go hand in hand and are a sign that your paint is degrading.
4. CRACKED CAULKING
Caulking is used to seal moisture out of your home. If your caulking is cracking then it allows moisture to get inside your home, which can cause extensive damage. If you notice cracking caulking, it’s time to re-caulk and repaint, or at the least fill in the cracks with a bead of caulking. Note, the latter can be unsightly as it won’t match the colour of the existing paint.
5. TIME FOR A NEW LOOK
Maybe you’re just tired of your home’s appearance, bought a new home, or need to paint to maximize your home’s resale value. Our professional colour consultant will help you pick the perfect colours so you can love your home again.
EXTERIOR PAINTING
Once you’ve decided to paint the exterior of your home, it’s time to decide on a painting company for the job. Choosing the right Victoria BC paintings will ensure your paint job looks amazing and stands the test of time.
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