Your Guide To External Building Maintenance

Regular inspections should be carried out and External Building Maintenance made to any areas that are damaged or under stress.

There are several key things to look for when preparing a surface for repainting:

• A quick wash with water will not remove spores or small particles. Moulds can regrow underneath new paint films popping them off the surface
• Surface chalky or dirty? Proper cleaning involves both washing and rinsing
• Are there old sealants and puttys?
• If your building is in a seaside location these are some issues you can be faced with. Wind driven rain, especially with a high salt content erodes the weather protection of the building

External paint coatings don’t last forever, and additional coating must be carried out routinely to maintain decorative and weather-resistant properties. How long external paint will last depends on the:

• Surface preparation and condition of the old paint
• Typically, you get what you pay for – extremely cheap paints are likely to deteriorate faster than better quality (more expensive) paints
• Paint on the side of a building that gets less UV light exposure will last longer than paint full exposed side
• Colour – lighter colours tend to last longer than darker because they absorb less heat, so expand and contract less
• Size and type of material under the paint. Paint properly applied to cement-based materials tends to last longer than paint on timber
• Cleanliness of the painted surface – wash often down to remove airborne chemicals and dirt from the surface
• Number of coats applied
• Applying a dark colour directly over a light one can cause a previously sound paint to lose adhesion

If your building’s exterior needs a fresh coat of paint, finishing, cleaning or re-sealing contact T&B Mauro Painting for a free non-obligation quote now.