13 Oct Knowing when to paint your home’s exterior

Painting the exterior of your house is a big task and shouldn’t be taken lightly. However, it’s an important job that needs to be done fairly regularly. Not only does a fresh coat of paint add a layer of much-needed protection against the elements, it also adds to your property’s curb appeal.

So, what are the tell-tale signs indicating your home needs a facelift, and how often should you repaint? Read on.

When to repaint

There are a number of factors at play when deciding on when next to paint your house.

The first factor is the quality of your previous paint job. If you used cheap paints back then, chances are you’ll be seeing paint deterioration within a couple of years. This time round, use a high-quality paint and extend the life of the new paint job by more than double. That’s a big cost saving in the long run!

Another major deciding factor is your location – if you live by the sea, your house has to deal with the sun and corrosive sea salt, so will need a repaint every 4 years or so. If you live in a sunny location and your paint colour is beginning to fade, you’ll need to choose carefully this time round – go for lighter colours which aren’t as easily damaged by the sun and where colour fade is less noticeable.

The surface of your walls is something else to keep in mind. Ageing wood siding might only have 2 years of life left, whereas a painted brick surface could last for more than 15 years.

Furthermore, how often do you clean the exterior, if at all? Dirt that’s allowed to build up can slowly work its destructive force on the paint.

So, how often should you repaint? As you can see, there’s no short answer, but repainting every 8 years or so is standard for a well-done paint job.

Warning signs that your exterior needs a repaint

Moisture damage is the first thing to look out for, as this not only destroys the paint but also the wall surface. If you’re seeing mould and bubbles and streaks, deal with them as soon as possible. Other worrying signs to look out for are cracks, chalk and blistering. For wooden boards, look for sun damage and cracks.

Follow the signs to Pelham Painters

If you’ve had a look and decided it’s time to freshen up your house’s exterior, call us. We’re the trustworthy, experienced and professional choice to tackle this big job, considering all factors to ensure that, this time round, your paint work lasts as long as possible.