Is your paint job all it’s cracked up to be?

Location matters when you're buying a home; you look at the neighborhood, the proximity to good schools and to work, and whether or not it's close to the things you enjoy doing. Don't underestimate the importance of curb appeal. Whether you're in the market to sell your house or not, the most effective action for curb appeal is to paint your home’s exterior.  Everything that goes along with painting the outside of your home equates to ending up with the very best look you can put out there. The condition of your yard as well as the condition of the exterior of your home are your home's first impression to anyone who happens by it; and while you may be all buttoned up when it comes to the state of affairs of your front yard foliage, maintaining the exterior paint on your home may be a different story.  

Maintaining Your Home’s Exterior Paint Job

While California isn’t known for its harsh weather of sleeting rain and mighty winds, your home’s exterior paint job can take a hard hitting. Through wear and tear, and the beating sun, your house’s paint regularly needs TLC.  Exterior paint gets stressed by various weather conditions. Whether you hired professionals or did the work yourself, painting the exterior is a big investment both in time and money. It’s not something you want to repeat in the near future, which is why it’s important to maintain your new paint job! To do just that, read on:

Frequently paint - Paint isn’t meant to last forever. When it comes to your exterior, the frequency of your paint job depends on a variety of things. In California, your home is exposed to the elements! You can expect to need to repaint with regularity as shown on the list below:

1. Wood siding - every 3-7 years, or every 4 years if it's stained.
2. Aluminum siding - usually about 5 years.
3. Stucco - typically lasts 5-6 years.
4. New types of materials - these usually need to be touched up less often; for example, cement fiberboard siding can go 10-15 years before repainting.

Cleaning and pressure washing - There are many things that impact the condition of your paint job. Don’t ignore your home until your next paint cycle; watch the condition of your home throughout the year. With a simple garden hose, you can spray off shutters and under the eaves after a dusty summer. Mud, debris, and salts in the air can eat at the paint, making your home look dull and weathered. By cleaning and pressure washing you can keep your home's paint looking newer.

Eliminate mold and mildew - When water sits for an extended period of time, your homes exterior can be impacted quickly if not painted properly. Whether or not you're allergic to molds, mold exposure can irritate your eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs. While the weather is warm and dry, check siding for any damage and repair right away!

Taking care of your home's exterior is a wise investment! Consider all of the above tips when you are ready to make the next step in home beautification!