While most experts recommend repainting your home’s exterior every 5-10 years, there isn’t a firm timeline for every home. The timing will vary depending on several factors, including your climate and the quality of the previous paint job. It may be time to repaint your home’s exterior if you notice any of the following problems:
1. Fading Paint
Regardless of the quality of your exterior paint, the color will begin to fade over time. Homes painted with high-quality paint and proper painting techniques tend to fade more evenly. If not, the paint may fade in certain areas and not in others. Darker paint colors tend to fade quicker than lighter shades. Once your paint starts to fade, it will soon be time to repaint.
2. Bubbling or Peeling Paint
Peeling and bubbling paint isn’t just unsightly; it leaves your home exposed to the elements. If rain or snow is allowed to infiltrate wood siding, it can lead to mold, mildew, and rot. If these issues are in a small isolated area, you may be able to touch them up quickly. More often than not, when your paint begins to bubble or peel, it’s best to repaint the entire house.
3. Chalking Paint
Over time, any paint will begin to break down when exposed to the elements. Before your exterior paint begins to crack or peel, you will first notice chalking – a fine powder that rubs off easily. Besides exposure to the elements, chalking can also be caused by using poor quality paint or the wrong type of paint. Chalking causes paint to fade and lose its protective properties.
4. Cracked Caulking
Caulk is the material used to seal the joints between two surfaces. Cracks or breaks in caulk occur over time as it begins to lose its elasticity and can no longer do its job. Check the caulk around windows, doors, and other joints several times a year. Moisture, insects, and other pests can easily invade your home when you have loose or cracked caulking.
5. Moisture Problems
Weak paint coverage leaves wood siding vulnerable to water damage. If you spot moisture stains, mildew, or other surface stains, it’s essential to act quickly. In some cases, your siding may only need a thorough cleaning. If your home has black or gray spots, you likely have mildew or algae caused by excessive moisture or poor air circulation. Mildew and algae build-up can lead to mold and rot, resulting in costly repairs. Before repainting, locate the cause of the excess moisture and have the problem corrected.
6. Personal Preference
Maybe you’ve purchased a home and don’t like the current paint color. You may just be tired of your home’s existing colors and are ready for a new look. Updating your home’s exterior with a new coat of paint can quickly update and transform the look of your home.
7. You’re Ready to Sell
You only have one chance to make a first impression. Your exterior paint job will have either a positive or negative impact on potential buyers. A fresh coat of paint will make your home look newer and more appealing. A professional exterior paint job can significantly increase your home’s value when it’s time to sell.
What Impacts Your Paint’s Lifespan?
Deciding when it’s time to repaint your home’s exterior can be a difficult decision. Several important factors impact the lifespan of exterior paint. You can expect to repaint a house in a cold, windy coastal area every two or three years. A property in a more temperate climate may be able to wait ten years before needing a new paint job.
Paint Quality: There are high and low-quality paints, and it’s no surprise that high-quality products usually last much longer than cheaper products. When it’s time to repaint your home, invest in premium paint products, and you won’t have to worry about repainting as frequently.
Location: The paint on coastal beach homes tends to fade and wear quicker. This is because of the intense UV rays, salty sea air, and windy conditions.
Climate: Hot versus cold, dry versus wet, and other climate factors impact the lifespan of exterior paint. Exterior paint in mild temperate climates generally lasts the longest.
Weather: Rain, hail, and snow cause the most damage to exterior paint. If your region is mild and sunny most of the time, your exterior paint will last longer. If your region experiences extreme weather conditions, inspect your exterior paint frequently for signs of damage.
Why Is the Exterior Paint on Your Home So Important?
Your home’s exterior paint is the first layer of protection for your home. It helps protect your home from the weather, insects, and other damaging elements. Of course, paint enhances and beautifies your home as well. Keeping your home’s paint job updated for functional and aesthetic reasons is vital. If you’re wondering if it’s time to repaint your home’s exterior, talk to a professional paint contractor. They can assess your current paint job and help you decide if a new paint job is needed. A professional painting crew can quickly and safely complete an exterior paint job and for far less money than you might anticipate.
Hire a Professional Painting Company
Walla Painting is a locally owned business that specializes in residential painting. Our fully insured, bonded, and skilled painters can handle any project. We are proud to have received Angie’s List Super Service Award 10 years in a row for our customer service and detailed workmanship.
Walla Painting serves Carmel, Westfield, Zionsville, Noblesville, Fishers, and McCordsville homeowners. We offer residential interior and exterior painting and cabinet and trim painting. Contact us online or at (317) 505-0894 for a free estimate.