Understanding the Importants of Our Professional Preperation
Chipping and Peeling
There are two signs you need to spruce up your exterior paint; obvious mass coating failures, or small amounts of chipping and peeling, about the size of a dime, which expose the wood underneath. These are both signs your top coat of paint isn’t protecting the wood from rain, wind and sun. Paint protects your wood the same way that skin protects the body.
There are several other ways to tell if your home needs to be painted and renewed; the color is fading and is noticeably lighter, there are water streak lines, the white colors are turning grey, and/or deep colors are losing their base and depth. Also, if you find chalking on the surface of the paint, it may mean you need to get your home power washed and painted.
To test for chalking, touch the paint surface with your finger; if it leaves a chalky paint residue on your hands this is a sign the paint is breaking down. It is time to repaint; new paint will never leave any film on your hand.
Mildew
Contrary to popular belief, mildew does grow in cold weather. It lays dormant throughout the winter and springs to life with the moisture and warmth of the spring season. Mildew will look like little spores and/or dark spots on the paint. Mildew is a sign that your slick, glossy paint surface needs refreshed; it allows spores to grow in the nooks and crannies of the paint surface.Often, honest and established painters will let you know if a simple and cost efficient power washing is enough maintenance for that year. Mildew can sometimes be easily removed with a professional pressure wash, although sometimes it will require a new coat of paint to keep your home protected.
Caulking
Caulking failure can be extremely dangerous for your home. The caulk can pop-out or split open leaving you with these potential problems:
1. Lose of energy efficiency from the inside of your home to the outside.
2. Weather, like rain and wind can enter your home where caulk has failed.
3. Insects and critters can enter where caulking failure occurred.
4. Moisture can get behind the wood and paint, which leads to peeling of paint, rotting of wood and mildew growth on the surface and inside the home.
Caulking is also important cosmetically; if it is done properly, it will look seamless with your paint color. It will make the exterior of your home tight and secure. The look will be more complete and your home will instantly benefit from a solid and thorough caulking application.