For many of us, lockdown has given us some welcome free time to complete home improvement projects around the house. Many of these projects up and down the country have been painting and decorating related. Painters Llandudno have put together a how-to guide for some of the most common problems that DIYer’s have been running into.
How to Fix Fading Exterior Paint
For those potentially looking to sell their homes after lockdown is lifted, having a good-looking exterior always adds value and gives a good impression from the start. The main issue with painting the exterior of the building is the gradual fade of the paint colour.
Causes of fading exterior paint:
- Using low-quality paint
- Using paint which has a low film thickness
- Coastal weather conditions
- Extreme weather temperatures
- Exposure to sunlight; UV radiation is harsh to the pigmentation of the paint
- Darker paint attracts more light than lighter coloured paint
- Some colours such as bright blue, yellow and red are much more vulnerable to paint colour fading due to UV radiation
Solutions for fading exterior paint:
If your exterior paint has started to fade and chalk, the only solution is to pressure wash or to scrub the entire surface paint and chalking and then start again.
When you are painting for the first time, or re-painting:
- Choose a high-quality paint from a manufacturers which guarantees a degree of UV resistance
- If the paint is going to be exposed to sunlight, choose a lighter colour as it absorbs less radiation and heat
- Paints which use inorganic pigments tend to be more resistant to UV radiation
Maintaining the paint is also a big contributing factor to its longevity. Put a maintenance plan in place for annually washing and repainting the colour coat so that you will be able to halt fading and chalking before they occur.
How to Fix Flaking or Cracking Paint
Paint flaking is a damaging phenomenon which occurs when the paint cracks or flakes off of underlying structures. Residential or even commercial property owners can avoid unsightly painting results and expensive fixes by taking these basic paint application tips into consideration before embarking on painting projects.
Affecting property values:
Home and business owners have lots of good reasons to maintain their properties and keep them structurally sound and visually appealing.
- Professionally applied paint helps property owners maintain or raise the value of their holdings.
- Properly applied costs of paint protect underlying wood, masonry, or metal surfaces from contaminants and water, which contributes to the long-term durability of buildings
In stark contrast, those who apply sealants at the wrong times or in the wrong way can expose their properties and their work to ravages of paint failure, including the dreaded cracked and flaked paint.
Preventing the onset of paint cracking and flaking:
- Don’t dilute paint by adding in too much thinner
- Don’t apply overly thin layers of paint to walls and other surfaces
- Improperly prepared surfaces, such as wood or brick might contain moisture which can make it hard for paint to adhere properly. Avoid poor paint adhesion by properly cleaning and thoroughly prepping the walls, wood and brick surfaces before beginning painting
- If the weather conditions are too hot or too cold when the paint is being applied, it could lead to eventual cracking or flaking. It is always best to apply paint when favourable weather conditions prevail
How to Fix Paint Peeling
Peeling paint is one of the most unattractive cosmetic issues a home can have – however, it is a fairly common problem which affects homeowners and maintenance workers alike. Peeling paint has the ability to make your property look shabby, neglected and poorly maintained which can reflect badly on you as the property owner. In order to protect your home for future potential guests, customers or even prospective clients. A silver lining associated with peeling paint is that it can be fixed in a relatively short space of time – with the right know-how.
Building-related moisture issues:
The building’s structure might be the cause of the peeling paint issue. These problems can allow unwanted moisture to get into the wood frame:
- A leaking roof
- Uncaulked joints
- General deterioration of caulking
Additional moisture can cause swelling which then pushes paint off in specific areas. It can also lead to further damage in the shape of wood rot, this can result in costly repairs.
Water-related humidity:
Another common problem is weather-related humidity. If your property is located in a naturally humid region, the excess moisture can cause wall paint to peel and eventually fall off.
Humidity might not directly result in any immediate damage, but it can take a toll on your paint over a period of time. This is why it is so important to prepare for future damages by thinking ahead, choosing the right materials the first time around, and implementing the proper preventive measures.
Painting-related, poor preparation:
Peeling paint can be a result of poor preparation and using the incorrect materials for the job. It makes complete sense that surface preparation is a critical element to getting an even and long-lasting paint job the first time around. Skimping on this can cause the issue of peeling paint and further complications down the line.
You should also consider the type of paint you are using. Oil-based paint for example, should never be applied on a wet or even a damp surface. Doing this will eventually lead to peeling. The weather conditions whilst painting can also have an impact on the quality of the overall finish – this is especially true when dealing with latex-based paints.
In order to fix peeling paint once the damage has already been done, you will likely have to repaint and take on the appropriate preventive measures in order to guarantee a high quality job is carried out. Getting it all done right the first time will save you from having to repaint until you have the desire to change the colour.
