How To Tell When It Is Time To Paint The Exterior Of Your Home

If you aren’t sure if you need to repaint the exterior of your home, then there are steps you can take to not only find out if now is the right time to be painting your property, but to also find out if the weather is ideal. Take a look below to find out more.

Paint that is Fading or Discolored

Faded or discolored paint isn’t just a sign that your paint is old. It can also indicate that you have some lingering issues beneath the surface. Sure, paint does fade over time if it is constantly exposed to bright sunlight, but if your paint is fading even on the shaded parts of your home, then this can indicate that you have an even bigger issue on your hands. It may mean that you have water intrusion for example. If this is the case, then you may see some water stains dripping down the side of your home. You need to call an expert to sort out this issue before you try and repaint it. If you notice that the farmhouse yellow paint that you used a few years ago is now looking more beige, then this could be because your paint has faded. Either way, if this is the case, you are certainly due a new paint job.

Cracked or Flaking Paint

If you know that you live in an area that is known for humid summers or even cold winters, then you may notice cracked or bubbling paint. If you look deeper, then you may see issues such as wet rot, or mold. Be sure to replace any damaged wood or material before you paint because paint is not able to stick to rotted wood, and painting before this is sorted will result in you having an even bigger issue on your hands. Either way, cracked and flaking paint is a major sign that you need to repaint your home. You will need to prepare the surface before applying new paint, if you want to stop the same issue occurring again

You Intend to Sell

Another reason why people tend to paint their home is because they intend to sell. If you are thinking about listing your home on the market, then this is something that you should really be thinking about. If you don’t, then you may end up making a bad impression on whoever comes to view your home. You may also find that you end up lowering the overall value of your home. By giving the exterior of your home a good paint job, you can avoid all of this, making your home much more appealing while also helping it to stand out from the other properties on the market. This is especially if you hire a professional, as they can advise you on the best colors to paint your home and they can also help you to get that nice, smooth finish that is synonymous with curb appeal.

Shrinking or Damaged Caulk

You may also see that a lot of the caulk around your windows or your doors is damaged. If this is showing signs of wear, then you may want to think about repainting. Many house painters tend to redo the caulk as part of the job. Either way, you have to remember that caulk is able to expand and contract over time, and when this happens it can lose its elasticity. If this is the case with your home, then this is a strong sign that you are probably due a new paint job as well.

Your Curb Appeal is Declining

If you notice that your home isn’t looking as good as it once did, then you may want to try and get a new coat of paint put down. This will make your home look fresher and much more inviting. You may also find that it increases your home value dramatically, and this is always a good thing.

Your Home is Brand-new

Now you may be thinking, if your home is new, why would you invest in new paint? The main reason for this is because a lot of contractors will spray one coat of paint over the primed wood. They depend a lot on the primer, as they treat it as if it is an undercoat. That being said, one coat probably isn’t enough to stop any damages over time. If your home is new, then you should try and repaint it in four to six years. If you can do this, then you can probably save yourself a lot of money when compared to painting it at a later date.

Your Paint Looks Fine

Remember, you do not have to wait until your paint is showing big signs of damage before you think about hiring a professional. Painting your home before you start to see big chips can easily prevent a lot of damage to the exterior of your home. You may even find that it helps to minimize the need for doing prep at a later date. This can include recaulking, replacing the wood and scraping. All of this will lower the cost of getting the job done and it can save you a lot of effort.

You See Staining or Mold

Exterior paint is quite often damaged by things such as mold or even mildew. If you see things like this, then you may notice green, black or even red stains. Mold like this can flourish, whether you live in a hot climate or a cold one. If you have a lot of condensation on your walls, then you may find that this can also work against you. When painting your home, be sure to remove the mold there by using a bleach detergent. You can then proceed to paint it as you normally would.

What Time of Year should you Paint the Exterior of your Home?

So now you know some of the top signs that you should be looking out for when the time comes for you to paint your home. That being said, you need to make sure that you are painting it at the right time of year. If you don’t, then you may find that you end up not being able to get the best result. One good rule of thumb would be for you to avoid doing any exterior painting when the temperature drops below around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The main reason for this is because if the weather is too cold, then the paint may have a hard time adhering and this can cause it to roll off. Exterior paint can usually dry within an hour, but humidity can make things much more difficult. Ideal conditions would be for you to paint between 65- and 90-degrees Fahrenheit. If rain is on the forecast, try and avoid painting outside.

Why Hiring a Professional is Always a Good Idea

Hiring a professional to paint your home is always a good idea. A lot of people don’t know this but there are actually a lot of steps that you need to take before you go ahead and start painting your home. You will need to prepare the walls and you will also need to fill in any holes. On top of this, you will also need to prime and invest in the right equipment. One way for you to make things easier on yourself would be for you to leave it to the professionals while you focus on the more important aspects of your home.

You may think that by avoiding hiring a contractor, you can save a lot of money. Although this is true, you can usually spot the difference between a professional painter and a novice DIY painter from a mile away. A professional is far more likely to be able to choose products that suit the walls of your home, and they can also choose colors that are very much suited to the general appearance of your property.
Hiring a professional ultimately means that they are fully insured when it comes to doing their job. This can save you a lot of trouble because it means that you will be insured. If there is a lot of issues during the paint job then the painters will be able to fix it and if there is damage done, you can relax knowing that the expenses are not going to be paid by you.

All in all, painting your home is a fantastic way for you to rocket the potential of your investment and it can make a huge difference to your curb appeal. If you want to get the best result out of your paint job, then it is wise for you to try and hire a professional while also making sure that you are painting your home at the right time of the year. This can be any time, depending on where you live because as long as you aren’t painting during extreme heatwaves or cold spells, you shouldn’t have a problem.