6 Signs Your Home Needs a Fresh Coat of Paint

Your home’s exterior is the first thing that guests or potential buyers see when looking at your house. What’s more – it’s the first thing you see when you come home every day. Does it make you as happy as it once did? We often underestimate the power of paint. Adding a brand new coat of paint can make a house look rejuvenated. But it’s not just design aesthetics you should be concerned with. There are other benefits to painting your home’s exterior too!

The paint on your home’s exterior eventually weathers, drastically reducing its curb appeal and possibly damaging the exterior of your house. Your home’s exterior is the first defense against the elements. If your home’s exterior paint finish isn’t as bold and vibrant as it once was, it’s likely due to natural elements like the sun and heat, cold and snow, and wind and rain. If you think the exterior of your home needs to be painted, contact us about our exterior house painting services for a free estimate.

You may not be sure if your home needs to be painted. Here are six signs that will tell you if it’s time to call CertaPro Painters® for an estimate

1. Peeling or Cracking Paint

One of the first signs that will indicate you need to repaint your home’s exterior is the peeling, cracking, flaking or chipping of the paint. These signs mean the elements have taken a toll on the exterior paint of your home.

Because the paint is flaking and peeling up and off the underlying materials, those materials are no longer being protected. This could lead to mold, mildew or dry rot.

Not only will your home not look its best, but there are also more serious issues you’ll have to deal with in the future without a new coat of paint. Consult with a professional if this occurs to avoid bigger, more impactful problems.

2. Cracks in Caulk

Caulk is designed to seal a joint between both surfaces to keep them intact and protect them from damage. Cracking caulk occurs over time, as the caulk loses its elasticity, which means it’s no longer doing its job.

Caulk in your home’s trim and siding plays a large role in repainting a house. It makes the paint job look better and last longer.

If you notice caulk is starting to wear, it means your paint also needs a refresh. Repainting an old house could also mean it will need to get recaulked. Choosing the right kind of caulk is important to ensure it will withstand extreme heat and cold, so make sure you contact CertaPro Painters® to assist with selecting caulk for your home.

3. Fading Paint

Paint tends to fade over the years as the sun beats down against it. If your home is provided shade by trees or mountains or is positioned in a way that light doesn’t hit it all day long, the color lasts a little longer. But if there’s nothing to shade your home’s exterior from the sun, it’s likely fading will occur quickly.

Dark colors also fade much more quickly than light colors, so it may be a wise decision to choose a lighter color if you find you’re repainting your home more often than you’d like. Although shaded wooded areas receive less sunlight, they may still require maintenance such as power washing and caulk repair.

4. Gaps or Shrinking Wood

A new gap between two wooden boards on your home is cause for concern and a warning to homeowners that moisture is getting into the wood. Those gaps in your wooden boards can lead to mold, mildew, or dry rot.

Paint maintenance over the years will protect the wood and prevent any further damage to your home. However, if you are noticing gaps or shrinking wood, it’s possible you’ll need repairs. Have a professional take a look at these changes before they progress.

5. You’re Selling Your House

You want to show your house in its best light when you’re selling. A fresh exterior coat of paint can make a home look ten years newer than it actually is. It has a great impact on the house’s overall look and feel, making it much more appealing, and best of all – more expensive.

It also shows potential buyers that your home is in good shape and you’ve maintained it over the years, making it valuable and reliable for years to come.

6. Color Choice

The color that you choose for your home’s exterior a few years ago may be outdated. Exterior color paint trends come and go and in order to keep your house looking its best, you may want to pick a new color to increase curb appeal and make your home look more inviting.

Although we’ve gone over reasons to paint your home’s exterior and why it’s important, you don’t necessarily have to wait until the paint on your house peels and chips. Be proactive and paint your home’s exterior before it shows a major sign of wear to avoid dealing with unsightly paint. Dealing with it now will save you from dealing with bigger problems in the future.

How Often Should I Paint My Home’s Exterior?

There are many factors to consider when determining how often your home’s exterior needs to be painted. The quality of the paint used previously can make a significant difference between a few years. On average, a home’s exterior should be repainted anywhere between five and 10 years, depending on the materials. Check out the guide below to find out if your home’s exterior needs attention.

Wood Siding

Wood siding is the material that needs to be repainted or stained the most frequently. A general rule of thumb is between three and seven years. It’s important to keep an eye out for signs that the paint is worn off as wood is very susceptible to rot.

Aluminum Siding

Aluminum siding is very durable and can last a long time on your home’s exterior. Refresh the exterior paint every five to 10 years to keep the surface looking clean and your home looking new.

Brick

If you have an unpainted brick home exterior, keep the brick exterior looking fresh by having it professionally power washed every couple of years.

A brick exterior will need a fresh coat of paint every three to five years. The paint will block the brick’s porous surface, but moisture will seep in through mortar. And because the majority of the surface is blocked, the moisture has no way to escape, which can lead to the breakdown of the brick. Because brick could be difficult to maintain, it’s important to contact the professionals and have them take a look at your exterior to see what possible maintenance options can be done.

What Should I Look for When Hiring a Painter?

To extend the life of your painting project and to ensure your exterior looks fresh and protects the materials underneath it, it’s important to hire a professional painting contractor. The paint quality along with how well the house was painted could mean the difference between repainting your house in five years, or not having to repaint it until 10 years later.

The weather can drastically affect your exterior painting project before, during, and after the project is done. If it’s not handled the correct way, you could end up wasting a lot of time and money and also being left with a poorly painted exterior. There are also many different factors to consider such as the kind of paint that’s being used to effectively combat the elements, as well as how your home is prepped before the paint is applied. That’s why it’s crucial to leave an exterior paint project up to the professionals.

Let’s Get Painting

Our team at CertaPro Painters® of San Francisco is trained to help walk you through the process, from color to finish. Schedule your estimate online, or by calling us at 415-661-8400 to speak with a painting professional about the painting plan that fits the goals of your space and your budget.