How to Tell When your House is Ready for New Paint

New Braunfels was first settled in the 1800s, so some homes around our town may need more paint than we think. It's easy in this time of rapid growth to forget that your home may have some telltale signs of needing a new paint job. It may be time to get a new coat of paint on your house!

Now, we all don't live in the Lohse-Fisher house (1) or any of the other historic homes, but there are still things we can do to keep our homes protected and up to date.

Your home is likely your biggest asset, and having a fresh coat of paint on it can go a long way to protecting it and improving its value. Thus, if you aim to preserve your home for the long haul, it's essential to know when your house is ready for a new coat of paint.

From dulled colors that have lost their vivacity to paint that looks like reptilian plates, these indications are hard to overlook. Don't let water damage, mold proliferation, or the wear and tear of time bring down the beauty of your home.

We will explore the key signs that will tell you when it's time to roll up your sleeves and transform your dull-looking dwelling into an exquisite work of art with a fresh coat of paint.

Fading Colors and Dull Appearance

Identifying if it's time for a new paint job for your house can be done by walking around your house and observing the paint from your foundation line up to your highest fascia. Over time, the hot Texas sun can cause paint to become dim and flat.

You may find that the colors on your most sun-exposed wall have been reduced to a monotonous hue. Or you may notice that the paint in the eaves (where the roof overhangs past the walls) is cracking and flaking. Another common spot is by the highest waterspout, where often the ground has dropped and the wall is left crackling from excessive moisture.

More minor future issues would be a lackluster look showing that the protective topcoat of paint has been worn thin, exposing your house to environmental threats.

If you continuously try to clean dirt and mold stains that won't disappear, it's an obvious sign that you must repaint your abode. Safeguarding your home with fresh paint has the added benefit of making it look a lot better!

Cracking and Peeling Paint

If you observe your walls' paint looking less than ideal, it may be time to give them some much-needed attention. Peeling and cracking paint looks unappealing and places your walls at risk.

Here are three signals that suggest it's time for a new coat of paint:

1. Flaking: When paint starts to come off in little pieces, it's a clear sign that the adhesion between the wall surface and the paint has weakened. 
2. Bubbling: Bubbles forming beneath the paint can be due to moisture entering the walls or inadequate surface preparation. These bubbles can eventually lead to peeling and cracking.
3. Fissures: Profound cracks running through multiple layers of paint point to underlying issues, including structural movement or high moisture infiltration.

If you see cracking, the thing not to do is leave it alone. Find an inconspicuous spot and a scraper, and see how deep the flaking and cracking go. If it goes through many layers of paint and into the wall, you may have bigger issues like wood rot or pest damage. It might be time not only for a new paint job but also to consult pest control pros.

If it's only the top layer, then there are simple solutions to get your home protected from the coming winter.

Mold and Mildew Growth

Mold is a serious issue. If you do spot it, don't delay, as the health ramifications of living with mold can impact you for decades. Take aggressive action to remove and prevent mold and mildew from damaging the things you care about.

Here are several indicators that signify the existence of mold or mildew in your residence:



• Fusty scent: If you can smell a fusty scent from outside, you certainly have a mold issue worth checking on.

• Discoloration on your walls: Look for patches of black, green, or brown discoloration on surfaces.

• Peeling or bubbling paint: Moisture from mold and mildew growth can cause paint to peel or bubble. This can also be caused by poor prep work from the last painting or painting before surfaces were dry.

• Allergic symptoms: If you experience sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, or skin irritation inside your home, it may be due to mold.

• High humidity: High humidity levels that are too high, like in New Braunfels, form the optimal mold and mildew growth environment. We need to be especially diligent about patrolling our homes for mold.

By being proactive and dealing with these concerns quickly, you can guarantee the longevity and purity of your residence.

Damage from Weather and Age

If you walk around your house and see your home suffering from damage from a storm or other weather event, this is almost always an indication that you need to make repairs and your paint will need to be fixed.

Texas storms, heat, and humidity mean that the walls of our house take a beating. If the paint isn't applied well or isn't of the quality we need, then the pigments in the paint will quickly be fried, and the protective nature of that paint job will be compromised. Paint that splits, sloughs off, or fades over the long haul is not good enough for our homes. This affects the look of your house and leaves it exposed to additional harm and more expensive repairs later.

As your house ages, it's natural for wear and tear to occur. Constant exposure to the elements can wear out the protective layer of paint, leaving your residence prone to water infiltration and rotting wood.

Examining your home regularly for indications of weather-related destruction or aging paint is key to determining when it's time for a new coat of paint.

Conclusion

Having your house painted is a regular part of maintaining your property. Walk around your house and look for faded paint, cracking, bubbling, or discoloration.

Paint can be a great way to lower the long-term investments needed to keep your house in good condition. However, letting the paint be compromised leaves your home vulnerable to exterior water issues, mold growth, mildew, and deterioration.

If you are looking for a quality painter in New Braunfels familiar with the trials a home goes through, give Integrity House Painting a call. Enhance your home's curb appeal and ensure its long-lasting beauty and durability with our professional services. Don't wait until the paint issues become more significant problems. Contact us today and let our skilled team of house painters revitalize your home's exterior, making it a sight to behold in your neighborhood. We'd love to come out, give you an estimate, and see if we can't protect your home from that harsh Texas weather.

Discover more about our exterior painting service by clicking here.

References:

(1) https://www.newbraunfelsconservation.org/lohse-fischer-house/