Painting Services And Maintenance: What You Need To Know
Professional painting services can completely transform your home's exterior. After choosing the just-right hue and getting the outdoor aesthetics that you've been dreaming of for years, it's absolutely essential that you properly maintain your new paint. What do you need to know about maintaining your home's exterior color and shine? Take a look at how you can extend the life of the paint and boost your home's curb appeal.
Spot Clean
Don't assume dirt will always coat your home completely or evenly. A bird flying overhead can leave droppings on your home's exterior that require prompt cleaning. Likewise, other small spots of debris or dirt can leave marks on one specific area of the siding.
Spot clean these areas with a damp washcloth and mild detergent soap. Always rinse the area completely. If you're cleaning bird or animal dropping debris, wear latex or vinyl gloves to reduce the risk of coming into contact with potentially dangerous germs.
Wipe Away Grime
It's tempting to go at the dirt and grime on your home with a pressure washer. But this may not be the right way to go. While a pressure washer works wonders on your concrete patio or your driveway, it can damage your home's new paint — potentially causing it to peel.
Along with ruining your new exterior paint, the pressure from the water (especially if used incorrectly) can strip or loosen caulking around entry points such as windows and doors. A gentle spray from your garden hose is a safer choice for washing your painted exterior walls.
Remove Mildew
Fungal growth on your home can look like dark dirt. But unlike dirt, mold, and mildew won't always simply wipe away. You may need to scrub the mildew with a soft brush and a bleach solution. Always spot test your bleach-water mix on an inconspicuous area first. This helps to reduce the risk of accidentally staining your home's paint.
Inspect Often
What may seem like a single crack or a small area of peeling can quickly cause problems for your home — especially if you have wood siding. Left unprotected, the wood can rot or warp. Inspecting the exterior often won't just protect the paint itself, it can help you to maintain the integrity and outdoor barrier of your whole home.
If you do notice cracks, chips, peeling, or bubbling, call a paint professional for help. Unless you have expertise and experience repairing paint problems, never attempt to remove the damaged spots yourself.
Maintaining your home's new exterior isn't just a good idea following a professional painting service, it's necessary. Spot cleaning, clearing the dirt, and removing the mildew can all keep your home's new hue looking like new.
