Your home is your castle, and it’s natural that you would want it to look its best. And you’ve probably driven by many homes with peeling paint or outdated colors and thought to yourself, “I don’t want my house to look like that.”
Of course, peeling paint is a clear sign that your dwelling’s exterior needs to be repainted, but by then, you’ll be investing quite a bit of time and expense into preparing your house’s walls to hold fresh, attractive paint.
That’s why it’s helpful to recognize some of the more subtle signs your home needs to be repainted. If you know when to paint and then invest in house painting in a timely fashion, you’ll experience many benefits:
- Fresh paint minimizes the effects of wear and tear damage to your home’s exterior.
- Painting early, before peeling and other issues arise, reduces the amount of costly prep work, such as scraping off old paint, replacing damaged siding, or adding new caulking.
- Well-maintained paint keeps your home looking beautiful from the curb.
If you’re wondering whether it’s time to freshen up your home’s exterior paint, look for these signs:
Flaking, peeling, bubbling or cracking paint
The most obvious sign that your home needs painting is visible issues with the existing paint. Flaking, peeling paint, bubbles or cracks are all signals that your existing paint is no longer offering sufficient weatherproofing qualities, exposing your home to damage from the sun, rain, and other weather conditions.
These signs can also indicate you may have dry rot, wet rot or mold, especially if you also see that your home’s wood or vinyl siding or stucco exterior is showing damage too. If you see these signs, it’s important to contact a trusted home exterior contractor right away to repair any issues and protect your home. After any needed repairs are made, a durable paint will help seal your home and keep it protected again.
Damaged caulking
Caulking seals your home’s doors, windows, and trim to prevent damage from moisture, pests, and other damaging elements. And when caulk is in good condition, it will expand and contract along with your house to keep those protective seals in place.
But as the wear and tear of time and weather affect your home, the caulking will age and lose its elasticity. As a result, it diminishes in its protective value too. To check your caulking’s condition, look for signs of problems—such as hardening, cracks, or separation of the caulk from doors, windows, and trim. If caulking feels hard and resistant when you press on it, it’s probably time to have a professional apply new caulking.
After re-caulking, it’s important to repaint as well—which seals your home further from weather damage and restores your home’s visual appeal.
Fading or discoloration
Fading paint is one of the most obvious indications that you may want to invest in painting your home. And since fading often appears before other issues such as chipping, peeling, or cracking, homeowners who address the issue by repainting can avoid the wood rot, moisture damage, and other issues that can arise if you put off painting.
It’s not uncommon for the sun to cause paint colors to fade over time, or even to cause discoloration. Beige, for example, can turn pink due to the effects of the sun’s UV rays. So, when you invest in house painting, choose exterior grade paints designed to resist UV rays and retain their color.
Proper timing
When was the last time you had your home painted? Paint does not last forever. The average timeframe for repainting a home is every 7–10 years.
Of course, the region where you live and the materials used for your home’s exterior can also affect how long a paint job lasts. For example, wood siding often needs to be painted every 3–7 years, while fiber cement siding typically needs repainting every 10–15 years.
Newly built home
If your home was built recently, it may need painting simply because it’s new. Often, contractors do not prime the siding properly. Or they may use only one coat of paint, or opt for less expensive, inferior paints to save on costs. The result is that the paint job on a new home usually doesn’t last long, and your exterior may be exposed to weather damage as a result.
Plan to paint a new home within 5 years to ensure you have a durable, attractive paint job that protects your home from the elements.
Inferior curb appeal
When your home’s paint isn’t at its best, it can affect how your home appears from the curb. Whether your paint is faded or damaged, or your home is looking dull compared to your neighbor’s, a fresh coat of paint can help your home look beautiful again at an affordable investment. And if you’re considering selling your home, fresh paint can boost your home’s resale value.
Ready for a change
Maybe you’re tired of the existing color or you bought the home as-is, and now you’re ready to make some exterior upgrades. There is nothing wrong with painting your house because a new color would make you happy. And painting is an affordable option that will add to your home’s beauty in no time.
We’re here to help your home look beautiful from the curb.
At JD Hostetter, we care about how your home looks as much as you, because we take pride in treating our clients as family. Our painting professionals will have your home popping with color and vibrancy again. Contact us anytime to request a free consultation on paint colors, styles, and options that will have you falling in love with your home all over again.
