Properly caring for exterior painting may boost curb appeal and protect your home’s surfaces from weather damage and environmental exposure. Following a maintenance routine can make the paint job last longer, delaying the need for repainting. Here are tips for choosing the right exterior paint and maintaining it for your home:

Conduct Visual Inspections

Carefully check your painted surfaces every year. Inspect for blistering, cracking, or mold growth. Peeling, bubbling, or flaking indicates excessive moisture, which may be problematic and require attention. With early detection, you can prevent minor damage from worsening. Focus on sunny or damp areas, like areas near gutters.

Perform Surface Cleaning and Apply Touch-Ups

Once or twice a year, power wash your home’s exterior. You could use a garden hose and a soft brush, or even a power washer, to clean the walls.. Rinsing dirt and particles prevents them from breaking down the binding agents in the coating. Avoid harsh chemicals, as some cleaning agents can strip paint, causing it to fade. Make sure to trim back vegetation that rubs against your paint as well, as this can damage the paint and the tree or shrub. 

Addressing paint damage early helps keep your finish in good condition. Sand any worn or chipped paint, apply primer, and touch it with matching paint. Prompt touch-ups prevent the exposure of any wood to moisture. Failing to repair spots and scratches promptly could allow damage to spread. Have leftover paint stored for easy color matching.

Moisture can soak into paint from poorly sealed windows, doors, and wall joints. Inspect the caulking along trim, siding, and brick surfaces for damage. Look for cracked or missing caulk lines that might allow water seepage. Replace any damaged or deteriorated caulking to maintain a watertight barrier.

Monitor Moisture Levels

Use eave boards to check for the first signs of moisture staining or damage.. Clean gutters and downspouts to keep rainwater flowing away from paint and your home. Don’t let clogged drains overflow and spill water onto surfaces. If you notice moisture damage, you can hire a professional to trace it to leaks or faulty drainage systems. Fixing these moisture sources before they undermine your exterior painting also prevents further damage.

Offer UV Protection

Many painters recommend investing in paint with UV protectants. These formulas help in resisting sun damage and temperature fluctuations. Regions with intense sunlight should get a fresh coat every few years to refresh their protection. Repaint when you notice signs of wear, such as fading, cracking, or peeling, which can leave surfaces exposed to UV damage.

Choose Premium Paint

Use high-quality, weather-resistant paints formulated for your house’s surfaces. These are designed to resist fading, cracking, mold, and other weather damage. As budget alternatives contain fewer binding agents, they can break down faster. Working with professional painters will help you choose premium paints and primers to help maintain your home’s exterior over time.

Contact Professional Exterior Painting Experts Today

Incorporating proactive care into your home maintenance routine helps care for exterior painting. A well-maintained exterior minimizes moisture intrusion and weather damage. Give your home an elegant update with quality paints and proper siding preparation. Contact a reliable painting contractor today.