6 Reasons a Paint Job Doesn’t Last as Long

On average, your house should be painted every 15 years. Of course, location plays a part; in certain regions, expect to add a coat every five to 10. Yet, when it’s only lasting one to three years, something’s wrong.

Multiple instances play a factor:

Temperature

Especially if you’re doing the work on your own, realize that the weather influences how your paint dries. Never paint when it’s too cold and damp; the paint takes extremely long to dry, and in the process, it’s exposed to moisture and debris.

When it’s too hot and humid, however, water-based paints dry too quickly.

What’s ideal? Aim for a temperature of 50°F to 85°F for at least 48 hours without rain. This weather allows the paint to stick to the siding and dry in the right amount of time.

The Surface is Wet

Going hand in hand with weather, a coat of paint should never be added to a wet surface. When you’re dealing with wood, especially, the material won’t be able to hold the paint.

What happens? Water may accumulate under the coats, separating them from the wood’s or vinyl’s surface. Over time, the paint cracks and then flakes or chips off.

Cheap Paint

Invest in quality paint. With cheaper brands, the coverage isn’t as strong, while, in terms of composition, a lower quality of resin is used.

The Area Wasn’t Prepared Correctly

No matter if you or a professional attempt the paint job, one thing’s certain: The surface must be prepared beforehand.

Ideally, it gets scrubbed down and power-washed to remove dirt, dust, debris, and oil. Otherwise, their presence may hinder the paint from fully sticking.

Low-Quality Caulking

Even if you paint in the right conditions, a poor caulking job, especially around the roof, allows water and vapor to seep through. The area, in turn, remains damp.

While you can re-caulk the area if you notice this problem, something bigger might be going on. Examine the area for leaks from the roof or a drainage problem.

Incompatible Paint

When you use two types of paint, make sure they can be used together. Latex and oil, for instance, shouldn’t be. When applied over the oil-based paint, the Latex won’t hold and eventually comes off.

If you’ve been having this issue, have M. Brett conduct a paint failure analysis and later paint the exterior. Contact our Connecticut location to learn more.