Signs Your Home's Exterior Needs To Be Repainted

The condition and color of your home's exterior present a first impression to the world. In addition to the obvious curb appeal, high-quality paint protects the home's exterior from weather and shields the interior from water damage. You can easily inspect your home's exterior to look for signs that it's time to repaint.

You'll want to take action at the first signs of significant fading, wood rot, mold or mildew growth, bubbling and peeling paint, or gaps between the siding boards. It's time to make the necessary repairs and follow up with a new paint job. However, if it's been five to 10 years since your home was repainted or you're planning to put the house on the market, you might want to freshen things up even without visible damage. All these factors enter into the decision to repaint your home's exterior. It's a smart investment in maintaining a sturdy, healthy, and attractive home environment for yourself and your family.

The last time your home was repainted, you diligently searched for the just-right color you love. But now, that color has faded to a shadow of its former glory, and you're ready to repaint. If you're wondering why exterior paint fades, the answer is sunlight. The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays affect the pigment molecules in the paint, causing the pigment to lose its vibrant color. Additionally, the oxygen, nitric acid, and ozone in the air may attack the paint pigment, resulting in a loss of color intensity.

Low-quality paints lose their color intensity within a few short years. However, when it's time to repaint, you can choose a high-quality paint formulated to resist fading. Be aware that dark paint colors tend to fade more quickly because they absorb more UV rays from the sun. White and light colors are not so prone to fading. Light brown, tan, and beige hues retain their color longer than bright blues, reds, and yellows.

You know repainting is necessary when the paint on your home's exterior shows cracks, blistering, flaking, or peeling. To do the job effectively, you'll need to understand why the paint began to separate in the first place. It could be that the paint was of poor quality or that it was thinned too much. Alternatively, it may have been applied over a dirty or dusty surface. In many cases, oil and alkyd paint bubbles and peels when moisture in the home's exterior wood reaches the surface, pushing the impermeable paint barrier away. 

The proper steps for repainting include addressing the problems that caused your paint to peel, as well as preparing your home's exterior for a top-quality paint job. Scrape off any peeling paint and clean the exterior surfaces thoroughly. If you plan to repaint with latex paint, be sure you're not applying it over oil paint. You may need to scrape all the way down to the wood. Apply caulk and putty to areas where moisture might seep into the exterior materials. Then, start with a coat of high-quality primer and sealer. Follow up with coats of high-quality paint applied when the surfaces are completely dry. Do the job when the temperature is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit and rain is not in the forecast.

Your home's exterior is susceptible to water damage from rain, snow, humidity, and all types of weather events. Exterior paint protects the siding on your house by sealing it to prevent moisture from seeping into the boards. But when the paint is old and worn, it no longer provides adequate protection. It's a good idea to keep your home's exterior in tip-top shape by repainting before you see the signs of damage.

Moisture changes in the wood cause it to warp, swell, and contract. This movement may produce tell-tale gaps that warn you something's wrong. Water absorption leads to wood rot and invites pests such as termites and carpenter ants to carry out even more damage. Additionally, when gaps between the boards allow moisture to enter, it's likely that mold and mildew will grow and spread, causing further deterioration. When you see gaps between the siding boards, the recommended steps include repairing or replacing the damaged panels, scraping old paint, and applying new primer and paint.

A feeling of immense satisfaction comes with updating and sprucing up your home's exterior. Even if your paint is not damaged or worn, there's nothing wrong with changing the color for a fresh, new look. This may be particularly true if you just moved into a new-to-you house. Although the previous owners might have repainted, you may not like the color. Instead of living with a color you hate, it's time for a repainting job. A typical color scheme might feature a neutral hue on the siding with a contrasting color on the trim.

You may want to paint your house in classic white and add a bright color to the front door. Light, neutral colors are easy to live with, including creamy off-white, beige, tan, taupe, and gray. These tones provide a restful background to show off a contrasting trim color. If you want to make the architectural features stand out, paint your siding in a darker color and choose stark white for the window and door trim, as well as soffits, fascia, and columns. Your landscaping will stand out if your house is painted in a light color. On the other hand, if landscaping is not a factor, a dark color on the home may appear wonderfully dramatic.