Don’t bother shelling out thousands of dollars to paint your house if you don’t have a plan to maintain it.
It costs an average of $2,843 to paint a house, according to Home Advisor.
Keep in mind that prices vary based on several variables: total project size, house materials, type of paint used and who you contract with.
Sometimes the price can be as high as $6,200. If you’re spending that kind of money, you’ll want to ensure it lasts as long as possible!
Here are a few tips on keeping your house paint looking clean and fresh
Don’t Let Mold Grow
Mold grows in all climates. Although some places may be more susceptible than others, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for this pesky fungus.
Mold grows when materials in the air, such as dust or pollen, stick on the wet siding. Usually, it’s dried by the sun or blown into the wind, but when this doesn’t happen you have mold.
And it doesn’t matter if your siding is brick, wood, vinyl or cement, mold will stick to it.
To make sure mold doesn’t grow on your home, hose down your exterior once every few months. Do it more frequently in spots where your walls are facing dark and wet locations.
Power Wash Your Exterior Walls
Before we begin discussing this topic, be aware there is a huge difference between pressure washing and hosing your walls.
Hosing your walls every few months can be useful to stop mold but pressure washing is more intense.
Home improvement experts recommend pressure washing your exterior walls every few years to clean dirt, grime or mildew. However, this is true only if they visibly need it.
Pressure washers expel water between 1,000-2,000 pounds per square inch and can damage your siding. Certain kinds of stucco are easily damaged by pressure washing.
The best advice we can give is to speak with a professional before pressure washing your home.
Select Quality House Paint
When a house desperately needs a paint job, some homeowners decide to do it themselves.
This is fine if they have the knowledge and experience to do it right. One of the biggest decisions they’ll make is what paint to buy. Cheap paint will degrade faster and start to get chalky or chip all over your landscaping.
Invest in quality paint that works with your type of siding.
If you aren’t sure where to begin, another option is to contact a commercial painting contractor.
Professionals can work with you on selecting the best paint and do the entire job for you. This may cost extra but you’ll have peace of mind that it was done right.
Maintaining Your Home’s Exterior
Keeping on top of your home’s exterior is the best way to ensure your house paint looks like new.
To sum up what needs to be done regularly, you should:
- Regularly wash the outside of your home
- Touch up places on your exterior walls that need it
- Clean your gutters
- Stay on top of your landscaping
- Caulk windows, doors or vents to avoid water intrusion
If the time has come for your home to be painted, reach out to a professional for help. They will know what high-quality paint to use based on your type of siding, how to prepare the wall for the job, and how to apply any of the finishing touches to help you maintain that clean look.
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