Exterior paint can enhance your home’s curb appeal, increase its resale value and protect it against the elements. But how do you know when it’s time to repaint your home before everything is ruined?
As a rule of thumb, exterior house paint lasts from 7 to 10 years. Although these general guidelines can give you an idea of how often you should paint your home, every home is different. And many variables affect how long your new coat of paint will last. These factors include location, weather, paint type, and siding material. Keep reading and learn five signs that indicate that your house needs to be repainted.
5 Signs It’s Time to Repaint Your House Exterior
It can sometimes be challenging to know when to hire a painter to update your home’s exterior. Peeling paint, outdated or fading paint are signs your home paint is old if you notice any of these things in your home or want to spruce up your home’s exterior with a fresh coat of paint.
If you notice any of these signals, you’ll know it’s finally time to update your exterior paint job:
Bubbling, Cracked, or Peeling Paint
If you notice paint that is bubbling, cracked, or peeling, it’s time to give your home’s exterior a fresh paint job. Peeling paint can easily make your home look unkempt, unclean, or unfinished, even if your home is neat.
Once paint peels off, it leaves parts of your home exposed to the elements and causes extensive damage inside your home. Moreover, if the wood is exposed to rain, snow, or hail, cracked paint could lead to mold and mildew.
Fading Paint
Your home’s exterior paint endures UV rays, thunderstorms, snow, and extreme temperature changes. These factors, especially direct sunlight, cause paint color to fade and become dull as the years pass.
If you notice that your home exterior isn’t as vibrant as it once was, repainting is the way to go. Ask your contractor to determine what brand and type of paint will work best to keep your siding looking great for the years to come.
Outdated Paint
Paint trends and styles come and go. If your home exterior is currently sporting a paint job that looks like it would be more at home in the 80s or 90s, you may want to consider an update. You can either update your home with a current trend or go for something timeless that won’t be outdated again in a couple of years.
Moisture Stains and Mold
Most of the time, moisture stains and mold can be wiped away or removed from the surface with pressure washing. However, sometimes these stains can be signs of more extensive damage. If you can’t remove a spot, you should have a professional take a look at it. Many stains need to be painted over; however, you might need to replace the material if there is more severe damage.
Cracked Caulking
Caulking is usually used around the outside of your doors and window to seal them properly.
If the caulking in your windows or doors is cracking, that’s a pretty clear indication that it’s time to replace it and add a fresh coat of paint for added protection.
What Affects the Durability of an Exterior Paint Job?
Most experts recommend painting every five to ten years, depending on where you live, climate and weather, and the previous paint job.
Previous paint job: The type of paint used, the quality of paint, how many coats were applied, and even the color used can all affect the durability.
Damage from the elements: Your location and how the weather was on the day of your last paint job can also play a significant role in your paint job’s durability.
Weather: Direct sunlight, heavy rain, snow, and hail affect your exterior paint job longevity. Harsh winters, thunderstorms, and high humidity can cause your paint job to age more quickly.
Surface: Also, take into account that every surface will be a little different. Here is a list of surface materials and how many years they can last without being repaired:
- Wood siding – 3-7 years
- Aluminum siding – 5 years
- Stucco – 5-6 years
- Cement fiberboard-10-15 years
- Brick – if it’s not painted, it only needs regular cleaning; if it’s painted, it can last 15-20 years.
Why Hire Professional Help?
Exterior painting isn’t an easy job, so it’s always a good idea to hire professional Arlington painters if you can. A professional paint job can enhance your home’s aesthetics, keep mold away, avoid damage and increase your home’s resale value.
You Can Trust Us With Your Home
If you want to give your home’s exterior a fresh new look and feel, Pro Brush Painting & Remodeling has over a decade of exterior painting experience in Arlington. Give us a call or submit our online form to learn how our painters in Arlington, TX, can help you in your next painting project.
