What Are the Signs I
Should Paint My House?
The paint on your home does more than just look good. Your house paint is literally your home’s skin, so when it fails, problems usually follow.
Fortunately, house paint technology has exploded in recent years allowing consumers a litany of options unavailable even a decade ago. Sherwin-Williams, for example, has won awards for quality, innovation, and durability.
However, no house paint can repair the damage once water is allowed inside the home. The trick is to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Below are a few common signs your house needs a paint refresh. With this list, you can identify common signs just by taking a quick walk around your home.
The Color is Fading
Even the best paint will eventually begin to fade due to ultraviolet radiation damage from the sun. Premium paints simply last longer than standard house paints. If you touch your paint and the color comes off like chalk, your house needs repainting.
At ProCraft Restoration Group®, we use paint brands like Sherwin-Williams, or other premium quality paint to reduce this problem. Using quality paints help us to do a quality job, we use brands our clients will recognize and trust.
Bubbles, Cracks, and Chipping
Old paint that has lived its useful life will usually begin to detach from the surface. We’ve all seen peeling paint, and it is an indication your house needs a refresh. Postponing a new paint job will only make the problem worse, so sooner is better than later. If your home was last painted prior to 1978-79, give us a call and have your paint inspected before making any decisions.
Mold and Mildew Growth
Mold and mildew need moisture to survive. Old paint tends to lose its gloss (due to the chalky residue mentioned earlier) over time, which allows it to absorb moisture. If you’ve ever noticed mold or mildew growing on your paint on a shady side of your home, this is why. Mold and mildew growth can cause permanent damage to your home, so keeping your house paint water tight is essential.
Loose Caulk and Patches
If during your walk around inspection you see long, stringy, stuff just hanging from your house, you have probably found an indication of water damage. Windows, doors, and paint projects use exterior grade caulk for extra sealing to seal cracks and seams. However, loose caulk performs no function, so if you find any, have a qualified painting contractor inspect it immediately.
The Paint Is Old
Ideally, when the time comes to repaint your home, you discover it by the calendar, not the evidence. All exterior paints have a finite lifespan, so if you happen to know your existing paint is more than ten years old, repainting is a great idea.
You might postpone the project for a year or two, but you also risk finding water damage six months too late. Even if your paint looks okay today, if it is more than ten years old, call a pro and get an estimate.
What Is the Process For Having My House Painted?
In the modern world of house painting, getting estimates is now super easy. Some of the more established paint companies, like ProCraft Restoration Group®, make it easy to book an appointment with your phone. They know how valuable your time is, so you can request an estimate online for you to use at your convenience.
Next, a professional paint estimator will come to your home. Regardless of whom you invite, expect clear, honest answers to your questions. Feel free to ask for things like certificates of insurance or references. If the estimator cannot gleefully provide you everything you ask for, keep looking.
Once you’ve hired a paint company, don’t be alarmed if they don’t show up the next day. Paint requires a certain temperature range and humidity level to dry correctly. Count on your pro to know when the conditions are right so they can do the best job possible.
When the project begins, they will prep the surface by pressure washing, sanding, or whatever the job requires. Next, they will caulk and patch defects that might show through the paint. Then, they will apply a quality paint like Sherwin-Williams, or other top tier paint via brushes, rollers, and sprayers. Lastly, any finishing touches will be made and inspected for quality.
Depending on the size of the project, a paint refresh will take a few days. Professional painters are known for their efficiency, so you might be amazed at how quickly the project moves.
How Do I Pick the Best Paint For My Home?
Selecting the best paint for your home is part science and part art. For example, if you have a particular problem you need to solve, like brightening up a color, you have some decisions to make. Everything, including location, medium, application, and additives should be considered before arbitrarily selecting a brand you recognize.
You can do your own online research, but the easiest strategy is to simply ask a pro for some free advice. The pro will address each of your observations and not only provide an expert opinion, but explain why they have it.
How Do I Increase Curb Appeal With Paint?
If you are planning a home sale or large gathering, often the first house update is new paint. A house paint refresh is likely the most cost effective home improvement you can make. New paint adds value with better curb appeal, protection from the elements, and prevents water damage to your home.
In a perfect world, you can find a knowledgeable, professional paint company that can help you decide which paint provides the most bang for the buck. This way you can pick their well trained brains for free. These pros can often make suggestions for combinations and textures you may not have thought of.
How Do I Find a Good Painting Company Near Me?
Generally, the best way to shop for a great painting company is to look for a local company online. The most successful paint companies have a great looking website where they post photos of past projects, like ProCraft Restoration Group®, if you happen to live in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill (Research Triangle) or Atlanta area.
The best advice is to do your own research so you can ask better questions when you have a paint expert available. If you select a quality paint and put a little effort into finding the best paint company you can find, you may not only learn something new, but also find a paint company you can trust in the process.