Having your home’s exterior painted is an investment that offers many benefits. Not only does it make your home look more aesthetically attractive, but it can also give your property value a significant boost. In fact, according to HomeLight, a new exterior paint job can yield a return on investment (ROI) of as much as 152%. Once you’ve had your house painted, it’s important to maintain it properly. Now that your home has a fresh coat of paint, you’ll want it to continue looking beautiful for as long as possible. Taking a few steps to maintain the exterior paint will help you save money while keeping your home looking good. Follow these maintenance tips to help ensure that your exterior will look fantastic for many years to come!
Don’t Wait Too Long Between Paint Jobs
It’s critical to avoid waiting too long between paint jobs. When paint is on your home for a long period of time, especially without ongoing maintenance occurring, the project becomes much more complex.
In addition to the regular prep work that has to happen before painting begins, your house painter will have to take extra steps to get your house ready to be painted if it’s been a long time since the last paint job. This can include scraping and sanding, two steps that are time-consuming and leave you waiting longer to see your beautiful new coat of paint. When your home’s exterior is properly maintained and you schedule your repainting projects in a timely manner, there’s a lot less prep work and expense involved.
Keep Trees and Landscaping Trimmed
One important maintenance step that some homeowners overlook is keeping trees and bushes trimmed and away from the house. This will help you avoid scratches and excess dirt on the sides of your house. This is especially important when there are storms or heavy winds in the forecast. Keeping your landscaping in good shape will also help you show off your home and boost its curb appeal.
Be sure to inspect your home and property to remove anything that could potentially cause damage. Keeping your home clear of overgrown landscaping will also help to reduce the number of critters nesting close to your home and foundation. Trees can affect the upper story of your home, so don’t forget to look up when you’re checking for problems. Regular inspection and clearing will help keep your exterior paint looking great for many years to come, and it doesn’t take much time or effort on your part.
Curtail Moisture Damage With Caulking
Moisture is something that you want to avoid in or on your house. There are a few particular areas where this is most likely to be an issue. A house painter will likely do an inspection of these spots to see if any fixes are necessary before painting begins. However, it’s important for you to stay on top of these potential problem areas as well. The most important places to check for moisture are your vents, windows, and doors. If you notice any cracks in these areas, caulking the seams is an effective solution.
When you’re doing your regular inspection, also keep an eye out for algae, mold, and mildew. These are signs that you have a moisture problem. To remove any of these growths from the sides of your home, take some warm, soapy water and a soft brush to scrub the affected areas.
Cracks can be another source of issues. In addition to causing problems with your home’s exterior, they also are a drain on your HVAC system. Have any cracks addressed as soon as possible. Not only will this fix help to preserve your home’s exterior, but it’ll also lower your electricity bills and make your home more energy efficient.
Pressure Wash Your Home as Needed
About twice a year or so, you’ll need to have your home pressure washed. This will keep the dirt from building up and causing damage to your paint. Be sure to have your contractor inspect your home as they go. They’ll be able to identify any issues with the paint that need to be corrected. Pressure washing is an effective way to care for your home and keep it looking great.
In between your professional pressure washing appointments, you can spot clean as needed. This is easy to do with a long-handled brush with a soft bristle. For anything more serious than some accumulated dirt, you’ll want to have your painter come take a look. Keeping your home clean is an important part of proper maintenance and is something you should take care of on a regular basis.
Take Care of Touch-Ups in a Timely Manner
If you request it, your house painter may give you some extra paint for touch-ups. When you notice any area of your home where there are scratches or chipped or damaged paint, it’s important to take care of it right away. Calling back your house painter can be necessary if there’s more damage than can be easily fixed.
A more involved part of paint maintenance is to have certain areas repainted before others. You’ll want to discuss this with your painter and set up a schedule. Areas of your home that receive a lot of direct sunlight will have to be repainted before other parts of the home. This is also true if you live in a windy area and one side of the house bears the brunt of the wind. Your painter will be able to assist you with determining the proper timing for addressing faded and worn paint. Typically, areas that receive direct sunlight will need to be repainted every year or two.
Keep Your Gutters in Good Shape
Before your home is painted, you’ll want to make sure that your gutters and downspouts are in great shape. Make sure that they’re not clogged, and that all debris is cleared. This is a good time to have any cracks or attachment issues repaired. Once your paint project is complete, you’ll want to keep an eye on your gutter system and perform any necessary maintenance. When your gutters aren’t working properly, it can cause water and moisture to damage your exterior paint and even seep into your home.
Good home maintenance doesn’t stop at the end of your house but needs to include the area around it too. When it’s time for a new gutter system, you’ll want to consult with your painter to ensure that the process doesn’t cause any damage to your paint job. Following the installation, it’s a good idea to have your painter return to take a close look and take care of any touch-ups that are needed.
When you need to hire a reliable house painter, Sucro Painting is the name you can trust for quality service. We have the experience and skills needed to complete your job on time and exceed your expectations. We understand how important your home is to you and your family, and want to help you keep it looking great. Contact us today to learn more about our services and schedule a consultation to get an estimate for your project. We appreciate your confidence in us and look forward to working with you!
