Painting your home can be inconvenient and time-consuming, but it’s easier than it seems. It’s a good investment that extends the integrity and good looks of what, for most people, is their single greatest asset.
Paint is often your house’s first defense against the elements. And also it can be the first impression for guests and potential buyers. Here are a few signs it’s time to paint a house.
1. Flaking, bubbling or cracking paint
These signs often signal dry rot, wet rot or mold caused by failed weatherproofing. Strong sunlight, harsh winters, extreme humidity, storms, blowing sand and ocean breezes can contribute to the damage.[1]
2. Hardened caulk
Most caulks are designed to expand and contract along with your house. As your home is exposed to more extreme weather cycles (think sunny days and freezing nights) caulking can lose its elasticity. If caulk cracks, splits, or pulls away from surfaces, it’s typically time to re-caulk and check for damage.[2]
3. Fading paint
Even the most resilient paint can fade after extended sun exposure. Sun bleaching is common, and dark hues tend to fade faster than paler shades. UV rays can sometimes cause the paint to transform into an undesired shade. Beige can transform to pink in a matter of weeks. To prevent that, make sure the paint is an exterior grade that can withstand UV effects.[3]
4. Patching stucco
To minimize costs without re-stuccoing the entire house, patch stucco cracks and repaint the whole house. Otherwise, homeowners may be left with streaks or patchwork from paint that doesn’t quite match.
5. To boost curb appeal
It could be time to repaint if the house looks faded, the trim no longer stands out or there is nothing to make the house ‘pop’ against its surroundings. A fresh coat of paint can help, and it could increase the home’s value.
6. Before paint chips or peels
Don’t wait until paint chips are visible from the street to repaint. Repainting your house before the existing paint has badly degraded can help minimize damage to the exterior of the home and limit preparatory work, like scraping flaking paint, caulking seals or replacing wood. Minimizing prep work helps reduce painting costs.[3]
Exterior paint can last anywhere from three to 20 years, but the actual timeframe can vary greatly, depending on paint quality, siding material and location. For example, wood siding is more sensitive and may need repainted every three to seven years. While both stucco and vinyl siding are longer-lasting than most materials, they should be painted about every 10 years. In regions that experience heavy rain and snow seasons, paint can experience faster deterioration.[3]
If you’re interested in other home renovation projects, find out what you can do yourself and when you need a contractor.