Home maintenance is a challenge for Seattleites trying to keep up with the exterior of their home, especially with our iconic rainy climate. Moisture and mildew are painting’s current and future foes—arguably even more of a bane for brick, wood, and siding surfaces—and that’s why exterior painting is necessary to protect your investment. Whether you’re repainting your house yourself or hiring a pro, you want to know how to make it stick so that it lasts. Whether you’re in the market for an exterior painter in Seattle or elsewhere, this guide will show you what to expect and how to prepare.
Why Moisture and Mold Are an Issue in Seattle
The frequent rain and humidity in Seattle can lead to moisture infiltration of wood and porous surfaces. This wetness encourages the growth of mold and mildew, which can lead to damage such as discoloration, paint peeling, and structural issues. Allowing these to go unchecked can cause expensive pay-to-fixes and paint jobs that don’t stand the test of time.
Top Tips for Painting Homes in Seattle
Time Your Painting Selection Appropriately
It may sound counterintuitive in a rainy city but the timing of your exterior paint job couldn’t be more important. Mid to late spring and early summer are often the ideal season in Seattle. Seek dry days with modest temperatures; anything between about 50°F and 85°F should suit your needs nicely, ensuring that paint dries fully without bubbling or peeling, which are signs that paint isn’t sticking to the surface underneath.
Thorough Surface Preparation
For moisture and mold, preparation is everything. Start by:
- Washing the Surface: Treat the exterior surface with a pressure washer or by scrubbing with a solution of water and mildew cleaner or bleach to eliminate mold, mildew, dirt, and loose paint. Rinse well and leave the area to dry out so you can paint it.
- Scrape and Sand: Strip away paint that’s peeling or cannot adhere. Scour the rough edges of sand to smooth and so that fresh paint will adhere.
- Fixing the Damage: Replace or repair any spots of rotted wood or damaged siding to avoid more moisture problems in the future.
Good preparation ensures that the paint will adhere tightly and helps stop the mold from coming back underneath.
Use Mold-Resistant Primers and Paint
Not all paint is the same, especially for damp climates. Select a premium with mildew-resistant and moisture protection features, primer, and paint. These paints are made with mildew-inhibiting additives and provide a powerful shield against moisture seepage.
Check with your Seattle exterior painter about products that have been proven to hold up in the Pacific Northwest. Acrylic latex paints are used for their flexibility, durability, and resistance to moisture.
Seal Gaps and Cracks
Even the tiniest of cracks can provide a crevice through which moisture can infiltrate and wreak havoc. Caulk up gaps around windows, doors, and trim with a premium quality exterior caulk prior to painting. Water intrusion is also minimized, and it contributes to your paint job’s durability.
Maintain Proper Drainage and Ventilation
Painting the outside is only half the answer. Ensure that the gutters, downspouts, and drainage systems in your home are working as intended and guide the water away from the property’s foundation and siding. Trim back overhanging trees and bushes so there is air circulation and sunshine for surfaces to dry out faster after rain.
Proper ventilation in crawl spaces and attics also helps cut down on overall moisture buildup that can damage your home’s exterior.
Advantages of Employing an Exterior Painter in Seattle?
House painting in Seattle Home painting in Seattle requires knowledge and experience of moisture/mold inhibiting techniques.
What an Exterior Painter in Seattle Can Do
- A good Seattle exterior painter will:
- What an Exterior Painter in Seattle Can Do: A good Seattle exterior painter will:
- Inspect your house and determine potential sources of water damage.
- Properly prepare surfaces with methods such as mold removal.
- Choose the highest quality in paint and primers to withstand the weather that comes from being in Seattle.
- Do not paint when the weather is not right.
- Seal and finish well for lasting protection.
A professional exterior house painter can save you all the above, as well as the cost of renewal, because of premature replacement of paint caused by adhesion failure or the growth of mold and fungi.
Exterior Painting is about more than just being aesthetic. It’s also about protecting your home from all of that moisture and, of course, mold. The Pacific Northwest has a lot of both things. Good prep, excellent products, and professional application are key in achieving a beautiful and long-lasting paint job. If you want the exterior of your home to be as attractive as it is durable against Seattle’s wet weather, don’t wait to get in touch with a talented exterior painter in Seattle.
