The Right Time to Repaint: 3 Ways to Know

Repainting your home’s exterior is no small task. Despite the potential cost and challenges, a fresh coat of paint is one of the most important upgrades you can make. Not only will new paint make your home look better, it will help prevent other long-term issues caused by aging paint. But how do you know when it’s time to repaint? Here we will go over the major signs that your home is due for a fresh coat of paint.

Cracking, Peeling or Bubbling Paint

If you notice your current house paint cracking or peeling it’s a sign you need a change. Not only are these issues unsightly, they might also lead to more serious problems like mold or dry rot. Failed weatherproofing often causes cracks, peeling and bubbling. Over time, even the best weatherproofing techniques will show damage from hot sun, strong winds, rain or snow. Exposure to the elements can damage paint over time which will leave the materials underneath unprotected. This increases the risk of mold, mildew and dry rot. These paint issues will also continue to get worse and quickly. It’s a good idea to take action as soon as you notice the damage instead of waiting for it to become visible from the street.

Fading or Changes in Color

Even without cracks, paint can show its age in its color. If you notice that the paint color of your house has faded, that means sun exposure has gradually broken down the pigment. If you have a lot of shade it might have happened more slowly than it would in full sun, but you might also notice inconsistency in color from one area of exposure to the next. Besides fading, some paints can change in color with age and exposure to the elements. If the original paint was not of the proper exterior grade, UV rays may have even morphed the color into another—for example, creamy beige can take on a pink cast. These signs are good reasons to invest in a new coat of paint.

Are You Selling Your Home?

When it comes to curb appeal, nothing boosts the look of your house like a new coat of paint. If you’re planning to sell your home you should consider fresh paint even if you haven’t noticed other signs of age or damage. Not only will new paint make the home look newer, you can also make necessary color changes to appeal to a wider audience. Many trendy and bold paint colors fall out of style or only cater to specific tastes, but fresh neutrals will show off your home in the best way without distraction. Brand new paint is also a value increase that could mean a higher selling price.

Exterior paint is important both visually and practically. Not only does it have a huge effect on first impressions, it can help protect your home from the elements. Finding the right paint color and type for your specific needs is a huge step in improving the overall health and longevity of your home while also making it look its best.