As a homeowner, you no doubt appreciate the immense importance of good curb appeal. No matter how beautiful your home may be on the inside, an undesirable exterior can severely detract from others’ opinions of your property. It’s critical to stay on top of various forms of routine maintenance to keep the outside of your home in peak condition. One of the most important aspects of your exterior design is your siding. This is one of the first things visitors, prospective buyers, and passersby will notice about a property, and it sets the stage for first impressions of your home. As such, it’s essential to know when your home’s exterior is in need of a fresh coat of paint. Keep an eye out for these nine indicators that it’s time to contact an exterior painting company.
1. The Paint Is Fading
When your home’s exterior was first painted, the color was most likely quite vibrant. However, time has almost certainly taken a toll on that vibrancy. It can be hard to notice your exterior paint fading because this change happens so gradually, but if you think the outside of your home looks a little duller than it used to, it’s probably not your imagination. When your local exterior painting company finishes repainting your siding, you’ll be amazed at the difference!
2. The Paint Is Cracking, Bubbling, or Peeling
When it comes to inspecting your exterior paint, you’ll need to pay attention to more than just the color. Issues with the texture can also be major red flags. One of the biggest things to keep an eye out for is cracking, bubbling, or peeling paint. These issues are frequently the result of moisture creeping through imperfections in your walls. It’s crucial to patch up any cracks or holes to prevent the problem from becoming worse. Then, contact qualified professionals to give your home a fresh, smooth coat of paint.
3. The Paint Is Chalking
Chalking refers to the buildup of a powdery white substance on the outside of your home. This is usually due to long-term exposure to the elements, but it may also be the result of the previous painters using low-quality paint. When you work with a knowledgeable exterior painting company, they’ll be happy to offer insight into the paint brand and types they use, so you can rest assured you’ll be getting high-quality results that will keep chalking at bay in the future.
4. There Are Cracks in the Caulk
Caulk plays an essential role in preserving the rest of your exterior paint. Neat and clean caulk also gives your home a crisper, tidier appearance overall. Caulk loses its elasticity over time, and it will eventually start to crack. If you’ve noticed cracks developing in your caulk, this is a sign that the rest of your exterior paint needs an update as well.
5. Your Energy Bills Have Gone Up
If you’ve noticed a steady increase in your energy bills, your first thought may be that it’s time to upgrade your windows or doors. However, these aren’t the only areas of your home you should pay attention to. Your siding can also prevent your home from staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Your exterior paint plays a surprisingly important role in regulating the temperature of your home, so if it’s started to wear down, it’s time to add a new coat.
6. You Have Mold on the Outside of Your House
Mold is more than just an eyesore; it can also lead to a host of health complications for you and your family, even if you’re only dealing with this problem on the outside of your house. You can easily spot mold on your home’s exterior by looking for oddly colored spots with a fuzzy or slimy texture. Mitigating this issue as soon as possible is critical, but removing existing mold isn’t the end of the process. You’ll also need to repaint your siding to restore it to its former state. Don’t hesitate to ask your exterior painting company which paint types offer the best mold resistance. Using these products will help ensure your home stays mold-free in the future.
7. You No Longer Love the Color
Perhaps you bought your home recently and don’t like the color the previous owner chose for the exterior. Perhaps home design trends or your own personal tastes have changed a lot since your last exterior paint job. Regardless of the reason, you never need to settle for a paint color that doesn’t make you happy. The sight of your house should make you feel welcome and comforted when you come home from work or running errands, but the wrong color can have the opposite effect. If you feel like it’s time for a change, listen to your gut. Talk to your exterior painting company about your aesthetic goals, and they can help you choose the perfect shade to meet your preferences.
8. You’re Looking to Sell Your Home
If you’re planning on selling your property in the near future, good curb appeal should be at the forefront of your mind. If your exterior paint is in poor condition or the color is outdated, this can turn potential buyers away from your home. Hiring an exterior painting company shortly before you put your house on the market will help draw buyers in. This way, you’ll be more likely to complete the sale quickly and easily. You’ll also probably fetch a much better price for your property and recoup significantly more money than you spent on your exterior painting project.
9. It’s Been a While Since Your Home Was Painted
Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that this list is far from exhaustive. Just because you haven’t noticed any of the signs outlined above doesn’t necessarily mean that your house wouldn’t benefit from new exterior paint. According to the lifestyle and design website Hunker, quality exterior paintwork may last as long as 15 years before it needs to be repainted. However, waiting 15 full years to repaint your home will likely be a huge mistake. After years of exposure to the elements, even the best paint is bound to wear down, leading to structural problems and a less attractive appearance. If it’s been more than five years since your home was last painted, you should thoroughly assess the state of your paint and consider whether it’s time for an update. Having your home repainted a little earlier than you absolutely need to is never a bad idea.
If you’ve determined that your home is in need of new exterior paint, you’ll need to hire the best professionals in your area for this upgrade. Fortunately, your search for a top-tier exterior painting company can end here! At Derheim Painting, we make solid customer service and high-quality results our top priorities, so you can rely on us for exterior painting services that will meet your high expectations. We even offer one hour of touch-ups every year for all projects with contracts of $5,000 or more. Contact our licensed and insured exterior painting company today to learn more about our services or request a quote. We look forward to taking your property to the next level with a fresh coat of paint!