5 Signs That You Need An Exterior Painting Solution
Issues with your exterior paint may mean that your home needs a new paint job sooner rather than later. Being able to spot the issues means you can find an exterior painter to fix them before the problem becomes too severe.
1. Temperature Blisters
Temperature blistering is a common issue that follows a DIY paint job. A bright, sunny day may seem like the perfect time to try painting a wall of your home, but when the heat of the sun beating on the newly painted wall heats up the moist layers of paint, blistering can occur. That's because the heat causes the outer paint layer to dry more quickly than those beneath. This is why professionals avoid painting on very hot days and why they ensure every paint layer dries thoroughly before applying the next.
2. Moisture Bubbles
Moisture bubbles can form on new or old paint, as they result from trapped moisture trying to evaporate through the paint layers. With new paint, moisture bubbles form when a damp surface is painted or if the paint is applied in damp weather. On an older painted surface, the bubbles indicate that moisture has somehow seeped behind your siding or gotten in through cracks in the aging paint. Moisture bubbles are a sign that it's time to scrape and repaint the exterior of your home.
3. Cracked Paint
When the layers of paint get too thick, they begin to develop a fine glazing of cracks as the paint ages. This is due to uneven contraction and expansion between the paint layers during temperature changes. The chances of cracking increase as the paint ages. Your painters won't simply paint over a wall with cracking. Instead, they must first scrape off some of the old layers so that cracking won't affect any newly applied paint.
4. Peeling Layers
Poor adhesion is the cause behind peeling. Adhesion may be poor if the surface wasn't properly cleaned before painting, or if oil-based paint was layered over water-based paint. In older paint, peeling is a result of moisture seeping between the layers. Peeling paint must be scraped off before the surface can be prepared and repainted, or the problem will carry through to the new coat of paint.
5. Discoloration
Paint typically discolors as it ages. It may develop a chalky appearance as the surface begins to degrade in the UV sunlight, or dark discolorations may appear as moisture begins to affect the old paint. Regardless of the cause, a new paint job is the only solution.
Contact an exterior painting contractor if your home's exterior shows any of the above issues. An exterior painter can provide more information.