Most of us are no strangers to the
costly repairs that directly parallel owning a home. If
you are one of the select few that has not had to deal
with one of these less than fun tasks, get ready because
you will, and most likely sooner than later. The main
reason for repairs being more frequent and costly is a
lack of preventative actions which can save you
thousands when it comes to home repairs.
Exterior paint is one of the most important aspects
of your home. Think of it as clothing for your house,
protecting the vital areas from the damaging elements.
When paint fails, it leaves wood open to a barrage of
dangers. Which, when not treated can quickly destroy
your home, and cost you tens of thousands of dollars in
damage if not more. A good quality paint protects wood
from water, sun and mold damage, the three main causes
of wood failure.
The key to preventing rotting, molding
and cracking wood is to make sure your home is
constantly “clothed”. Every year homeowners should do a
thorough inspection of all the painted areas of their
home. Just as with many serious illnesses, detection is
also the most important part of failing paint. When
quickly identified, proper prep work, priming and
painting can prevent the need to replace the wood in
your house.
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Check all paint for cracking or
chipping. The best places to look are near corners,
window sills, door sills, edges, rooflines and any
other spot you might see standing water. These spots
indicate that the paint has been penetrated and can
no longer protect your wood from water damage.
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Also look for fading paint.
Obviously, after time any paint will begin to fade,
but areas that have constant sun will begin to
change the paints chemical composition, which will
lead to it not protecting to its fullest potential.
This can lead to cracking and warping wood.
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Alligatoring is another term used
to describe failing paint. This is when the paint
actually begins to take on the look and feel of
alligator skin. This is also a symptom that water is
beginning to penetrate the paint.
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Mildew is almost self-explanatory.
Found in damp, shaded areas, your paint will begin
to turn a green or black color which is almost
impossible to scrub off by hand.
The Painting Process When choosing the
right painting
contractor for the job be sure to ask many
questions.
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The most important one is the kind
of prep work that will be done before the actual
paint is applied. All surfaces that will be painted
should be pressure washed a couple days in advance
of the paint work. This thoroughly cleans those
areas, and also helps to remove mildew and
chipped/failing paint.
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Be sure the wood is given enough
time to dry completely before primer and paint is
applied. All spots where paint is cracked, chipped,
or alligatoring should be carefully scraped and
sanded.
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An initial coat of primer should
be applied to all surfaces being painted to ensure
the paint will adhere correctly. Contrary to popular
notion, primer does not have to be white or gray; it
can be tinted at the paint store to match the final
paint color you have chosen.
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Also be sure to ask about the
quality and warranty of the paint your contractor
will use, as well as if they are insured and bonded.
Generally, painting an entire house
should take no longer than a week at most, and doing
trim work 1-2 days. A good contractor will make sure the
work site is clean, with supplies and materials stored
away after each day of work. Also, be sure your
contractor will take precautionary measures to make sure
your landscaping, driveway, walkway, etc. do not receive
the same paint job your house gets. Trust me when I say,
a few drop cloths can go a long way.
Your home will now be ready to face
anything Mother Nature can throw its way, well anything
short of a tornado at least. Keeping a fresh coat of
paint on your house is a wise investment. Spending the
money to protect the precious wood that lies beneath is
a decision you cannot afford to live without. Wood
damage is an ugly and costly repair that you do not want
to add to your list of home improvement projects. Be
smart, save yourself money in the long run, keep your
house protected and not to mention looking great!
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