Signs It Is Time to Repaint Your Home’s Exterior

Do You Know When to Repaint Your Home’s Exterior?

People have been asking this age old question for decades. Everyone has their own theory to the correct answer. But most people are just guessing. We all need to answer the question sooner or later in our lives. So it is always good to research and know the answer before it is your time to ask; When is it time to repaint your home’s exterior?

Painting is a time-consuming process, but with CertaPro painters it is fairly simple and it doesn’t have to cost a small fortune.
Here are some obvious and less-obvious signs that it might just be time for a fresh coat of exterior paint.

Can you see obvious damage?

Peeling, cracking, and bubbling paint are all good indicators that you may want to sand down the area and start fresh. Generally, these issues indicate you are dealing with one or two problems. Either the paint was not applied correctly in the first place, leading to early and unnecessary damage. Or the paint has been exposed to too much water, wind, UV rays.

All of these things cause the paint to start to crack and peel. In the event that you have peeling or cracking paint, you may also have underlying issues with mildew, rotting wood, dry rot, or even mold.

Never ignore bubbling or peeling paint because it may be a sign of a much bigger problem. Even if it’s just a sign that it’s time to paint, of course, it still needs your attention.

Do you plan to sell?

Routine maintenance and care of your home are critical to keeping it in its best condition and making sure that it holds its value. There are a lot of factors that can affect the value of your home, but having a fresh, well-maintained paint job can make a huge impression and have a big impact on your home’s value.

If you’re not just changing colors or updating paint as a standard renovation, you should always be diligent looking for signs that it is time to repaint. Keep reading to find out everything that you need to know.

Is your home’s exterior fading?

Faded jeans might still be trying to make a comeback, but faded exterior paint is not trendy.

To help you determine fading, take a photo of your home as soon as CertaPro finishes that fresh paint job on your home. It can be hard to notice a slow fading over time, but if you have proof of what the original color looked like, you’ll notice that things are wearing a lot easier.

If it’s been five or six years since you’ve painted, you have probably lost a lot of color and brightness from weather elements. Dark paint colors tend to fade quicker than light paint, so that may be a consideration when choosing your new colors, as well.

If you repaint with a lighter color, you won’t have to worry about fading as quickly or as often as you would with darker colors. Another way to check for fading is to look at areas of the house that don’t get a lot of sunlight or exposure. They will have the least amount of fading and damage, allowing you to compare the progression so that you can decide whether or not it’s time to paint again.

Is your caulk cracking?

Caulking has a much shorter shelf life than most paint products, and especially when used on the exterior of the home that is constantly exposed to the elements. If your caulk work between trim pieces, around the edges of siding, and in other areas, is starting to crack, crumble, or show other signs of age, it might be time to re-caulk and repaint the entire exterior.

This will avoid any potential water damage to the siding or other issues and help you add better protection back into your home’s exterior with a fresh coat of paint and a new application of high-quality, durable caulk that will seal the gaps and protect the finish.

Do you see gaps or shrinkage in your siding?

All building materials are going to succumb to the elements of weather in one way or another, eventually. When you start noticing gaps in siding, shrinkage of wood or trim pieces, or other related issues that are making things appear unkempt and in need of repair, it’s usually a good sign that it’s also time to paint. Like with caulk work, there’s no sense in just fixing the damage or painting over what’s there. You might as well give your house a good once-over, fix gaps and fill holes, and repaint everything for a fresh, cohesive look.

Has it been awhile since your exterior has been painted?

The average “shelf life” of an exterior paint job is about five to seven years. Some paint products will last up to 10 years or more, and in some milder climates, paint may not be as susceptible to damage from the elements.

Therefore, there is no way to judge exactly when it’s just time to update your paint, but if it’s been over five years, this is a good enough reason.

In the Midwest, for example, wood needs to be painted every three to seven years, while in the drier Southwest climate, wood may be able to go seven to 10 years before it needs to be painted again.

Always check the exterior paint that you use for an expected lifespan. Consult your CertaPro professional painters to figure out what you can expect in your regional area, based on how the elements affect the paint, and make sure that you update your home’s exterior regularly to keep it protected.

Conclusion
Painting your home can breathe new life into the exterior. It can increase the home’s value, as mentioned at the beginning of this article, and it can offer a greater level of protection from the elements.

If you aren’t sure whether or not it’s time to paint your house, call your CertaPro painters. We can help you take stock of the situation and see where you stand. We can help you check for fading, damage, and other issues. Then we can help you choose the correct paint and color to make your home’s exterior look fabulous all year round!

Ready to start your painting project today? Call CertaPro painters of Harrisburg today or go online to schedule an estimate!