It is easy to think that a house needs painting when it is looking somewhat tired. Dust is building up in the crevices and cracks. The dirt has begun to collect under the trim. Cobwebs are beginning to form.
Before you know it, the entire exterior is looking rather dull and lifeless.
But do you actually need to paint your home? Or is a pressure wash all it needs?
Learning the difference can help you avoid wasting money on an ineffective procedure. Moreover, it can help you protect your home before exterior problems turn into something more serious.
At iPaint Homes, we have been specializing in repainting existing homes. That means that we go beyond simply assessing the condition of the exterior surface.
Assess the Condition of the Existing Paint
The condition of the exterior paint is always the most critical factor in choosing whether your home needs painting or pressure washing.
But before making your decision, assess the exterior.
Forget about the general impression from the street. Take a look at the walls, trim, fascia, doors and other painted surfaces.
Here are some things to watch for:
- peeling paint
- cracked paint
- bubbling or blisters
- faded areas
- chalky residue
- cracked or missing caulk
- bare wood or other exposed surfaces
- spots where the paint is no longer holding together
If the paint appears to be in good condition, and the main problem is only the dirt, cleaning is sufficient.
However, if the paint coating has begun to break down, washing will not help.
Situations Where Pressure Washing Is Sufficient
Dust and dirt build up surprisingly fast on the exterior walls.
There is pollen, dust, cobwebs, bird droppings, and a host of other debris accumulating around your home. They turn a perfectly good coating of paint dull and lifeless.
And in this situation, a cleaning may help restore the appearance of your home.
A pressure wash or a milder alternative may help you eliminate the surface debris when the paint underneath is still in good condition.
Here are the cases where washing makes sense:
- dust or dirt on the surface of otherwise good paint
- cobwebs around eaves and corners
- pollen buildup
- light mildew or organic growth
- surface stains
- general grime from outdoor exposure and weather conditions
The original paint color will appear brighter after a wash.
However, there is a difference between dirt on the paint and damaged paint. While the former problem can be fixed by cleaning, the latter cannot.
Things a Pressure Washer Cannot Repair
A pressure washer removes the dirt from the surface. But it will not rebuild the damaged paint coating.
That is why pressure washing cannot repair the following problems:
- peeling, cracking, severe fading
- exposed surfaces
- failed caulk
Moreover, the protective qualities of the old paint coating cannot be restored by pressure washing.
Sometimes pressure washing can even make the problem worse by removing the paint or damaging the surfaces with the high pressure.
That is why the condition of the house must be assessed before washing.
The Signs Your House Needs to Be Repainted
Aside from improving appearance, the exterior paint provides a protective coating over the surfaces underneath.
And once the coating starts failing, re-painting becomes crucial.
Peeling Paint
Peeling is perhaps the most obvious indication that the paint has lost its bond.
It starts with flaking, but then more pieces can come off.
Of course, washing cannot repair the bond. You will have to prepare the loose surface before applying any new paint.
Fading
The sunlight breaks down the paint coating over time.
But while some fading is inevitable, excessive difference between shaded and sun-exposed areas is usually an indication of old age.
Pressure washing may remove the dirt from the walls. But it won’t restore the color.
Chalking
Move your hand along the exterior wall. The powder sticking to your fingers is a sign of chalking.
The breakdown of the paint coating results in chalking.
In this case, cleaning becomes an important preparation step. But significant chalking may be an indication that the house needs to be repainted.
Cracked or Failed Caulk
Check around windows, doors, and other joints.
The caulk prevents moisture from penetrating the interior. As it ages, it may crack or peel.
When repainting the exterior, the cracked or failed caulk should be taken care of first.
A Pressure Wash Can Help Prepare for Repainting
Does painting automatically mean that a pressure wash is unnecessary?
Not at all! Actually, washing is usually a vital part of the process.
A clean surface ensures better adhesion of paint. And dirt, dust, mildew, chalky residues, and the loose material interfere with it.
That is why a professional exterior paint job involves more steps than simply applying the paint over the old color.
Depending on the condition of the surface, it may involve cleaning, scraping off loose paint, repairing the damaged surfaces, sanding, caulking, priming, masking and protecting surrounding surfaces.
Proper Preparation Improves Performance of the New Coating
While the homeowners usually concentrate on paint colors and products, the preparation has as much effect on the final result as the paint.
Painting over the dirt or other debris leaves a fragile foundation.
And as a result, even high-quality paint may deteriorate faster than usual.
That is why the proper surface preparation can greatly increase chances of proper bonding of the new coating and provide a neat finish.
Don’t Repaint a House Just Because It Looks Dirty
Repainting is a costly procedure. And it would be rather wasteful to repaint a healthy paint coating only because it is dirty.
You may clean a small test area to see if that helps.
If the original color of the paint shows and the paint underneath looks good, cleaning is likely to solve the problem.
But if the surface still looks faded, cracked, chalky or worn after the cleaning, the coating is probably the problem.
Don’t Pressure Wash When the Real Problem Is Failing Paint
Making the opposite mistake can also cost you a considerable amount of money.
You may clean your badly faded or peeling house and end up with a dirt-free surface, but the problem won’t be solved.
The deteriorated paint coating will eventually fail again.
Meanwhile, unprotected wood, trim and other materials will be exposed to the elements.
Taking care of the failing paint as soon as possible will help you to avoid additional preparation and repairs.
Here Are the Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing Pressure Wash or Painting
You are not sure whether the home requires a pressure wash or a painting?
Ask yourself:
- Does the paint look better when the dirt is removed?
- Is the existing paint still firmly attached?
- Do you see peeling, cracking, bubbling or exposed surfaces?
- Has the color badly faded, especially in sunny areas?
- Is the caulk failing around windows, doors or trim?
The cleaning is likely to be sufficient when the paint coating underneath the dirt still looks good.
However, when several of the above signs appear, a professional exterior repaint is probably in order.
When to Hire a Residential Repaint Expert
Sometimes the choice is not clear.
The house may have good paint on one side and heavy fading on the other. The trim may require special attention despite the good condition of the walls. At other times, what seems like dirt may actually be chalking.
And a skilled residential painter will be able to assess the overall condition of the exterior.
Here at iPaint Homes, we have been specializing in repainting existing houses. We know that proper preparation starts with assessing the real condition of the surfaces.
The objective is not only to apply another layer of paint over the old coating. It is to properly prepare the existing home and provide the new finish with the best chances of performing well.
Make the Right Choice for Your Home
Here is the key to distinguishing between pressure washing and repainting:
Is the exterior dirty, or is the paint failing?
If the dirt, pollen, cobwebs or other surface buildup covers the paint coating that is still in good condition, cleaning will be sufficient.
However, when there are peeling, cracking, chalking, heavy fading, exposed surfaces or failed caulk, there is a greater problem.
And in this case, an exterior repaint may greatly improve the appearance of the home and provide a better protection to the surfaces underneath.
If you are not sure what your exterior really requires, let us evaluate the condition of your existing paint at iPaint Homes. Properly prepared repaint job can restore the appearance of the old home.