Exterior Paint and Interior Paint Upkeep

The paint is dry, the finishing touches have been made, and your CertaPro Painters job site supervisor has walked you through the space after conducting a final inspection―so now what?

“Now that you’ve taken the time to makeover your home, it’s important to take care of the work,” said Jonathan Hino, National Production Manager. “There are a few simple and no-cost maintenance tips to keep your paint looking as fresh as the day you had the work done.

Your walls won’t look like they do now forever, but here are some things to look for to make any paint job last for as long as possible:

Exterior Paint Maintenance

Mildew and Mold

Once exterior paint has weathered for a couple of years, the risk of mildew growth in shady and damp areas increases. If you find mildew, first protect plants and grass. Then, apply a 3:1 mixture of water to household bleach to the area using a brush or garden sprayer, letting it remain on the area for about 15 minutes. Finally, rinse it thoroughly.

Dirt and Chalk

Airborne dirt often accumulates on exterior paint. The paint then darkens and can attract things like mildew and other unwanted guests. In addition, weathering can release a chalky pigment from the paint that results in faded colors and unsightly decay. For any issues involving dirt and chalk, scrubbing and power washing are the best fixes.

Cracking and Peeling

Because they can lead to even bigger paint problems in the future, these are arguably the most important exterior paint conditions to check for and catch early on. Caulking compounds should be used to fill cracks around doors, windows, and trim. When it comes to peeling, scrape off the loose material and sand the area, apply primer to the area, then touch up with paint.

Interior Paint Maintenance

Spots and Stains

Interior paint jobs will inevitably accumulate spots and stains over time. If you find these, treat them immediately―they’ll get harder to remove the longer they are there. Pay attention to high-traffic areas of the home, such as staircase walls, hallways, kitchens, and childrens’ bedrooms. Also examine areas where couches and chairs touch the walls. Wash any affected areas with soap and water, or add dishwashing detergent to a damp sponge if deeper cleaning is needed.

Mold

Warm and humid rooms such as bathrooms and basements can easily attract mold. CertaPro Painters® can paint these rooms with special mold-resistant paints, but if you do find mold or mildew on a wall, examine the area to determine the severity. Areas smaller than around nine square feet can be cleaned using a 1:4 ratio of bleach to water, but anything larger than that may need to be cleaned by professionals.

Fading Paint

Brightly lit rooms often suffer from fading paint. This can be avoided by investing in a high-quality paint beforehand, but if you’re unsure of what is currently on your walls, use shades or curtains to block incoming light. If you don’t want to sacrifice the sunshine, tint the windows with a UV protectant.

Most of these maintenance tasks can be done single-handedly, but our team of professionals are ready to make your life easier by providing any painting-related services your home may need. Interested? Schedule a free estimate on your next project.