House renovation is one of the most important activities for homeowners. Although it might be time consuming and inconvenient, it is one of the best investments that extend good looks and the integrity of our homes. One of the ways in which we can renovate our homes is by repainting the interior and exterior walls. Doing this can transform a home becoming dull into a pristine living space you are proud to call home. While most modern paints are designed to last for 5-10 years, many factors can contribute to luster loss and paint longevity.
While re-doing your walls based on instinct is a good start, some specific warning signs indicate that it is time to apply a fresh coat of paint. So how do you know the crucial indicators? When is the right time to repaint? How often should you repaint? Let’s find out.
Signs That Indicate It’s Time to Repaint
- Fading Paint
Fading paint is a common warning sign. Paint fades because of the bleaching effect brought about by the UV rays of the sun. Interestingly, dark hues fade faster than pale shades. We might expect fading over time on the sunny side of our home. But when fading occurs on our home’s shady side, it’s a clear indication of water intrusion or vapor barrier issues. If you can’t seem to find the source of the problem, consult an expert.
- Morphed Paint Color
As earlier stated, UV rays cause paint fading. The result can be devastating and our carefully selected color can transform into something undesired. For instance, when your exterior, beige walls transform to pink, it is an indication you need to repaint your walls with a grade of paint that can especially survive the effects of UV rays.
- Cracking, Bubbling or Flaking Paint
These signs signal mold, wet rot or dry rot brought about by failed waterproofing. Extreme humidity, harsh winters, ocean breezes, blowing sand, and strong sunlight also play a role in damaging the paint job on our walls.
Factors That Determine Timing For Exterior Repainting
Other than weather and the climate, how the previous paint job was done, how we maintain our homes and where we live determine when we should repaint our exterior walls. The material used to build our walls also determine when we should repaint. For instance, brick sidings require repainting after 15-20 years while stucco requires repainting after 5-6 years.
- Previous Paint Job
It is important for any homeowner to know about the details of their home’s previous paint job if possible. When your home was last painted and how many coats were applied during the painting process is useful information. Knowing these details will help homeowners determine when they should repaint their homes again. Typically the better preparation that was used, the longer lasting the paint job. Before painting, take care of stucco holes, rotten wood, and any spots of molds.
- Where You Live
Your home’s location goes a long way in determining when you should repaint your exterior walls. If you live by the beach where the weather is always hot, and the wind continuously blows sand to your walls, you might need to repaint your home’s exterior after 3-5 years. The same applies to homes that are in places that experience harsh winters. Intense storms and harsh winters bring about high humidity levels which cause faster aging of paint jobs. While lighter shades might last longer, darker hues will deteriorate at a quicker rate. Do trees cover your house or does it receive direct sunlight? Direct sunlight causes paint bubbling and faster fading.
- Exterior House Maintenance
Exterior house maintenance aims to prevent further damage or spotting and fixing issues before the situation gets out of hand. Being on the lookout for wear and tear signs is crucial. Watch out for rot, dampness, chalkiness, mold, and rodent or insect infestation. If you detect any of these signs, take care of the issue as soon as possible. Doing this not only helps keep your family safe, but it also makes your paint job last longer. Ensure that you regularly wash moss and dirt off your home’s surface before your paint starts breaking down.
Additional Considerations When Repainting
While some homeowners repaint the interior of their homes to reflect their personality, mood, and lifestyle, most homeowners repaint the interior of their homes depending on other factors. This may include a shift in current trends of décor or family milestones. The type of room also determines when interior repaints should be done. Let us take a look at these factors at an individual level.
- Family Milestone
A homeowner will likely paint his or her child’s room depending on their age For instance, a parent may repaint his or her 12-year-old child’s room because the child no longer sees it fit to sleep in a room which has rainbow colors. A rooms color sets the tone of the entire room. They’ve outgrown the selections when they were only 6 years old and are ready to embrace their new teenage preferences.
- A Shift in Current Trends
We live in a world where trends change every day. What was fashionable a few years ago may be considered as archaic in the modern world. If your interior décor rocked during Barack’s first term at the White House, it might no longer be viewed as trending. As you know, most homeowners like to match their interior décor’s color with the room’s color. This means that when a homeowner decides to revamp or upgrade his or her décor, he or she may see it fitting to repaint the interior walls as well.
- Type of Room
The amount of activity that goes on in a room or space determines when it should be repainted. High traffic areas such as hallways or corridors are prone to faster wear and tear due to constant use by people. As such, they need to be repainted more frequently compared to other rooms that have less traffic like the bedroom.
A bedroom may not need frequent repainting, but there is an exemption. Young children’s or teenagers’ bedrooms may need frequent repainting compared to their parent’s bedrooms. Dining and living rooms may not require constant repainting since repainting a specific color means revamping your interior décor. On the other hand, rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens may need frequent repainting because they are exposed to factors such as spilling of liquids and grease. You may also be required to repaint your ceiling once you spot yellow spots on a white ceiling.
Conclusion
Interior and exterior painting is not a walk in the park. For the best results when painting our homes, we need to hire professionals who are well equipped to handle such delicate tasks and make your painting experience a breeze. Doing so is the only way to ensure you get quality paint jobs that last for years. If you believe that your home’s interior or exterior siding requires a fresh coat of paint, do not hesitate to contact C.E.T Painting for a free estimate. For quotes and inquiries, visit our website or give us a call on (914) 615-1415.