Some find house paint to be an exciting part of being a homeowner and others find it to be a necessary evil. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, you probably want your home to stay pleasing to the eye—paint and all. But this isn’t as simple as painting and calling it quits. Fret not—we have exterior paint maintenance tips that’ll make the process a breeze.
Common House Paint Issues
You may have been wondering if your paint issues are anyone else’s as well. Here are a few of the most common house paint issues, and a few tricks up our sleeve to help you overcome them:
Chipped Paint
If your paint is chipping, you must first check if the paint is lead-based. If your home was built before 1978, there is a good chance it was painted with lead-based paint. This can pose a serious health issue, so it’s something to stay vigilant about.
Next, you’ll want to determine what surfaces the paint is chipping on. Is it the siding or have you noticed it coming off indoors too? Is it in your kitchen or bedroom? There are a few different solutions depending on where the paint is chipping.
If it’s only on your outdoor siding, you can likely fix this with a new coat of paint. This will require you to pressure wash the old paint and prepare it for a new coat. Soon, you’ll find your paint problem will disappear.
Fading Paint
Fading is a common issue with house paint and can add years to your home’s age. The cause of fading paint is usually due to either direct sunlight or chemical pollutants in the air. If possible, keep your paint out of direct sunlight to prevent excessive fading. Understandably, there are times when this is just not possible with outdoor paint but it just takes a little bit of exterior paint maintenance to stay on top of it. If you notice fading drastically in one area, it may be time to consider purchasing paints that are formulated to withstand fading and sun damage.
Stains
Stains are especially common in areas with a lot of moisture like the kitchen or bathroom. Stains can happen for various reasons like the following:
- Food and drink spills
- Pet accidents
- Children playing
The key to avoiding them is prevention and proper cleaning techniques. On exterior paint, stains are common in areas where rainwater drips consistently from the roof. Keeping gutters clear and redirecting water away from your home is a surefire way to help prevent future stains. And if you don’t know what to do to repair stains, start with a gentle cleaning solution. A mix of water and dishwashing liquid is usually the best choice, but you can also try using vinegar or baking soda.
5 Best Practices for Exterior Paint Maintenance
Keep Paint Dry
It isn’t always possible to keep paint dry, especially in humid or tropical areas. But whenever possible, keep your paint dry to help prevent chipping and fading. Redirect water runoff, put your house on a hill, and keep a plant buffer to prevent as much moisture as possible from getting on the house.
Clean Properly
You don’t have to clean the exterior of your house regularly, but it’s important to do a deep clean every few years to prevent dirt and mildew from building up. This will help keep your paint looking fresh and new for a longer period of time.
Choose a Quality Paint
When you repaint, make sure you choose quality paint. Higher-end paints are formulated to withstand sun damage, fading, and chipping. They may be more expensive initially but they sure can save money in the long run.
Repaint as Needed
If you notice fading or chipping, it may be time to repaint. This doesn’t call for the dreaded repainting of the entire house—you can spot-treat specific areas that need it. If exterior paint maintenance is too overwhelming, consider hiring a professional painting company like Fillo Painting where we do the job quickly and efficiently.
Maintain the Edges
Maintaining the edges of your home is a great way to keep it looking new for longer. This means repairing any rot or deterioration as soon as you notice it and keeping the caulk in good condition. You should also check around doors and windows regularly to make sure there aren’t any gaps that could cause you worse problems down the road.
Fillo Painting: Your Exterior Painting Maintenance Solution
Whether you’ve tried to keep your paint looking fresh unsuccessfully, or you still need to begin your process of refreshing the paint, we are here to help. With a five-year warranty, you can trust that when you hire us, you’ll get a job done right. We want to help you bring your exterior paint back to life so you can show it off proudly. Contact us today to get started.