There are no fixed guidelines saying how often the home exterior should be painted. The frequency of exterior painting is actually subject to the location, the climate, the moisture levels, the overall condition of the structure and the surfaces, the quality of the previous paints, the way the last job was done.
Naturally, if you live by the coast, the house would need far more often a facelift than if you lived in a dry climate inland. Sea salt saturates materials. High moisture helps rotting thrive. That’s why the quality of the paints matters. That’s also why the way the exterior surfaces were prepped last time matters too. It all comes down to the way the exterior painting service is done, overall.
By all means, your decision to paint the exterior of your home may not be coerced by the circumstances but be entirely voluntary just to change the colors and refresh the looks of the home. But more often than not, people decide to find painters for the exterior when they notice some damage. If you are not sure which are the most common telltale signs screaming that it’s time for an exterior home painting job, you are in luck. We’ll share them with you.
Paint bubbles, cracks and damage
Take a look at the exterior walls. If there are some spots where the paints bubble or have cracked, it’s a sure sign that it’s time for a painting job. Of course, when the paint is peeling or bubbling, it may also be a sign of a bad job or bad paint. But if it’s been quite a while since you last painted the exterior, it’s just a sign that it’s time to refresh it.
Now, to keep the new paints in good shape and prevent them from cracking and peeling – at least prematurely, make sure you get good paints. Paints suitable for the exterior and resistant to the moisture levels in your area. Also, suitable for the surface – wood, stucco, or metal.
Moisture signs, stains, mold
Moisture has its way of gradually destroying surfaces, paints included. You may notice some rotting, especially on wooden surfaces. Some stains may be superficial but some may be deep in which case, you need to see if sole painting will do or you need to replace some sections. Mold builds up when the levels of moisture are high and moisture has penetrated the material. These are definitely signs that the home’s exterior should be taken care of and, sometimes, there’s a need to replace rotten materials before you paint – that’s when the problem cannot be fixed with sanding.
Wood and stucco damage
No matter how good the previous exterior house painting job, no paint lasts and protects forever. At one point, you may notice some damage on wood or stucco. That’s when the paints have already peeled and the material has been exposed to the elements. Damage is not good and not only for the aesthetics of the home but also its integrity. When it comes to the fence or, even more, to the deck, it’s a matter of safety too. The minute you notice some form of damage, talk with a painting contractor in your area. See if the prep work can fix the damage or you need to replace the deck, the siding or the fence.
Bad colors, fading colors
Exterior paints fade overtime. That’s natural. Since they are constantly exposed to the sun, the rain, and all elements, they won’t look good forever. That’s one more good reason for painting the home. There may not be any damage or peeling paints but fading colors diminish the value of the home, make it look dull and ugly, and won’t make you happy. That’s also your chance to pick a new color, more modern painting techniques, fresh color combinations to refresh the house to your liking.