Exterior Painting Can Save You Money!

Save Thousands of Dollars on Your Home

Most of us are no strangers to the costly repairs that directly come with 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. 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.

When to paint your house you are probably asking, what should I look for when giving my house its yearly “check-up”? There are a variety of symptoms your paint or wood can have, letting you know it needs new paint. Jim Tyler at Philadelphia House Painters of Philadelphia, PA. has helped me with putting together a short checklist of problems to look for.

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 contractors can easily be found in your area that 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. Philadlephia House Painters isdedicated to providing homeowners with quality paint contracting in the Phila. PA. 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!

Removing Mold and Mildew Stains

Mold and mildew spores are everywhere and there is nothing you can do about it.

You can, however, prevent them from growing to a point where they become visible and create a potential health hazard for you and your family.

Mold and mildew spores thrive in darker, warm, humid environments and prefer porous substances like flat paints, wood and textiles.

If left unchecked for too long, they become very difficult to control and can even permanently damage and discolor many surfaces.

Many people complain about unsightly mold and mildew stains on walls and ceilings in their bathrooms, bedrooms, closets and kitchens. But, no matter how embarrassing this problem may seem, you must realize that simply repainting or cleaning mold and mildew stains off surfaces is not the solution. Without finding and addressing the cause, your problem will quickly and surely reappear.

Improving ventilation and natural light, using dehumidifiers to control moisture levels, properly caulking your house to prevent rain from getting into the walls - these steps are a must.

Then, once you've eliminated the source of the problem, removing mildew stains is easy:

Spray the affected area with a mixture of 1 part bleach / 3 parts water and let it sit on the surface for 10-15 minutes
Rinse the surface with water and let it dry
Apply 1 coat of anti-mildew primer and let it dry
Apply 1-2 coats of washable paint - its smooth, non-porous surface is hard for spores to attach to. Plus, this paint can be easily washed to remove dust, dirt and soil that accumulate on the surfaces and are common mildew foods.

Finally, even though most quality paints are mildew resistant, you may want to buy and mix 1-2 packets of mildewcide additive directly into the paint, to use in the most persistent mildew prone areas - for an extra protection and peace of mind.

Exterior process:

We start by covering and protecting all surfaces and areas not-to-be-painted (concrete, roof, plants, shrubs, etc.) and mask all windows if spraying is necessary.

We then proceed to do the following:
Remove old loose/peeling paint by hand scraping and using power grinders, sanders and paint shavers.
Pressure wash surfaces to clean them from old paint debris, dust and mildew.
Check for rotten wood and replace it.
Prime bare surfaces for protection and to give paint something to bond to.
Set popped nails and fill holes.
Reglaze windows if required.
Caulk cracks and gaps around window and door trim for protection and insulation.

Apply paint using the method and number of coats specified in the contract

Need a quote for removing mold and mildew stains
or saving on utility bills in your Philadlephia home?

Contact us by clicking here!