Commercial and Industrial Inspections
HOME CARE TIP
So your home has recently been painted. A real plus, no worries for at least four years, right? You may be very wrong! Your used home's exterior may have been painted by the seller over a chalky surface to achieve a quick "looks good" curb appeal. If this is the case, the paint will probably peel off in a few months by itself or after a good pressure washing.
Preparation is the most important issue when it comes to applying paint, both on used homes as well as new. For example, we see new homes painted without primers all the time during our construction monitoring services. This is not "okay".
FIRST: Masonry and/or stucco homes can be analyzed by checking the surface by using a simple hand wipe at the south and west walls. The sun blasts the walls the greatest here, breaking down the paint. This is where you will see a difference between the cheapest vs. the more expensive paint products. The cheapest will go first. Chalking will occur first at these sun-exposed walls. Molds and mildews will occur at the northern wall surfaces. Once failing paint has been determined, you will want to FIRST clean all exterior surfaces. Hand wash or pressure wash with soaps or bleaching chemicals. Neutralize surfaces with tri-sodium phosphate. After drying, fill in all cracks with a polyurethane-vulkem sealant. We recommend a textured stucco-concrete patch manufactured by QUICKRETE. Purge into cracks and wipe off access, so as not to leave any raised scars. This product is not water soluble!
SECOND: Now use a suitable penetrating primer. Primers can be tinted slightly to a more closer match to your finish paint. However, this may break down the penetrating ability. Consult your vendor or supplier. Once again, allow ample drying time.
THIRD: Application of a top or finish coating. Roll and back roll to provide an even coverage. If you don't enjoy painting and you don't have any ambitious, qualified friends, we recommend using elastomeric coating. These paints will expand and contract with weather changes and cover minor hairline cracks, should they occur.
FOURTH: Clean up, always keep the leftovers of your paint material in tightly sealed containers and in a safe location. Note: During the course of a home inspection, KRAUS GROUP, INC. Inspection Services is looking at the painted surfaces. We'll let you know about the exterior paint. Paint specifications are available for our clients, should they desire. We use Sherwin Williams in preparing spec.'s for elastomeric coatings.
Congratulations on your newly purchased used or new home!
Good painting. Kraus Group, Inc.
