Extending the Life of Your Home’s Exterior Paint Finish
Most homes should be repainted every five to ten years, costing homeowners thousands of dollars. A quality paint job not only looks nice, but protects the siding and trim from water damage and bug infestation (like those nasty carpenter bees!) There are ways to ensure you get the maximum life out of your painting investment. First, choose the best quality paint. Good paint lasts longer. Make sure it is exterior grade. Either oil or latex are fine. Some painters prefer oil for exterior work. Just keep in mind the dry time is longer and the clean up requires special care. If you are doing the work yourself, make sure the siding is free from dirt, debris, and loose paint chips before you begin. Also use the best caulking you can get for use around the windows, doors, and trim. Cheap caulking will dry out faster and crack, causing water damage and allowing the water to leach behind the siding. When there is moisture behind the siding the sun will pull it through and cause the paint to blister and peel. Walls that receive full sun exposure will deteriorate the quickest and will need to be repainted more often. Planting trees and shrubs to create shade will extend the life of the paint on full sun exposure walls, but too much shade may then create the problem of mildew. Mildew is a living organism that eats paint, shortening its life. Well shaded homes should be pressure washed every two years to remove mildew. Pressure washers can be rented at home improvement stores or other equipment rental sites. Be sure to use the right setting so as not to damage the paint and siding. A professional paint contractor will be happy to inspect your house at no charge in hopes of getting your business. It is a good idea to do this every 2 years. They often find problems you don't. Summer is a great time to get moving on your painting project. Paint does not dry well in temperatures below 40 degrees, so save this project for spring through fall. Following these few tips may cost you some time and money now, but can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in repairs down the road. Happy painting!
