5 Signs of Exterior Paint Damage

Your home’s exterior paint doesn’t just improves the aesthetic appeal of your property, but it also creates a protective barrier against the elements for your home’s structure. Exterior house paint can degrade over time due to regular wear and tear from the elements. Every homeowner should make exterior paint maintenance a priority. Most exterior painters in Santa Rosa will be available for an evaluation and can help you decide if it’s time to repaint your home.

Here are some surefire ways to tell your exterior paint is about to come off and that you should start considering having your exterior repainted.

Signs of Wear

Peeling, cracking and bubbling paint are some signs that the elements have taken their toll. Damaged paint could also mean you may be dealing with hidden mold or dry rot.

Ignoring these signs could prove to be a costly mistake as you might have to repair the paint and exterior structure of your home down the line. Investing in your home’s exterior paint now can save you from future headaches.

Fading Paint Color

Fading paint color can make your exterior look dull, gloomy, and boring. There are several reasons why paint fades. If your paint is fading prematurely, you may have chosen the wrong paint type or didn’t prepare the structure properly before painting it.

Exposure to sunlight can also cause paint color fading. Sunlight affects paint pigments’ ability to maintain color which results in fading. Dark paint colors usually fade quicker than lighter shades as the sun tends to impact them faster.

Gaps Or Shrinking

Do you notice gaps between the boards of your exterior siding or do your boards look as if they are shrinking? These are some common signs of dry rot which means that moisture has infiltrated the wood and is damaging the structure of your home. Have an expert inspect your siding and assess the damage before repainting it to stop this problem at its source.

Cracked Or Damaged Caulking

Caulking loses its elasticity with time and starts cracking. If the caulking on the exterior of your house is damaged or has become brittle, it’s time to repaint your exterior.

Water Damage

Poor paint coverage can increase your wood siding’s vulnerability to water damage. Water damage can lead to rot. When inspecting your siding, look for deep cracks along the wood grain. Soft spots can also indicate rot. Water damage can also lead to other problems such as mold growth.

Black or grey spots on your home’s exterior can indicate mold or mildew growth. If you notice these signs, consult your exterior painter in Santa Rosa.

If you think it may be time to consider repainting your home’s exterior, Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services has got you covered. We use high-quality paint designed to make paint jobs last longer. To make an appointment, call (707) 291-2615.

Everything You Need to Know About House Painting

Want to give your home a makeover? Consider painting it! Unlike many home improvements that add to a home’s appeal but do not add any significant value, painting your home will boost its curb appeal and increase home value.

Before you reach out to a home painter near you for help, prepare for the project. To help you get started, we’ve created a list of some things to know about house painting. Take a look!

Exterior Painting

 

Painting Rotten Siding is a Waste of Time and Money

A rotten or rotting siding will continue to deteriorate regardless of how many coats of paint you apply on it. If your siding has just started to rot, ask your contractor to use a wood hardener to prevent further deterioration prior to painting.

Paint Does Not Stick to Unclean Surfaces

If your wall is dirty, your paint will stick to the dirt, not to the surface. It is important that you thoroughly clean your walls before painting.

Using a towel or vacuum cleaner, dust and clean the walls. To prep your walls before painting, first pressure-wash them to remove dirt and dust build-up. Alternatively, wash them with a cleaning solution of three spoons of laundry detergent to one gallon of water.

Carefully scrape cracked or flaking paint and repair damaged surfaces. Fill cracks with epoxy putty to help smooth out the surface. For minor imperfections, such as plaster bumps, use sandpaper to help level the wall.

Painting in Extreme Weather is a Bad Idea

When you paint your walls in chilly weather, the paint dries slowly and unevenly. If you paint your exterior or interior walls on a scorching summer day, the paint will dry too fast. Absolutely check the weather before painting. If you are working with an experienced painter, check the weather report before scheduling your appointment to make sure the weather will be favorable. Work with your contractor to determine the best time to paint your exterior.

Interior Painting

 

It’s Important to Prime the Walls

If your paint comes with a primer mixed into it, you can jump right into painting your walls. However, if you are using ordinary paint, start by priming your walls to hide existing imperfections. This will allow the topcoat of the paint to adhere to the surface evenly.

Prepping a Room Before Painting is an Effective Way to Reduce the Mess

Before painting a room, move any furniture to another room. If this isn’t possible, move furniture away from the walls and cover using plastic sheets, drop clothes, or old newspapers. Fill any holes in your walls with spackling.

Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services is a top-rated painting contractor in Sonoma County. Whether you have a commercial or residential painting project, we deliver great results. To make an appointment, call (707) 291-2615.

What Is Stain-Resistant Paint and Why Do You Need It?

There are many reasons why paints stain. Sometimes the wall is painted in a low-sheen paint. In many cases, the paint is on a porous surface or applied without a primer. From food items to paintbrushes and cosmetics, there are a wide variety of things that could cause unsightly stains on your walls.

Are you sick and tired of removing ugly stains from your walls? Switch to stain-resistant paint. As a company in Sonoma County who specializes in new construction and subdivision painting, we stand behind stain-resistant paint as a must for many homes.

Stain-resistance is a paint’s ability to withstand discoloration. A paint’s stain resistance also denotes how easy it is to clean.

As the name suggests, stain-resistant paint is designed to resist stains that can become unsightly eyesores. It is typically semi-gloss or glossy finish. Stain-resistant paint is easier to clean than matte or flat paint. Its superior resistance to stain makes it ideal for high-traffic areas such as the kitchen, entryway, bathroom, and hallway.

Drawings look good on paper, but definitely less so on walls. Children love writing, scribbling, and drawing on walls. Sometimes pets may also be the causes of less-than-stellar walls. Cats and dogs may often urinate or scratch at walls, which can discolor them. A stain-resistant paint can resist unsightly stains caused by kids and pets.

When choosing the right paint, consider your project goals. If you are covering up existing stains, use a high-performance primer to hide previous colors and block stains. Use one coat of primer and two coats of paint.

On the other hand, you simply want to add a fresh coat of paint to your walls, use a paint with a built-in primer or one designed to resist stains.

Not only will your walls look pristine, but you will spend less time removing ugly stains and more time appreciating your walls’ flawless beauty. A quick wipe with a clean, soft cloth is all it takes to maintain the natural shine of stain-resistant paint.

On unprimed surfaces and painted drywalls, removing ugly stains can seem like an uphill struggle. Even if you get rid of stains, they will leave ugly marks. To prevent stains, apply a primer. A primer helps the paint adhere to the surface and creates a less porous finish, which prevents stains from penetrating the paint.

Pellgrini’s Platinum Painting Services is a subdivision painting company in Sonoma CountyWhether you live in a 20th-century bungalow or a modern mansion, we will develop a plan to give your property a facelift. To schedule a consultation, call (707) 291-2615. 

 

3 Things You Need To Do Before Painting Your Exterior

One of the first things people notice about your property is its exterior. An aesthetically appealing and well-maintained exterior can make a big difference in your home’s value.

If your home’s exterior looks dull and has become an eyesore, consider painting it. A fresh coat of paint can liven up your outdoor area. Exterior painters in Santa Rosa, CA recommend painting the exterior every five to ten years. How often you need to repaint your exterior will depend on a number of factors including climate and the quality of the previous paint job.

Preparing surfaces for painting is one of the most important steps in the painting process. If you skip this step, your paint will not adhere properly, and will crack and flake even with just a thin layer.

Here are some things to do to prep your exterior before painting.

Cleaning

Your home’s exterior is exposed to the elements. Over time, walls get dusty. Grime and moss settle on them. Painting over unclean surfaces is a waste of time and effort. A clean surface will ensure better adhesion, which will extend the life of the paint job.

Start by removing loose dirt and dust. Scrub the exterior with a sponge and then rinse with clean, warm water. If you notice mold on your walls, use bleach. If you have a high-pressure cleaner, use it to remove debris or caked-on mud.

Sanding & Filling

Sanding and filling a surface is particularly important if it is in bad condition. Even surfaces with minor imperfections need a light sand. Sanding and filling evens out slight imperfections on the wall, helping ensure that your paintbrush can glide on smoothly.

If you do not sand and fill walls before painting, you may end up applying more paint on some spots than others. If a surface is in bad shape and has too many cracks and holes, use a body filler to fill them. You can either use a powder-based filler solution or decorators caulk (for around frames and trim).

Priming

Priming is done to provide a sticky surface to ensure the coat binds on. It also helps hide joints, cover knots, and prevents previous colors from bleeding through.

If you don’t prime your walls before painting them, you will end up with a patchy finish. If you are painting over another color, you will need at least a couple of primer coats. Consider specialty primers for timber, metal, and plaster.

Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services is a reputable exterior painter in Santa Rosa, CA. We use time-tested techniques designed to extend the life of paint jobs and ensure they look great for years. To discuss your project with our team, call (707) 291-2615.

Reasons to Paint Your Home’s Exterior This Spring

The long and cold days of winter have finally come to an end and it is time to welcome spring. Typical spring cleaning may start with yard work and the deep cleaning of houses. However, most homeowners overlook the exteriors of their homes. A fresh coat of paint is all you need to give your house a great makeover. If a great looking home is not reason enough, painting the exteriors of your home brings a wide variety of benefits to you and your home. Listed below are a few advantages you must get familiarized with before calling exterior painters in Santa Rosa, CA.

Avoid Expensive Repairs – One of the biggest advantages of having your house painted soon after winter is that the prepping process will help reveal a lot of damaged spots that you may otherwise not observe. As your painter goes around the home’s exteriors, they will spot repair work that can be addressed right away. Additionally, they will fill up any cracks with fresh caulking which will help insulate your house and keep the elements out where they belong.

Boost Curb Appeal – A coat of fresh paint can change the look of your home drastically. And, what better time to paint your house than spring? This is the perfect time for you to go wild and pick a color combination that will represent your personality and taste. The fresh, vibrant colors you pick and the crisp new coat of paint will change the look of your house instantly. This not only boosts the curb appeal of your house but also increases the value of your home.

Creates a Protective Seal – It is needless to say that the exterior paint protects your house. It is the first line of defense for your house against the elements. A good coat of paint will protect your house from heat, cold, sunlight, dirt, wind, and moisture. Without paint, moisture is bound to seep into the wood and lead to the formation of mold and fungus. This is why it is important to paint your house once every 5 years, if not sooner. A fresh coat of paint forms a waterproof barrier and makes way for water to roll off the house and onto the ground. The painting also fills up small holes and gaps that could otherwise turn into a point for water to stagnate. Paint also makes wood a lot less attractive to pests such as termites, powder post beetles, carpenter bees, and even woodpeckers. Suffice to say that paint acts like the skin of your house – not only does it keep unwanted substances out but also protects the interiors.

Waste no time! Now that it is sunny and bright again, it is time to give your home a splash of paint. If you are looking for reliable interior or exterior painting services in Santa Rosa, Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services is a name you can trust. Call us today at (707) 291-2615 for an obligation-free quote.