A fresh coat of paint can breathe a breath of fresh air into the appearance of your homes exterior while also increasing the curb appeal of your property but only if you take the time to prep the surface and do it right. According to the knowledgeable experts at Jeff the Painter, exterior painting problems can occur for a number of reasons including inexperience, bad prep work, DIY painter error, and a variety of weather-related issues. Some of the most common exterior paint problems include the following.
Blistering Paint
Small to medium sized blisters or bubbles under the paint are typically caused by painting in direct sunlight when the intended surface is hot. Blistering can also occur when painting over wet wood, the wood traps moisture causing the paint to bubble as the wood begins to expand. Low quality latex paint, excessive rain, and high humidity can all cause blistering paint
Peeling Paint
Peeling paint is one of the most common exterior paint problems, and it is often caused by moisture on the surface or by the paint failing to adhere properly to its intended surface. In some cases, the previous layer of paint can be seen curling beneath the newest layers giving it the appearance of shedding. Other potential causes include: applying oil based paint over a moist surface, painting over a surface that has not been properly cleaned or using poor quality paint.
Alligatoring & Checking
Alligatoring is the term used to describe a cracking pattern in the paint that looks very similar to the skin of a reptile. Some of the most common causes of alligatoring include applying the second coat of paint before the first coat of paint has completed dried or the second coat of paint was painted over a surface that was not properly prepped. Checking on the other hand can be described as long shallow cracks in the paint which are most often caused by natural aging of oil-based paints.
Sagging or Running Paint
This is one of the most easily identifiable paint failures due to the appearance of drips within the surface of the paint. Some of the most common causes of sagging include a layer of paint that was applied too heavily, thin paint, paint that was applied during cold or moist weather or the surface was not properly prepared before the paint was applied.
Mildew on Painted Surfaces
Mold and mildew is a gray, green, brown, or black fungus that often grows in patches particularly in areas of the home that are exposed to constant moisture, areas that are poorly ventilated and those areas of the exterior that lack sunlight especially direct sunlight. Some of the most common causes of mildew include using low quality paint, painting over a surface already exposed to mildew that was not properly prepared, and painting over bare wood without the use of a primer.
Rust Discoloration on Paint Finish
If you have reddish-brown to black stains on the surface of the paint it is probably due to rust discoloration. Some of the most common causes include steel nails that have become loose from the surface, steel nails that have come into contact with the air, and excessive weathering which has worn away the protective coating on the nail heads.
Interior & Exterior House Painting & More in San Marcos, Temecula, Vista, Oceanside, Encinitas, Carlsbad & Escondido, California
To learn more about residential exterior painting and to schedule your exterior paint color consultation and inspection, contact the knowledgeable experts at Jeff the Painter today.
