Don't Fall Behind On Autumn Painting

SPRING HOUSE, Pa., Sept. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Some home maintenance can be postponed without suffering a penalty, but that isn't the case with exterior painting.  "Failing to caulk and paint in a timely fashion can quickly lead to costly damage," says John Calderaio, spokesperson for the Paint Quality Institute.

The work takes on special urgency as we enter the fall painting season.  In much of the country, it's now or never  -- the last chance to prepare a poorly painted home for the winter weather to come.

So, how can a homeowner take advantage of this brief window of opportunity?  Here are Calderaio's recommendations:

Without delay, do a walk-around inspection of your home exterior.  Keep a sharp eye for areas where the paint may be peeling, flaking, or simply wearing away.  Look for rotting wood.  And pay particular attention to the condition of your caulk, especially where different surfaces meet (wood and brick, for example).

If your current paint job or the condition of your siding is woefully lacking, make haste to call a contractor and hope that he can fit you into his schedule.  (You won't be the only person scrambling for last minute help.)  On the other hand, if most of the siding, paint job, and caulking seems okay, with just a few trouble spots, you may be able to tackle the work yourself.    

Should your inspection reveal only small areas of suspect wood on the siding or trim, investigate further by poking a screwdriver into them to test for weakness or rotting.  If the screwdriver goes in easily, replace the wood as soon as possible; then prime and repaint it. 

If your paint is failing here and there, scrape away the loose material, and sand the surface smooth.  Prime any areas where bare wood shows through.  "For the best protection, apply a coat of top quality 100% acrylic paint, allow it to dry, and apply a second coat for good measure," says Calderaio.

To properly weatherproof your home, it's essential that you shore up areas where your caulk is missing or in any way deteriorated. 

Scrape off any damaged caulk, and clean dirt and mildew from adjacent surfaces, then apply a top quality siliconized acrylic caulk, making sure to "tool" it to create a tight seal.  This will prevent water from penetrating your exterior and wreaking havoc on both your paint job and, possibly, the structure below.

Take on these projects now and you'll rest a lot easier this winter knowing that your home is fully protected against whatever weather may come your way.   

To learn more about exterior painting and weatherproofing your home, visit the Paint Quality Institute online at blog.paintquality.com.

SOURCE Paint Quality Institute