7 Signs Your House Needs Exterior Painting

Paint lifting off in strips or flakes means it has lost its bond with the wood. Often moisture is getting behind it. Once bare wood is exposed, it starts taking on water every time it rains.

Rub your hand on the siding. If it comes away with a white or colored powder, the paint binder has broken down from sun exposure. The color will look faded and the surface will not protect the way it should. Chalky surfaces need to be washed and prepped properly before new paint goes on.

Fine cracks, or a pattern that looks like reptile skin, show the paint has become brittle. This often happens when many layers have built up over decades, which is common on older homes around Arlington and Cambridge.

Press a screwdriver gently into window sills, the bottom of corner boards and porch trim. If it sinks in, there is rot. Rotted wood should be repaired or replaced before painting, because paint cannot hold it together.

Look at window and door corners and where trim meets siding. Gaps and cracked caulk let water straight into the wall. Recaulking is part of good prep.

Green or black streaks, usually on the shady north side, mean moisture is hanging around. Gentle washing removes it, and fresh paint over clean wood holds up much better.

Sometimes the paint is still holding, but the house simply looks worn. If you are thinking of selling, or you are just tired of the color, a repaint is one of the most visible upgrades you can make to a home.

If you see two or more of these signs, get an estimate before next season. We look at the whole house, point out what needs repair and what does not, and give you a clear written price. Free for homes in Arlington and the towns around it.