A recent study showed that 34% of Americans take on a home renovation project to impress family members, friends, or neighbors. These efforts have cost them $3,558.
Painting your home may seem like a job that’s only done to impress those who walk by or enter. It’s one of the first things they notice and part of how they’ll judge your home.
The truth is that paint has a much more important purpose than making your home look impressive. It’s a protective cover on your home that needs to be maintained.
Hiring a professional house painter is a proactive form of home maintenance. Ignoring the signs that your home needs a new coat is a sure way to let in damage. Trying to complete the job yourself leads to mistakes, and it won’t look and function the way it should.
Read on for six signs you should hire a professional to paint your house.
1. Fading or Discoloration
Paint fades and begins to discolor with time. It also feels the effects of exposure to UV rays from sunlight, just like car interiors or outdoor furniture.
This fading is a natural result of aging but makes your home look like it’s past its prime. A professional painter can help it look like new.
This isn’t the only reason you should get them on board. Fading or discolored paint can also be a sign of serious issues. Pay extra attention if it shows up on the shady side of your home.
This is a warning sign that there may be water intrusion below the vapor barrier. Call a professional to fix the damage and then a professional house painter to restore the paint.
2. Cracking or Peeling Paint
Areas with warm, humid summers and harsh, cold winters can do a number on a home’s paint. They can cause it to crack, flake, and bubble.
This problem can show up inside or outside. It’s another potential indication of deeper structural issues in your home. It shows that the paint is losing its adhesive properties and leaving your home exposed to the elements.
Before you repaint, check for any existing signs of damage. These include:
- Structural cracks
- Wet rot
- Dry rot
- Mold
3. Caulk Damage
A professional house painter may redo your caulk during the project. This expands its lifespan but doesn’t make it last forever.
Caulk expands and contracts as temperatures change. This can make it lose elasticity. It may become smaller, discolored, hard to the touch, or fall apart.
Replace the caulk immediately. It’s necessary to protect your home from the elements.
The material doesn’t have to be ugly. Get paintable caulk for your exterior house painting project. This lets you match it to the style and color palette of the rest of your home.
4. Water Damage
Water damage affects 14,000 Americans every day. 1 in 60 insured homeowners make a claim for water or freezing damage each year. These make up 1.6% of all claims and are second only to wind and hail damage.
Water can reach any part of your home, including:
- Appliances
- Floors
- Carpets
- Walls
It may seem like this water damage has nothing to do with paint, but that’s not true. Paint is your home’s barricade against moisture. Water intrusion causes mold and mildew, warped and decayed wood, and more. It damages your home and requires expensive repairs.
The two are so intertwined that they often give off the same signs. Noticing them and getting new paint as soon as possible can help to mitigate the damage.
One of the first signs is a gap between your doors and window frames. Moisture seeps in and causes it You’ll need a professional to diagnose serious structural problems like this before you repaint to prevent it from recurring.
You may also notice mold or water stains. Painting over them hides the ugly spots and protects against future excess moisture.
5. You Want a New Color Palette
The average American spends eight years in one home. 47% have lived in their current home for six to ten years, and 35% have stayed for 10-15 years.
Hiring a professional painting company prevents damage, but that’s not the only reason to hire them. You may grow bored with your home’s color palate after all that time.
Deciding on the right colors is the most difficult part. You may want to stick with the latest trends in interior house painting. Depending on the room you’re working in, try:
- Celestial Blue
- Muted Orange
- Green Sage
Professional painters are also one of the best sources of advice if you can’t decide. They’ll know the best colors and brands of paint to fit your home’s design and your personal preferences.
6. You’re About to Sell
A new paint job can increase a home’s value by up to 25%. Interior painting in shades of blue sends this value up even higher.
Exterior colors matter as well. You’ll need better curb appeal to attract buyers who walk by or see your house online.
That’s why a painting contractor can be your best friend if you’re about to sell your home. They can make it look better, help the interior walls last longer, and even make it more energy efficient.
They have the experience to do the job right the first time. They know what types of homes are selling now, and that will help you get a paint job with the highest possible return on investment. They also have helpful tools that you wouldn’t have if you had tried to do the job yourself.
Find a Professional House Painter
The need for a new paint job may seem like it doesn’t go beyond aesthetics. It feels like it’s only for times when you want to sell or are bored with your current color palette.
The truth is that new paint is a proactive way to prevent structural damage to your home. Look for fading, cracks, peeling, caulk, or water damage. A professional can identify these issues before they become serious and hide the ugly scars they leave behind.
Contact us to find an experienced, reliable professional house painter today.
