Painting the Outside of Your House - 7 Signs That The Exterior of Your Property Needs Attention

A question we get asked every year from about Easter until October is - I’m not sure if the oustide of my house needs painting, I was hoping you could help me?

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Hopfully this short guide will help answer a few of those questions and concerns?

Masonry Blistering / Bubbling

If the previously applied masonry paint on the exterior of your home is starting to blister and bubble, then this is a sure sign that moisture is getting behind the paint and pushing away from the wall area.

There are reasons for the moisture getting behind the paint. 

• It could be moisture coming from within the property,

• it could be coming in via cracks in the masonry,

• Rising damp due to an ineffective damp proof course.

• Even rainwater penetrating through the aging paintwork.

Dealing with these blisters / bubbles early is important because when they begin to burst and peel off, it will leave the surface exposed and will eventually make the problem worse.

Chalking

Chalking is very easy to identify, if you rub your hand over the surface of any previously painted wall area, and there is a chalky powder on your hand you have Chalking.

Chalking means that the resin in the paint have started breaking down. This is typically caused by UV light from the sun.

Essentially resin is the glue that holds all the other paint ingredients together.

Once the resin breaks down, the powders and pigments are no longer bonded together. So, they simply turn back to a fine powder.

Some paints are more resistant to UV breakdown than others but over time this will happen to all paints.

When a paint starts chalking it is at the end of its life cycle and needs to be re-painted. If left untreated the paint will start to come off and leaves the surface underneath exposed to the elemnts.

It is common to see this sort of thing on garage doors that have been neglected, as well as masonry surfaces.

Cracked or Blown Render

Cracked and blown render are typically caused by rainwater penetrating a wall, then expanding through freezing and thawing.

This is why it is essential that you keep your guttering and downpipes in good condition and free from leaks

You can easliy identify blown render by running a ring spanner across your masonry is a quick and easy way to identify blown areas.

Any areas that sound hollow have ‘blown’. Which essentially means the render has come away from the surface underneath.

Repairing cracks and blown render is essential to maintaining your property and should be done before any painting takes place. Most good Plasterers should be able to repair any damaged render for you.

If the blown render is not dealt with, water will still be able to get in behind the paint and cause further issues.

Peeling / Flaking Paintwork

If your paintwork is peeling and flaking this means there is an issue with the adhesion. (The paint has not stuck to the surface properly).

This can be caused by several things. Including incorrect products being used or the surface being damp, dirty or dusty before the paint was applied.

Dealing with this promptly will ensure your property does not remain exposed to further weather damage causing the timber underneath to rot.

Rotten Windows and Doors

When moisture does get into wooden doors and window frames it can cause a lot expense and damage. Including making them rotten. Regular maintenance is the best way to stop this happening and avoid having to replace windows and doors unnecessarily.

It can also mean windows and doors swell, making it impossible to close and secure them properly!

Mould / Dirt Pick Up

You can easily identify mould or dirt pick up on a painted surface, Areas or patches of green on a wall is mould and dirt pick up is usually more uniform and just looks grubby and well dirty.

Organic growth, such as mould, algae and lichen need moisture to survive and grow. If you have this on your walls then it means the surface has become porous and is holding moisture.

This is a good sign that the paint is coming towards the end of its life and needs to be re-painted soon.

Faded Colour

Another issue caused by UV light from the Sun is colour fading. Certain pigments in paint can fade over time and depending on which areas of your home get more sunlight than others you can start to see areas becoming patchy.

Investing in higher quality paints can reduce this issue.

What other benefits are there to painting the exterior of your home?

Painting the exterior of your home doesn’t just protect against these issues, it can also transform the look giving your home ‘kerb appeal’

This can be brilliant for the value of your property…plus it’ll make the neighbours jealous!

Final Thought

More often than not, prevention is way cheaper than cure.

Regular maintenance to the exterior of your home is essential.  

Not only to improve the look but also save you money in the long run.

If you need further help or advice please feel free to contact Trevor TJ Painitng and Decorating 01420 88910 or trevor@tjdecor.co.uk

Flaking Exterior Paintwork - Is never a good sign!!!

Does your home have flaking and cracking paintwork?

This is never a good sign; Commonly known in the “trade” as paint failure.

It is due to the reduction of the bond between a coat of paint and the surface to which it was originally applied.

This failure can occur if a coat is thin, inconsistent, a failed adhesion in the application process or the coating has just simply failed over the years through lack of a regular exterior maintenance programme.

Without proper preparation and know-how, a seemingly nice coat of paint can fail, ruining your exterior timber and forcing you to start from scratch.

 CAUSES OF FLAKY AND CRACKING PAINT

While flaking occurs when paint is lifted from the underlying timber surface, cracking is caused by the splitting of a dry paint film from one or more coats of paint. According to painting experts, these two symptoms can occur for a few main reasons:

Water/Humidity: Paint that’s applied to a damp surface or paint that’s exposed to high humidity can peel easily. Plywood especially can expand and contract depending on humidity levels, making it prone to cracks and flaking in the surface coating.

Lack of Surface Preparation: When your paint surface is dirty or isn’t primed properly it’s prone to cracking and flaking even with a just a thin layer.

Expired or Low-Quality Paint: These paints can peel much more quickly than fresh, high-quality paint.

Improper Application: This is the most common cause of paint failure, especially when wood with an excessive amount of a “flat” hard grain is used.

Your best chance for avoiding paint failure when applying a coat of paint on your own is to be sure you’re using quality paint on a properly-prepared dry surface.

 If you’re not sure you can tackle this yourself, reach out to a painting professional you can trust

 HOW IT’S HARMFUL

To be honest a house with cracked, flaking paint isn’t inviting.

But besides being a visually unappealing, cracking, flaking paintwork on timber can leave to more expensive repairs if left unchecked.

If your building was built before 1978, there’s a chance that you could be dealing with paint that has lead in it. Lead paint is most dangerous when it’s cracking, blistering, or flaking, because it’s deteriorating and can cause lead-contaminated dust to be released into the air. This may lead to health problems in people of all ages, so it’s important to take precautions against it. Make sure your exterior timber is tested for lead before taking on any big renovations.

BENEFITS OF FIXING PAINT FAILURE EARLY

By keep your external timber in good condition, you’ll be able to save yourself hassle and money in the future.

Smaller, hairline cracks can be fixed more easily as a DIY project with the proper tools. But, if you have peeling or flaking paint, you’re at risk for water damage or damage to the substrate beneath that require professional attention. Depending on how deep the damage goes within the timbers, it will cost more and more to replace it, so it’s important to call in a professional immediately.

By routinely looking for smaller cracks, you’ll be able to avoid pricier renovations and replacements of your exterior woodwork.

BRINGING IN AN EXPERT

Since flaking or cracking paintwork can cause a property to lose its aesthetics and can also affect the value of your home, it is important that you repair the issues when they begin to appear.

Considering that improper paint application is a major factor in this, it’s imperative to choose a reputable and reliable Painter and Decorator who can repair flaking and cracking paintwork and will properly apply high-quality paint and coatings that are formulated for the specific surface and environmental conditions.

If you are noticing hairline cracks or peeling, flaky paint on your home’s external woodwork.

Please consider calling us we’d be happy to examine your property and determine the best solution possible.

Click the link below to make an appointment today

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