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?
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