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A New Paint Job Can Save You Thousands
Most of us are no strangers to the
costly repairs that directly parallel owning a home.
If you are one of the select few that has not had to
deal with one of these less than fun tasks, get
ready because you will, and most likely sooner than
later. The main reason for repairs being more
frequent and costly is a lack of preventative
actions which can save you thousands when it comes
to home repairs.
Exterior paint is one of the most important
aspects of your home. Think of it as clothing for
your house, protecting the vital areas from the
damaging elements. When paint fails, it leaves wood
open to a barrage of dangers. Which, when not
treated can quickly destroy your home, and cost you
tens of thousands of dollars in damage if not more.
A good quality paint protects wood from water, sun
and mold damage, the three main causes of wood
failure.
The key to preventing rotting,
molding and cracking wood is to make sure your home
is constantly “clothed”. Every year homeowners
should do a thorough inspection of all the painted
areas of their home. Just as with many serious
illnesses, detection is also the most important part
of failing paint. When quickly identified, proper
prep work, priming and painting can prevent the need
to replace the wood in your house.
- Check all paint for cracking
or chipping. The best places to look are near
corners, window sills, door sills, edges,
rooflines and any other spot you might see
standing water. These spots indicate that the
paint has been penetrated and can no longer
protect your wood from water damage.
- Also look for fading paint.
Obviously, after time any paint will begin to
fade, but areas that have constant sun will
begin to change the paints chemical composition,
which will lead to it not protecting to its
fullest potential. This can lead to cracking and
warping wood.
- Alligatoring is another term
used to describe failing paint. This is when the
paint actually begins to take on the look and
feel of alligator skin. This is also a symptom
that water is beginning to penetrate the paint.
- Mildew is almost
self-explanatory. Found in damp, shaded areas,
your paint will begin to turn a green or black
color which is almost impossible to scrub off by
hand.
Once you have identified any of
these problems, it’s time for a fresh coat of paint.
Many San Diego
painting contractors can easily be found in your
area who can provide you with quality paint jobs,
some with prices more affordable than others. The
internet is a great way to find various painters in
your area, most of which provide free estimates for
any exterior paint work. All Around the Home is
website dedicated to providing homeowners with
quality contractors in their area.
The Painting Process When choosing
the right contractor for the job be sure to ask many
questions.
- The most important one is the
kind of prep work that will be done before the
actual paint is applied. All surfaces that will
be painted should be pressure washed a couple
days in advance of the paint work. This
thoroughly cleans those areas, and also helps to
remove mildew and chipped/failing paint.
- Be sure the wood is given
enough time to dry completely before primer and
paint is applied. All spots where paint is
cracked, chipped, or alligatoring should be
carefully scraped and sanded.
- An initial coat of primer
should be applied to all surfaces being painted
to ensure the paint will adhere correctly.
Contrary to popular notion, primer does not have
to be white or gray; it can be tinted at the
paint store to match the final paint color you
have chosen.
- Also be sure to ask about the
quality and warranty of the paint your
contractor will use, as well as if they are
insured and bonded.
Generally, painting an entire
house should take no longer than a week at most, and
doing trim work 1-2 days. A good contractor will
make sure the work site is clean, with supplies and
materials stored away after each day of work. Also,
be sure your contractor will take precautionary
measures to make sure your landscaping, driveway,
walkway, etc. do not receive the same paint job your
house gets. Trust me when I say, a few drop cloths
can go a long way.
Your home will now be ready to
face anything Mother Nature can throw its way, well
anything short of a tornado at least. Keeping a
fresh coat of paint on your house is a wise
investment. Spending the money to protect the
precious wood that lies beneath is a decision you
cannot afford to live without. Wood damage is an
ugly and costly repair that you do not want to add
to your list of home improvement projects. Be smart,
save yourself money in the long run, keep your house
protected and not to mention looking great!
All Around the Home (http://www.allaroundthehome.com)
is a national home improvement contractor
directory. Homeowners can find established,
quality contractors including
painters for their exterior or interior
painting needs.
If you are looking for
a professional painting contractor in San
Diego County,
please call us today at 1-619-265-5820 or complete
our
online request form.
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