4 Causes Of Peeling Exterior Paint
Peeling paint is frustrating, especially if it is your recently painted home's exterior that is already peeling. There are a few strategies that can prevent peeling paint problems.
1. Poor Surface Prep
Poor surface preparation is the most common reason for peeling paint. Old paint, especially if it is peeling, must be scraped off or removed with a pressure washer. Any dirt on the exterior walls must also be washed away or the paint will not adhere fully. Any damage on the wall surface should also be repaired prior to painting. Even clean, unpainted walls may require some prep such as sanding the surface lightly, as paint adheres better to a slightly roughened surface.
2. Wall Moisture Issues
Moisture on or in the walls is another major peeling risk. Avoid washing the walls right before painting. It's better to do this task the day before as this gives the walls a chance to thoroughly dry out. Wood siding can also suffer from moisture rot, which means the dampness is seeping out of the wood and not simply on its surface. Press a coin into each siding board with firm but gentle pressure. If the coin sinks in, the siding board has moisture rot and needs to be replaced before painting begins.
3. Mixed Paint Bases
Exterior primer and paint typically come as either oil or water-based options. Primer goes on first to create a smooth coat that paint can better adhere to. If the primer has a different base than the paint, such as when using an oil-based primer with water-based paint, the two coats may not adhere together as they should. Your paint may begin to peel away from the primer coat. Using the same base for all layers of primer and paint is the only way to avoid this peeling paint problem.
4. Adverse Weather Conditions
There is good painting weather and bad painting weather. Good weather for painting is clear and warm, but not too hot as too much heat can prevent the paint from curing properly. Too cold of temperatures can also affect how well the paint dries. The paint you use should have the ideal application temperature range printed on the label. Ideally, it should be dry for several days before you paint and for several days after, as moisture is one of the biggest issues when it comes to weather and painting.
A professional exterior painting contractor has the expertise to paint your home's exterior so that there are no peeling paint problems. Reach out to an exterior painting service near you today.