For the homeowner or commercial building shareholder, maintenance is a big-ticket item – and it sometimes never seems to stop. Ask anyone who rents out a property and they will tell you that at least one month’s rent per annum needs to be set aside for dealing with those unforeseen problems. That isn’t taking into consideration the expected repairs that are needed. Painting a home or building is one of those inevitable tasks that need to be on the maintenance list every few years, and it puts dread in many hearts because of the hassle and price.
Some people attempt to paint their own homes in order to save money. While they may think they’re saving in the short-term, it could cost them dearly in the long run. Painting looks simple – it’s just making broad strokes with a brush – but it’s much more complicated than that, and should ideally be left to professionals.
Preparing to paint a building:
The word that immediately comes to mind is ‘preparation’. Experts will tell you that up to 80% of the success of painting will come from careful prep work. Firstly, there is the problem with moisture – the nemesis of paint. Any water that enters a home or building (through a leaky roof or basement) usually leaves in the form of vapor. This vapor then lifts the exterior paint causing blistering. When exposed to the elements these blisters quickly become peeling paint.
If your home has wooden siding, it’s essential to make sure that there is no insect infestation before painting and that there is no rust present from metal fasteners. Any areas of rust that aren’t treated will eventually stain the paint, spoiling the appearance of the building. Surfaces must be completely clean before paint is applied, otherwise it simply won’t stick.
Once the surfaces are clean (and this includes sanding and rinsing) it’s also important to make certain that the paint is applied at the correct thickness. Professionals have a thickness-gauge, but these are expensive and the average layman wouldn’t have one in their shed. It’s also important to guard against painting in direct sunlight; a windy day is also not recommended because floating objects may adhere to the paint.
How to minimize the problem
At this point, you will be wondering how to make paint as long-lasting as possible, to try to delay the inevitable process again. Fortunately, there are many products on the market that will be the answer. These look like paint but actually last like vinyl. Having a long-lasting paint applied will ensure that the endless chipping and cracking won’t happen, and some are guaranteed for up to 25 years. Imagine not having to endure painting again for a quarter of a century! It’s possible, if you use the right product.
Long lasting paint will ensure that your home will look beautiful for years. Call Rhino Shield today for a free estimate and advice.
