These are all signs that it could be time to paint and avoid future costly wood and siding repairs.

Chipping and Peeling

There are two signs you need to spruce up your exterior paint; obvious mass coating failures, or small amounts of chipping and peeling, about the size of a dime, which expose the wood underneath. These are both signs your top coat of paint isn’t protecting the wood from rain, wind and sun. Paint protects your wood the same way that skin protects the body.

There are several other ways to tell if your home needs to be painted and renewed; the color is fading and is noticeably lighter, there are water streak lines, the white colors are turning grey, and/or deep colors are losing their base and depth. Also, if you find chalking on the surface of the paint, it may mean you need to get your home power washed and painted.

To test for chalking, touch the paint surface with your finger; if it leaves a chalky paint residue on your hands this is a sign the paint is breaking down.  It is time to repaint; new paint will never leave any film on your hand.

Mildew

Contrary to popular belief, mildew does grow in cold weather. It lays dormant throughout the winter and springs to life with the moisture and warmth of the spring season. Mildew will look like little spores and/or dark spots on the paint. Mildew is a sign that your slick, glossy paint surface needs refreshed; it allows spores to grow in the nooks and crannies of the paint surface.

Often, honest and established painters will let you know if a simple and cost efficient power washing is enough maintenance for that year. Mildew can sometimes be easily removed with a professional pressure wash, although sometimes it will require a new coat of paint to keep your home protected.

Caulking

Caulking failure can be extremely dangerous for your home. The caulk can pop-out or split open leaving you with these potential problems:

1.       Lose of energy efficiency from the inside of your home to the outside.

2.       Weather, like rain and wind can enter your home where caulk has failed.

3.       Insects and critters can enter where caulking failure occurred.

4.       Moisture can get behind the wood and paint, which leads to peeling of paint, rotting of wood and mildew growth on the surface and inside the home.

Caulking is also important cosmetically; if it is done properly, it will look seamless with your paint color.  It will make the exterior of your home tight and secure. The look will be more complete and your home will instantly benefit from a solid and thorough caulking application.

Other Problem Areas

During the winter months, snow and ice settle into your home’s gutters; this means moisture often gets behind the fascia and paint. A few ways to tell if your gutters need a new paint job are: water stains, peeling and blistering of the paint, and bowing of the wood. If you notice these warning signs, it is best to have someone come out and fix problem areas quickly.

The snow, ice and cold weather can also be a detriment to the stain on decks, fences and trellises. Seeing exposed wood means its time to protect the wood for spring; you may see heavy wood graining or see fibers in the wood, but they both require the same maintenance.  Bottom line, if water does not bead up on your deck surfaces, that water and sun UV rays are probably penetrating and harming the surface below.

Final Recommendations

The tips outlined above are a good guideline to use when determining what type of work your home may need after a harsh winter.

-A new paint job with fresh colors that protects for years to come.

-A cleaning and staining of a deck to get it ready for months of grilling outside with friends.

-Or simply getting your home power washed to eliminate mildew, each improvement you make will help your home stay beautiful… longer.

A good painting contractor will provide an honest and detailed quote for what painting and preparation your home may or may not need.  Quotes should be free and you should always meet your contractor to walk around your home, this ensures that you and the contractor can point out and explain issues and solutions for your spring painting project.

A fresh coat of house paint in the Fall may also be your last chance to protect your home from moisture and impending wood rot that often festers during winter months. Failing to take the necessary steps to protect your home can be very costly. If a home goes unpainted through the Winter, you could end up with extensive wood damage that may cost thousands to repair or replace. Where wood rots, moisture creeps inside your home and can cause even more interior damage.  The easiest way to prevent this is with a fresh coat of paint before Winter weather sets in. A good paint job can usually protect most surfaces of your home for 10 years.  On some surfaces, quality paint will last even longer.

Repairing any current wood rot, caulking any holes or gaps, and painting done prior to Winter will also help save on heating bills throughout the winter months. By protecting and sealing these surfaces, it helps to insulate the interior and prevents excess heat from escaping your home.

Another advantage to painting your home this time of year is less foliage that could get in the way of painting all the surfaces.  Think of the largest tree or bush around your home; are the leaves and branches near the siding of the house?  In the Fall, these leaves are bare and because it is easier to paint, this labor saving move reduces the cost of your painting quote.

Be sure to ask about our gutter cleaning option.  For a minimal fee, we can clean your gutters of any leaves or debris to help prevent clogging of the gutters and downspouts.  When painting, we are already on site with our ladders, why not have us clean out your gutters for you?  It is safer and more economical then you climbing around your home and roof areas yourself.  (Average home only costs around $75)

Contact Sharper Impressions Painting today to discuss protecting your home from wood rot and the types of paint we can use to paint your house into the Fall. We can schedule a free and quick painting quote for you this Fall season!

Sharper Impressions was contracted to paint the interior of Debbie B.’s home many years ago.  She was happy with the work and our service.  Years later, she decided to paint the exterior as well. She chose to hire an individual painter who would perform the work slightly cheaper than the other bids she had received from local, established painting firms.

She paid an $1100 deposit, and then the contractor completely disappeared.  His cell phone number was disconnected, his email address wasn’t valid and there was no way of contacting him.   She was out a lot of money with no other options, and an unpainted home.

Unfortunately, Debbie B learned the hard way; for that exact reason homeowners should only hire a professional painting company. No painting customer should have to pay a deposit, ever. Good painting companies offer a guarantee with their work. Established paint contractors also offer extended warranties and continued support for years after the project is complete. Knowing the company has been around for awhile, in Sharper’s case 20 years, allows the customer to have peace of mind that their painting contractor is not going to disappear.

Whether your project goes good or bad, Sharper Impressions Painting will be available to fix any issues or continue to help you finish a your new paint project.

Too many homeowners fall victim to a fly by night painter. You should never have to take a risk like paying a deposit.  The benefits of going with a professional company far outweigh the risks of hiring someone not established.

For more information and a complete list of painting services; visit www.SharperImpressionsPainting.com or call 877.665.5566.

Cracking and peeling starts small and spreads. Your exterior paint may have superficial cracks across the surface. Take a close look at the edges and the corners where two exterior walls meet. If paint is starting to chip and peel back from the edges, it’s time for a new paint job. Sharper Impressions will put two fresh coats of long-lasting paint on your home. You choose the color. We do the work.

Contact  Sharper Impressions Painting today to set up an appointment.

When we come out to give you an estimate for the work, we make an appointment and we keep it. We know that your time is valuable and we do not keep you waiting for hours like some contractors do. Our Sharper Impressions Painting professionals pay careful attention to what you want painted and any special circumstances that may exist with your home’s layout, color scheme and existing surfaces. If you have any questions, we are happy to answer them.

We take the time to come out to your home the day before the job begins and walk through the property with you. As part of our superior customer service, our Sharper Impressions Painting manager verifies the work areas and the scope of the job so that there are no disappointments or  misunderstandings.

It is our goal to deliver what we promise from start to finish. Before your Sharper Impressions Painting contractor leaves the premises, you can inspect the work to make sure it meets or exceeds your expectations. Within a few days of the job completion, someone from Sharper Impressions will come by to ensure your satisfaction. This is all done at no extra charge as part of your Sharper Impressions experience.

Four-Legged Friends

There are a few things to consider for hamsters, guinea pigs, cats, dogs and other furry friends when Sharper Impressions is working in your home. Give them a vacation. Take them to a friend’s house or their favorite kennel for a day or two three. Since animals’ noses are much more sensitive than human noses, the paint fumes may bother them. Their bodies are smaller and they may feel the stronger effects from the fresh paint as it dries. We do use low-VOC paints, but that is not enough for our small furry friends.

Fish and Reptiles

Pets in tanks, such as fish and reptiles, should be moved to another portion of the house in a well-ventilated area and have the tank covered with breathable fabric for extra precaution. When Sharper Impressions is  painting the entire house, consider giving your pets in tanks a vacation, too.

If you are unsure, ask your local veterinary professional for advice on your particular pet.

Sharper Impressions painters create a professional look by taping off edges and borders. This creates crisp, clean lines. We use drop cloths or tarps to prevent splatters and drips on the surface below.

Not only are you given the opportunity to walk through the completed work areas with your painter, we will make sure you are happy with it.

Upon completion of your job we will clean up after ourselves so that the only way you will know Sharper Impressions Painting has been there is the fresh clean look and beautifully painted interior or exterior surfaces.

When preparing your home interior for Sharper Impressions Painting, there are a few things that you can do before we arrive to make things go more smoothly for us so that we can do a better job for you.

Remove any books, papers, wall hangings and furniture from the room or rooms to be painted. If possible, furniture that cannot be removed from the room should be moved to its center before Sharper Impressions painters arrive.

Make plans for children to be in another part of the house under a parent’s watchful eye, at school or at daycare while Sharper Impressions Painting contractors are in the house. Although we do like kids, children tend to be curious and want to explore wet paint and visit with house guests busy at work. While we’re prepping and painting, it is best for them to be in a place where our Sharper Impressions painters are not.

Sharper Impressions looks forward to making your home interior painting project a positive experience and something you will be satisfied with for years to come.

Sharper Impressions just needs a picture of the area to be painted and the color swatch(s) you are interested in previewing. Within a week we will send you before and after pictures showing the color change you requested. It’s a great way to see the colors on your house before we actually begin painting.

Changing the colors on the entire exterior can get complicated; trying to decide between Navy Blue or Black shutters can be a lot simpler by utilizing our new service. Trying to decide between a modern beige or a tried and true grey on your siding?  See both colors on your actual home in pictures before we even get a brush wet.

Thinking of having some interior painting done? We can make sure your new living room furniture still looks great, even after a color change, by putting together a digital before and after of the walls and trim in your favorite room.

Sharper Impressions Painting offers this valuable service at no cost because we understand the importance of being comfortable with the color choices for your home. We want to help make sure that the colors you chose are perfect. With free digitally painting from Sharper you are sure to be happy with your new color…that is important to us because it is going to last a long time!  Call or email today to get a free, quick painting quote.

For more information and a complete list of painting services; visit www.SharperImpressionsPainting.com or call 877.665.5566.

Whether it’s an exterior painting project or interior, Sharper Impressions Painting can help quickly transform the space into an updated, maintained area. In a matter of days, Dad’s to do list can be cut in half, without him ever having to use a power washer, caulking gun or paint brush. That kind of peace of mind is a well-appreciated Father’s Day gift for the man who always does so much.

Sharper Impressions Painting is currently offering 25% to anyone who wants to give the gift of time this Father’s Day. Forget the tie or golf accessories, get Dad something he is going to appreciate and enjoy for years to come; a beautifully painted home and more time with his family!

For more information and a complete list of painting services; visit www.SharperImpressionsPainting.com or call 877.665.5566.

Happy Father's Day from Sharper