The way your home appears from the curb has a lot to do with the condition of its paint. A beautiful color scheme that matches your home’s architecture, a well-chosen brand that doesn’t fade — all this and more can determine how attractive your home is to guests and neighbors and how well it stands up to the elements. So, why would you risk lessening the value of your exterior paint with inadequate maintenance?
The truth is, many homeowners don’t effectively care for their exterior paint because they simply don’t realize they should. Yet if you maintain your exterior paint properly, it will give you long-lasting curb appeal, and you won’t have to paint as frequently. Here are 7 things to keep in mind that will help you get the best performance from your exterior paint.
1. Remove Mildew
Why it matters:
Mildew is a fungus that thrives in shaded, damp areas and is most likely to appear on walls with northern exposure. It looks unattractive and can lessen the life of your exterior paint.
What to look for:
Splotches of gray, brown, green or black appearing on your home’s exterior
How to address it:
- Mix three parts water to one part household bleach.
- Using a brush or garden sprayer, apply the mixture to the mildew and let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with water.
- Note: Wear protection to guard your eyes and skin against the bleachy mixture. Cover nearby landscaping to protect it during the cleaning process.
2. Tackle Excess Moisture
Why it matters:
Too much moisture on your home’s exterior can cause a number of problems, such as:
- Mold growth
- Peeling paint
- Rust discoloration
- Rotted wood siding
What to look for:
- Peeling paint around windows, doors, and gutters
- Reddish-brown streaks on siding
- Wood rot in siding, door frames, window frames, or shutters
- Black or brown spots (which may be mold or mildew)
How to address it:
- Remove mold and mildew.
- Look for and replace any missing caulking.
- Trim trees and bushes so they don’t brush against your home exterior.
- Repaint your home to ensure it is protected from damage.
3. Clear Away Dust and Chalk
Why it matters:
Dirt and dust accumulate daily on a home’s exterior. Over time, this accumulation darkens your paint and provides a breeding ground for mildew. Chalkiness is a result of wear and tear from weather that causes paint to look faded.
What to look for:
- Specks of dirt and dust on exterior paint
- A chalky or faded appearance
- Paint that looks drab
How to address it:
Use a mild soap and water mix, and give siding a gentle scrubbing with a scrub brush. Avoid harsh chemicals and overly aggressive power washing, which can strip and damage siding.
4. Address Efflorescence
Why it matters:
This issue can occur with painted masonry, such as brick or concrete. With excess moisture, salts in the masonry can bleed through into the paint, leading to a deteriorating look.
What to look for:
Crusty white deposits marring the face of your masonry
How to address it:
- Fix any cracks and replace missing mortar.
- Ensure gutters and downspouts are properly directing water away from your
home. - Use a wire brush to remove the salt deposits. Wash the area with a
trisodium phosphate cleaning solution, rinse it, let dry, then repaint with a good latex paint.
5. Fix Cracking and Peeling
Why it matters:
Signs of paint damage — cracking, peeling, bubbling, blistering— make your home look less attractive. On top of that, they can be the result of inferior workmanship that will lessen the life of your paint job.
What to look for:
Instead of a smooth, shiny coat, your paint will be:
- Weathered
- Cracked
- Blistered
- Sagging
- Peeling
How to address it:
The only true way to deal with a poor paint job is to repaint.
It’s a good idea to use a professional, trusted painting contractor who understands your home’s needs and delivers superior workmanship.
6. Choose a Top-Performing Paint Brand
Why it matters:
There are a lot of house paint on the market, and some perform better over time than others. Some retain their color better, while others fade faster. It is worth investing in a top-notch paint brand that homeowners and painting contractors alike have come to trust.
What to look for:
Consider how good (or not so good) your current paint job appears, and how long it has lasted. If your color doesn’t last at least 5-7 years before needing to be redone, the paint may be a lower quality than your home deserves.
How to address it:
Do your research, ask around, and talk to painters about what brands they prefer. Many painting contractors (including us) appreciate the superb performance, impressive color options, and longevity of Sherwin Williams paint.
7. Work with an Experienced Paint Contractor
Why it matters:
Painting can be hard work for a homeowner to do themselves. But not all hired painters do the same quality of work. Top painting companies know how to give your home a superb coat of paint that will last a long time when properly maintained.
What to look for:
- Great reviews online
- Local companies that have been serving homeowners like you for many years
- Contractors that are licensed, insured, and easy to work with
How to address it:
- Ask neighbors whose paint you admire who they use.
- Look at sites like Angie’s List, BBB, Yelp and Google.
- Ask painting contractors for referrals so you can check their work before hiring them.
Enjoying an exterior paint color that performs at its best for years, making you proud of your home, starts with the right paint applied with expertise. JD Hostetter is the Indianapolis painting contractor of choice when it comes to all the fine details of choosing the best paint colors. You’ll have a home that looks beautiful. Request a free estimate to have our friendly team of Indianapolis painters get started on painting your home today.
