If you have an older home, it’s important to keep the painted exterior well-maintained to prevent deterioration and preserve its curb appeal. At Sundeleaf Painting, we provide residential and commercial painting services, as well as other specialized services, near you in Portland, Oregon. Here, we explore the importance of exterior paint maintenance on older homes and how to perform it.
Key Takeaways
- Exterior paint maintenance is important for older homes to prevent damage like wood rot, moisture intrusion, pests, and mold.
- To maintain an older home’s exterior, homeowners should regularly inspect the paint, wash the paint gently, touch up small areas of chipped or peeling paint, and repair damage like rot promptly.
- Signs that exterior paint is failing include peeling, cracking, chalking, soft wood, mildew, and open seams.
- Sundeleaf Painting provides exterior painting services, as well as historic home painting, helping Portland homeowners maintain their properties.
Why Does Exterior Paint Maintenance Matter on Older Homes?
While many modern houses use synthetic siding materials that offer protection from the elements and other damage, most older homes were designed with painted wood, stucco, or brick. This paint is the main defense against the elements and resulting damage, but it can chip, peel, crack, and wear away over time. If your paint isn’t maintained, it leaves your house exposed to threats like:
- Weather damage
- Wood rot
- Pest infestations
- Moisture damage
- Mold
This is why exterior paint maintenance is important. It helps prevent these issues, and it also helps preserve your home’s historic value, enhance its curb appeal, and help reduce the risk of exposure to deteriorating lead-based paint.
Seasonal Exterior Maintenance Checklist
To maintain your home’s exterior paint, you will need to take regular steps towards keeping it in good condition. They include:
Spring Inspection
After a long winter, a spring inspection of your home’s exterior is a good way to identify any new peeling, flaking, or cracking paint. You should also check any areas that are vulnerable to rot or moisture damage, such as windowsills and door frames. If you notice any spots that need touch-ups, make a note to complete them once the weather is mostly dry.
It’s a good idea to gently wash the exterior using a low-pressure hose or soft brush to rinse away salt, dirt, and mildew. Avoid high-pressure settings that can damage aged substrate or strip historic paint.
Summer Upkeep
Early summer is a good time to tackle any paint you want to touch up or redo, as there is typically dry weather with moderate humidity. If your home was built before 1978, be aware that lead-based paint may be present and requires careful handling.
When you repaint, you should also inspect the caulking and seals around the windows, doors, and trim to ensure they’re in good condition. If they’re not, recaulking is smart to prevent moisture intrusion. Trimming any nearby bushes and trees to keep them away from exterior walls helps prevent trapped moisture and rot.
Fall Cleaning and Touch-Ups
Once summer is over, inspect your home’s exterior for any fading or blistering from UV damage. If you notice any damaged areas, you may want to repaint them before winter arrives. You should also clean the exterior gently and clear the gutters and downspouts to prevent overflowing water that can affect paint.
Completing these steps throughout the year helps keep your older home’s exterior paint in the best condition possible. Sundeleaf Painting is also here to help you with touch-ups, repainting, and maintenance tips.
Schedule a Maintenance Consultation at Sundeleaf Painting
Maintaining your older home’s paint is crucial to prevent damage that can affect its appearance and structure. At Sundeleaf Painting, we provide thorough inspections, repairs before painting, and professional exterior painting with long-lasting finishes. Check out our portfolio for inspiration or schedule a consultation for older home exterior painting near you in Portland, OR, by contacting us today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exterior Paint Maintenance
How do you maintain exterior paint on an older home?
To maintain exterior paint on an older home, you should inspect the paint regularly, wash the paint gently, touch up small areas of chipped or peeling paint, and repair damage promptly.
How often should older homes be inspected for paint failure?
Older homes should be inspected for paint failure at least once a year, but once a season is best.
What are early signs that exterior paint is failing?
Some of the signs that exterior paint is failing include:
- Peeling
- Cracking
- Chalking
- Mildew
- Soft wood
- Open seams
Can peeling paint be touched up or does the house need repainting?
It depends on the extent. If the damage is small and localized, peeling paint can often be spot repaired. However, extensive peeling requires repainting the entire wall or section.
How does Portland rain affect exterior paint and wood siding?
Portland’s rainy weather can contribute to paint deterioration, including peeling and blistering. It can also result in trapped moisture inside wood siding, which can lead to warping and rot.
Is power washing safe for older homes?
Typically, power washing is not recommended for older homes because it can damage delicate paint and force water into hidden gaps.
What maintenance helps prevent rot and moisture damage?
Maintenance that helps prevent rot and moisture damage includes recaulking around windows and doors, trimming nearby bushes and trees, and cleaning the gutters and drainage systems regularly.
When should homeowners call a professional exterior painter?
Homeowners should call a professional exterior painter when they want a complete repainting, when extensive prep work is required, or when they’re unable to do the painting project themselves.
