When exterior paint begins to lose its luster, most of us think primarily of this as an aesthetic issue. The problem with this is that fixing a merely aesthetic problem is optional, a low-importance item. We think it is something that can be saved for “when I get around to it.” The truth, however, is that exterior paint is a vital layer of protection for your home, and neglecting to maintain it can lead to disastrous results!
Why Is It So Important to Maintain Exterior Paint?
The forces of nature here in New Jersey include humidity and rainstorms, baking sunlight, hail, snow, ice, and insects. Each one of these forces seeks to degrade the wood on your home exterior. Given the chance, moisture will soak into the wood, leading to rot, mold, and mildew. Sunlight will cause wood to dry out, splitting and twisting in the process. Ice finds its way into small cracks and openings, expanding to widen those spaces. And of course, insects from termites to carpenter bees to beetles love to make a home in unprotected wood.
While exterior house painting might not appear to be a powerful shield against these factors, it is truly an effective barrier against them all. When the paint is properly maintained, the surfaces are well protected, and your exterior siding and trim will be safe and sound for years to come!
Of course, the extra benefit of keeping your exterior paint in great shape is that your house continues to look fresh and beautiful, season after season!
Caulk: a Different Kind of Border Protection
Wherever your siding comes against a door frame or window trim, the border between them is a potential leak point. Additional vulnerabilities occur at vents, outlets, utility entry points, and anywhere else that the siding is interrupted. How do you keep water and insects out of these crevices? Caulk! This gap-filling compound makes the house appear more finished and tidy, but more importantly, it gives vital protection against moisture and bugs.
How Often Do I Need to Maintain Caulk and Exterior Paint?
Exterior paint generally lasts at least 5 years, but it is a good idea to inspect it every year or two. If you catch problem areas early and treat just those spots, you can extend the time needed between full exterior repainting jobs.
Caulk should be inspected each year, since temperature changes and shifts in the building materials can cause it to pull apart. Additionally, caulk will eventually become brittle and crack. Because caulk is cheap, yet it has a major impact on your home’s health, it is definitely worth refreshing it without delay.
New Jersey Exterior Painting Company
In order to keep your home looking great and resilient against all weather, you need a quality exterior house painting company. We encourage you to give Cherry Hill Painting a try. Since 1968, we have been serving New Jersey and the Philadelphia region with exceptional house painting services. We emphasize quality materials, superb craftsmanship, and an excellent experience for our customers.
When you work with Cherry Hill Painting, you can be confident your home is in good hands!
In addition to exterior painting, we also offer interior painting, kitchen cabinet refinishing, wallpaper removal, and more. Contact us for a free house painting estimate – there is nothing to lose!