Regularly painting outdoor surfaces has benefits beyond its cosmetic appeal. A well-executed painting effort can protect your property from the elements and keep it looking like new for years to come. But how can you know if this is time to repaint the walls? If you’re not sure whether it’s time to give your property residential painting, here are three signs indicating that it is.
Gradual loss of color
It could be easy to dismiss the seriousness of long-term color loss caused by exposure to UV light. Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet radiation destroys the chemical makeup of paints and coatings. In this way, a dull, washed-out effect on exterior surfaces is the first indicator of paint film erosion. Contact residential painting professionals to get your home’s exterior repainted if the paint has faded.
Important to know:
A lighter hue will retain its vibrancy for longer than a darker one. Fading’s effects on colors change over time, making estimations difficult. One technique to determine the extent of fading is to compare the original paint specimen or any residual paint to the finished paint job.
In certain circumstances, the discoloration is due to the presence of chalky residue. Excessive chalking of paint films removes that layer of protection, leaving the underlying substrate exposed to the elements. Any chalky residue suggests it’s time to repaint the outside.
Paint flaking or peeling
In the event that you discover any flaking or cracking paint anywhere in your property, it is imperative that you have it repainted immediately. These components will continue to deteriorate so long as they are exposed to the environment, such as precipitation and sunlight. If you put off repairing your home’s damaged exterior for too long, it could compromise the structure. There will be a plethora of costly repairs that will need to be made as time goes on.
Interesting fact:
Damage to the paint coating on your home means that it is no longer functioning as intended (i.e., shielding the underlying structure from the elements). This leaves the underlying structure of your home vulnerable to attack by wood-eating fungus.
Mold
It’s not uncommon for buildings in the Sunshine State to suffer from mildew, mold, and water stains. Although unsightly, discolorations may be warning signs of a more dangerous issue for your health. Painting professionals advise that once the causes of the mold, mildew, including water stains have been addressed, the affected areas of the home should be repainted immediately.
Important information
Eliminating mildew and mold is possible, but only with the right chemicals. It doesn’t matter if you use anti-mold paint or not; covering up mold spores with fresh paint will only make the problem worse.
Mold development is just one of the many consequences of water damage. It’s important to check for things like water leakage, clogged gutters, broken walls, and leaking roofs before beginning any painting project.
Your home’s exterior paint could survive for many years. Bear in mind that there is a time limit on how long a coating system will protect something. In comparison to the seven to ten year lifespan of high-quality paint, the average durability of cheap paint is only six years. Even if there is no visible evidence of damage, you should repaint your property if you know the type of paint that was used.
