Fall in Western North Carolina is a great time to take a closer look at the outside of your home. Before colder temperatures, rain, and winter weather get here, your exterior paint can give you some pretty clear clues that it needs attention.
If you’ve been putting off exterior house painting in Asheville NC, now may be the right time to check your siding, trim, and other painted surfaces. Exterior paint does way more than make your home look nice and pretty on the outside. It also creates an important layer of protection between your home and the elements. Our team at DAB Painting put together 6 of the biggest signs that it may be time for a fresh coat of paint before winter arrives.
#1. Your Paint Is Peeling, Cracking, or Flaking
Peeling paint is probably one of the easiest warning signs to spot. You may notice paint curling away from the siding, small cracks along trim, or flakes coming off when you touch the surface. Once paint begins to separate from your home, the material underneath becomes more exposed to moisture. Before winter, check areas around:
- Windows and doors
- Fascia and trim
- Porch railings
- Wood siding
- Shaded or damp areas
- Spots that receive a lot of direct sun
Catching any damaged paint early can help keep it from turning into a larger, more expensive repair later down the road.
#2. The Color Looks Faded or Uneven
Exterior paint naturally takes a beating from sunlight, rain, wind, and changing temperatures. Over time, a color that once looked bold and fresh can start to look faded, chalky, or uneven. You might especially notice fading on the side of your home that receives the most sunlight. Fading doesn’t always indicate that there’s a serious problem underneath the paint, but it can be a sign that the coating is getting older and losing some of the protective qualities that it had in the beginning. A fresh paint job can restore curb appeal while also giving your exterior another layer of protection.
#3. You Notice Bare Wood or Exposed Areas
If you can see bare wood, exposed siding, or places where the paint has completely worn away, it’s time to do something about it. Once those surfaces become exposed, moisture has a better chance of getting into the material. Our experienced Asheville exterior painters can evaluate those areas and figure out what prep work is needed before any new paint is applied. Depending on the condition of the surface, preparation may include:
- Power washing or soft washing
- Scraping loose paint
- Sanding rough areas
- Priming
- Caulking gaps and cracks
At DAB Painting, we strongly emphasize that preparation is an important part of the process because paint tends to look better and last longer when it’s applied to a clean, properly prepared surface.
#4. You’re Seeing Mildew or Heavy Buildup
Western North Carolina’s moisture and humidity can leave exterior surfaces looking ehhh. With mildew, dirt, pollen, and bugs collecting on siding and trim over time, it can start to look pretty rough. Sometimes the solution is just giving your home a bath- but other times, washing the surface can reveal older paint that’s beginning to fail underneath. Professional power washing or soft washing can help clean the surface and prepare it for painting when needed. Learn more about our power washing services here.
#5. Caulk Is Cracking Around Windows or Doors
Take a look at the areas where different exterior materials meet. If the caulk around windows, doors, trim, or joints is pulling apart or cracking, moisture may have an easier path into areas where you don’t want it. Replacing old caulk is part of proper exterior paint preparation. It’s important to take care of these little gaps before winter to help give your home’s exterior a cleaner, more finished appearance.
#6. Your Exterior Just Looks Worn Out
Your home doesn’t have to be fully peeling and cracking to need a new paint job. Sometimes you simply walk up to your house and realize it looks bad. Visual changes can be some of the first signs house needs painting, especially if it’s been several years since your last exterior paint job. A new coat of paint can make a surprisingly big difference without changing anything else about the home. It’s one of the simplest ways to give your exterior a full refresh!
Why Paint Before Winter?
Taking care of exterior paint before winter gives your home a fresh protective coating going into a season filled with moisture and changing weather. Professional exterior painting can also help protect against:
- Rain and moisture
- Strong winds
- Sun fading
- Everyday weather exposure
- Normal wear on siding and trim
Of course, timing matters. Exterior paint needs the right weather conditions to properly dry and cure, which is one reason that it’s smart to take care of any potential problems before temperatures become consistently cold.
Exterior House Painting Asheville NC
If your exterior paint is peeling, fading, cracking, or simply looking worn, fall is a good time to hire a professional painter. At DAB Painting, we work with a wide range of exterior surfaces, including:
- Wood
- Stucco
- Brick
- Vinyl siding
- Aluminum siding
- Cedar shingles
- Railings
- Decks
- Fences
- + more!
Taking care of your home’s exterior now can help it look great through winter and give you one less home maintenance project to worry about when spring comes back around. Get in touch with us today and tell us about your project.
