That fresh coat of paint we just put on your home looks great, but it won’t stay that way forever.
It takes a little time and money to perform proper maintenance on your exterior paint, but it takes a lot more time and money to put on a fresh coat. So, next time you’re taking care of yard work and handling the other chores around the house, add these tasks to your list:
1. Perform a visual inspection
The first step is admitting you have a problem. Walk around your house and, if necessary, use a ladder to do a check on upper floors. It’s best to solve any issues as soon as you spot them, but if you’re coming back later, make sure to take notes or you might miss a spot when you return.
2. Scrape away loose paint
Scraped-off paint may not be an attractive look, but if you don’t contain the damage it will only expand. A paint scraper and a steel brush will do the job. Really get in there and scrape away all the loose flakes.
3. Kill mildew
Nasty black patches of mildew are ugly and unhealthy. Just painting over mildew won’t solve the problem, but a mix of bleach and water will make short work of it.
4. Prime and touch-up
With loose paint and other flaws wiped away, it’s time to repair the damage. Start with a coat of primer, allow it to fully dry, and then apply a couple of coats of touchup paint—it’s for just these kinds of repairs that you want to keep a little leftover paint in storage, or at least make a note of the paint you used so you can get more.
5. Wash away the grime
Dust, dirt, and pollution can build up over time and degrade your exterior paint. A high-pressure washing could damage your paint, but a good spray with your garden hose will do a lot of good without doing any damage. Be sure to hit areas like overhangs that might not be exposed to the natural cleansing power of rain.
There you go, take care of those chores once a year and it should be a long time before you need to call us again. But if you’ve got another job—or you’re just feeling lonely without a team of Zenith Home Finishes painting contractors keeping you company—give us a call at 800-381-4601.
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