When Is it Time to Repaint?
Cracked and peeling paint is impossible to ignore.
A person’s home is their safe place that reflects their style and preferences. It’s where they come back after a long day of work to unwind and find peace, and it’s where they enjoy life with the people they love.
However, a homeowner may not be as enamored of their home when the paint is faded and peeling, as happens with Florida’s weather. Ample sunshine, rain showers, and sea air are tough on exterior paint.
For homeowners deciding whether to paint their homes, here are a few signs to look out for to help determine the best course.
Faded paint colors
The abundant sunshine in Florida is, in large part, what draws people to its cities and beaches. However, it’s also what causes paint to fade. The sun’s UV rays break down the chemical bonds in the paint over time, which causes the pigment to fade and appear dated.
To test for paint fading, compare an exposed section of an exterior wall to an unexposed section. If the color difference is drastic, it is time to repaint.
Indoor paint fades over time as well. Use the same comparison method on indoor paint as with outdoor paint. Remove a wall decoration and compare the paint beneath it to the surrounding paint.
Peeling and cracking paint
Cracked and peeling paint is impossible to ignore. It ruins the overall look of a house and takes away from its curb appeal.
When paint cracks, water vapors make their way between it and the surface it’s covering. This moisture causes the paint to peel.
The only way to resolve flaky paint is to scrape the surface to remove loose paint and repaint the surface for a fresh look.
Hardened caulking
Caulking is a waterproof filler designed to protect gaps and spaces from water that expands as needed. However, exposure to extreme weather can damage and harden the caulking, meaning it is no longer effective.
If the home’s caulking becomes rigid, it’s time for a professional painting contractor to remove and replace it.
Paint chalking
Chalking occurs due to age and exposure to sunshine. The sun weakens and deteriorates the binder that holds the paint together, forming a chalk-like powder lining the outermost surface of the walls.
If walls look dusty or chalky, consider a paint job.
Mold and mildew
In cities with high humidity, mold and mildew are inevitable, especially if the house has wood siding. If not eliminated quickly, mold and mildew can quickly spread to the unaffected parts of the structure, rendering the whole surface weak and unsightly.
Fresh paint on a house
A fresh coat of paint can radically renovate a house and improve the curb appeal of a residential property. Professional painting contractors can help homeowners choose the right paint for the application and advise on other items that need repair or replacement, like siding and caulking.
Mark’s Painting offers residential and commercial painting for Tampa, Hillsborough, and Pinellas County. Exterior painting, including priming, sealing, plaster & drywall service, pressure washing. We paint interiors, including ceilings, walls, trim, baseboard, fireplaces, mantels, paneling, wainscoting, doors, and windows. We offer wallpaper removal, caulking, staining and varnishing, refinishing, texturing, specialty finishes, and more. We are licensed and insured. Call us at (813) 831-5433
