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exterior painting in Riverwoods

Friday, March 11, 2011

Exterior Painting in Riverwoods Preparation Techniques Can Be Paint Correctly From the Start

Inadequate or incomplete exterior painting in Riverwoods preparation is the major reason for failures of the finish. Next to using top quality paint, exterior paint preparation is the most important house painting technique.

Often the exterior needs the most time and effort to prepare due to the many surfaces exposed to the harsh weather and intense sunlight.

The preparation can amount to 50% or more of the time it takes to paint a house.

Take your time and pay special attention to the areas that need to be fixed.

Typical areas of concern are fascia boards, wood trim and windows or doors. Severely split or rotten wood should be replaced. Light damage can be repaired with epoxy wood filler or for light rot you can use bonding glue.

Avoid Future Repairs

Many houses I work on are missing key metal flashings that could have offered protection from rain and ice damage. Instead these homes rely on the caulking and some good luck. Fascia boards should have metal flashing that extends from under the roof over the fascias. This is especially important for directing water into the gutters. This flashing can be installed if it is missing.

Windows and doors should also have flashing, called drip edge, and is installed during the initial construction. Many older homes are missing this flashing and rely on the caulking to create a water proof seal.

The condition of the paint can indicate where possible problems are. Peeling or blistering can point to water leaks are and could also show up as discolored areas. The existence of persistent moisture will cause peeling and can involve mold and mildew. Fully remove the mold and mildew then repair any sources of moisture before applying primer.

After repairs are made, prevent the mold and mildew from recurring.