Before You Paint: Prepping Your Home’s Exterior with Sealant & Filler

There is something incredibly satisfying about a freshly painted home. Not only does it boost curb appeal, but it also provides a layer of protection against the elements. Refreshing your home's exterior paint can be an essential part of your regular maintenance routine or a relatively inexpensive way to transform the overall look of your home.

Whether you're planning a top-to-bottom paint job, touching up the paint after a repair, or simply adding a splash of colour to your front door, achieving a beautiful and durable finish starts well before you open that can of paint. Proper preparation is key, and sealants and fillers play a crucial role in ensuring you start with a smooth, uniform, and gap-free surface. This foundation helps your paint to adhere and stand the test of time.

When to Repaint Your Home's Exterior: Key Factors

Determining how often to repaint the exterior of your home depends on several factors, including the material, the quality of previous paint applications, and the weather and climate in your area. Here's what you need to consider:

Home Exterior Materials

Depending on the age of your home, the exterior may be made of a wide range of materials, each with specific painting needs and maintenance requirements:

• Vinyl Siding: Popular for its durability and low maintenance. Usually unpainted, but if painted, expect to repaint every 5-10 years.
• Wood Siding: Valued for its natural beauty and versatility. Paint every 3-7 years or stain every 4 years to protect against moisture and pests.
• Brick: Low maintenance and durable. If painted, a refresh is needed every 15-20 years.
• Stucco: Best suited for drier climates but durable and fire-resistant. Repaint every 5-10 years to maintain protection and appearance.
• Fibre Cement Siding: Known for its durability and low maintenance. Holds paint well, needing a refresh every 5-10 years.
• Aluminum Siding: Found on older homes, it's lightweight and fire-resistant. Repaint every 5-10 years to combat fading and chalkiness.
• Stone & Stone Veneer: Rarely painted due to its natural beauty. Minimal maintenance is required.
• Engineered Wood Siding: An eco-friendly option with better resistance than natural wood. Repaint every 5-10 years for a lasting finish.

Previous Paint Jobs

According to WOW 1 Day Painting, knowing details about the last paint job, like the type and quality of paint, number of coats, colour, and weather conditions during the application, can help you determine how long the paint will likely last. Generally, high-quality paints last much longer, up to 10 years, especially when applied in multiple coats with proper preparation and application. Opt for a lighter shade and 100% acrylic formula for optimal longevity and resistance to fading.

If you don't have the details from the last paint job, that's okay! A good rule of thumb is to repaint when the current paint shows signs of wear, like fading, cracking, or peeling. Regularly assessing the condition of your paint and addressing issues as they arise will help maintain the appearance and protection of your surfaces.

The Impact of Weather on Paint

Hot summers and UV light exposure can cause paint to bubble or fade faster. If trees do not shelter your home, you might have to paint more often. The harsh Canadian winters can lead to quicker paint peeling or cracking due to temperature fluctuations, intense storms, and high humidity.

Mastering Surface Preparation for a Flawless Paint Job

Painting the exterior of your home is a massive undertaking. Before breaking out the brushes, take a few steps to ensure your hard work pays off. This is also your opportunity to seal any gaps or cracks that are reducing your home's efficiency or letting in damaging rot and mould casing moisture.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Inspect Your Home's Exterior

• Carefully examine the entire home for signs of damage, including cracks, holes, and rot.
• Pay special attention to windows and doors. Check the frames, trim, caulking, and weatherstripping for deterioration or gaps.
• Inspect the joints and seams in the siding for loose pieces, gaps, peeling paint, or cracks.
• Check the roofline and gutters for damage, ensuring they are securely attached and free from rust or leaks.
• Inspect the chimney, flashing, soffits, vents, light fixtures, utility connections, and decorative elements for any issues requiring extra care.

2. Properly Clean the Surface

• For the best possible adhesion, start with a clean canvas.
• Use a pressure washer to remove dirt, dust, mould, and mildew from the surface. For stubborn spots, scrub with a mixture of water and soap.
• Scrap away any loose or peeling paint with a wire brush and sand the edges of the area to blend them with the existing paint.

3. Fill Gaps, Cracks & Dents

• A smooth, seamless surface before painting is essential for a professional-looking finish. At DAP Canada, we offer a wide range of caulk, sealants, and repair products to cover every exterior application.
• DYNAFLEX ULTRA is the go-to product for sealing cracks, gaps, and joints. Its superior flexibility and durability make it perfect for handling exterior materials' natural expansion and contraction.
• PLATINUM PATCH is an excellent choice for filling in holes or dents and installing or finishing most types of siding.
• Both products are formulated with our innovative Weather Max Technology™ for long-lasting, all-weather protection, ensuring your home looks great for years to come.

Other Useful Tips & Tricks

Don't Forget Gutters & Flashing

As you prepare your exterior for a fresh coat of paint, it's also a good idea to address other potential problem areas, such as gutters and flashing. Properly sealing and maintaining these elements alongside your painting project can prevent water infiltration and damage, protecting your home's exterior from the harshest weather conditions. For more information on tackling gutters and flashing, check out our comprehensive guide on Gutters & Flashing (coming next week).

Keep It Neat

Remember to use drop cloths to protect plants, walkways, and other areas from paint splatter. Apply painter's tape and plastic to doors, trim, or any other fixtures you don't want to get paint on. Here's a handy trick for easy painting around windows: don't worry about taping them off, as the paint will easily scrape off with the right tool.

Test for Lead Paint

If your home was built before 1978, use a lead test kit to check for lead paint. Lead requires extra safety precautions or professional assistance.

Pick the Perfect Painting Day

Spring and fall are the best times to paint your home's exterior. Aim for a mild day (10 to 29°C) that is not too humid (40-70%). Avoid a windy day, as this can cause the paint to dry too quickly or blow dust and debris onto the wet paint. Ideally, choose an overcast day where no rain is forecasted. Direct sunlight can cause the paint to dry too quickly and blister. Paint needs time to dry and cure before getting wet.

Smooth It Out

Before you start painting, it's crucial to sand any rough or peeling areas to create a smooth surface for the new paint to adhere to. Use medium-grit sandpaper for general sanding and fine-grit paper for finishing touches. If you're dealing with large, flat areas, consider using a power sander to save time and ensure an even finish. Proper sanding improves paint adhesion and enhances the overall appearance of your finished project. Remember to clean off any dust from sanding to ensure a flawless application.

Prime for Success

Always apply a high-quality primer to bare wood or metal surfaces before painting for the best results. Primer helps to seal the surface, block stains, and create a uniform base for the paint to adhere to. A primer can prevent bare wood from soaking up too much paint, while it helps prevent rust and corrosion on metal. Choose a primer specifically designed for the material you are working with and ensure it's compatible with the paint you'll be using. This step is essential for ensuring long-lasting durability and a professional finish.

Achieving a beautiful and long-lasting exterior paint job requires more than selecting the right paint colour and brand. Proper preparation is crucial to ensure that your efforts pay off in the form of a durable, professional-looking finish. By taking the time to inspect, clean, fill, and prime your surfaces, you're setting the stage for paint that not only enhances your home's curb appeal but also protects it from the elements. Whether you're refreshing your entire home, touching up after repairs, or simply adding a splash of colour, following these steps will help you achieve the best results. Remember, a well-prepared surface is the foundation of a paint job that stands the test of time.

Learn More