Painting to Protect Your Investment

One of the main concepts I discuss with all my clients when I perform an inspection is the need to keep water out of the home. This doesn’t refer to keeping flood waters or wind driven water. I am specifically referring to water from rain, storms, landscape irrigation systems, and humidity. Paint is a very important part of the protection of the home.

Getting Your Paint On!

The structure of a home is framed with non-treated lumber. As such, its ability to resist the effects of moisture and water is limited. Once wood gets wet, the fungus “Wood Decay fungus” will begin to grow. This is the fungus that destroys the wood and in some cases turns it black.

So, the overall goal of the homeowner is keep the water outside the house.

That is the primary purpose of the cladding or exterior of the home. Many types of exterior finishes can be found on homes. The forms they take can be sheet (panel), strips (siding), or individual units (brick) Some of these include:

· Wood

· Stone

· Brick

· Cement fiber board

· Stucco

· Vinyl

· Metal

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Once this siding is installed, it is usually painted to protect the siding and the home. Paint is an inexpensive way to protect the outside, it provides an aesthetic look to the home, and provides an easy way to change the look (color) of the home when desired.

A quality paint job starts with the prep work. If the house has never been painted, that prep work is usually a smaller job. If the home has been painted, there will be more work involved to get it ready.

Going back to the point of keeping water out of the house.... During the prep work, a painter must inspect the entire home to ensure the weather stripping and caulking is intact and sealing openings not covered with siding, flashing, or other protective materials. Caulking is usually the first part of the exterior that will fail due to environmental conditions & sun damage. It is best that a homeowner inspect the home regularly to ensure all openings are sealed completely.

It is always recommended to take a little time and research the material to be painted and the surfaces. Manufactures will have information on how to prep, seal, and prep the material for painting. Wood siding should have all gaps filled with caulk, especially the gaps between 2 pieces as wood rots easily from the ends. Fiber cement siding such as Hardie

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A key part of the painting process is a quality paint. If a cheap paint is chosen, then the paint will not last or not provide the needed protection and repaint will be required in a shorter time frame. Quality materials will go a long way to protecting the home. Choose colors that match or accent other finishes. In some cases, Home Owner Associations (HOA) may require specific colors be used. If the home is in a neighborhood with an HOA, it's best to check with them first.

The final step is to apply the paint to all surfaces. Included in the quality materials is the applicators. Some painters may use spray systems to speed up the job, but there is a significant amount of waste as overspray and misting off the paint will leave the area. Overspray on other surfaces is an unwanted aspect as well. Many painters will use manual methods such as rollers, pressure feed rollers, & paint brushes. Many experienced painters may requires little or no masking. Those are the signs of true professionals. It is good to ask your painting professional for references or other houses they have painted in your neighborhood.

So, the bottom line here is use quality products for your paint and hire an experienced and qualified painter to paint your home. Doing so will provide years of performance and good looks for your home that you can be proud of.

Boxer Inspections is your Professional Home Inspection company - 281-783-3030

Copywrited material. Not for use without written permission. Feb 2019