6 Techniques for a Waterproof Exterior Paint Job

American Hill Country Gutters uses only the best for your waterproof exterior paint jobs. But what happens if you want to guarantee a waterproof exterior? Lock paint in on the outside of your home by following these 6 tips.

Remove all old paint
Replace bad siding
Caulk any cracks in the surfaces
Check your foundation
Irrigate drains properly
Maintain your gutters

Remove all old paint

As paint ages, it can flake off due to severe temperatures or even exposure to moisture. This can cause paint to chip off, which exposes other sections of paint to moisture.

Instead of painting over the old cracking colors, remove the old paint before applying a new coat. The cracks in the old paint will still be weak, which could cause the new coat to be just as susceptible to cracking.

Power wash the old coat off and make sure the wall is exposed before applying a brand new coat. If you have professionals applying the new coat, make sure the wall is visible before application. If it is not, your paint job will not hold against moisture and precipitation.

Replace bad siding

Poor siding can make a new paint job susceptible to water. Moisture can flow into the cracks and affect not just the outside of the paint, but the actual bond between the paint and the siding. This can cause the application to flake off, which could require a brand new job.

Instead, take the time to address problem points in the siding. Several problem signs of bad siding include:

High cooling or heating bills
Warped siding
Mold or mildew
Bubbles
Holes
Dry rot

Caulk any cracks in the surfaces

Even if your siding and paint are secured, you still need to seal up any cracks before applying a fresh coat of paint. Any cracks in the siding, even if they are simple seams, could soak into the actual paint and cause it to warp and fall off.

Use caulk to seal any cracks and seams within the siding to prevent water from affecting the new paint job. Apply caulk generously and use a trowel or your finger to get any excess off to ensure a great, smooth application for your paint.

Check your foundation

Water can seep into a cracked or settled foundation, which can cause more problems than just a bad paint job. Before applying a fresh coat to the outside of your house, make sure that the foundation is secured.

Some signs of foundation damage include:

Sloped floors
Misaligned windows
Hard to open doors or windows
Stair-step cracks

Irrigate drains properly

If there is improper irrigation to lead water away from your foundation, then water could seep into the foundation and seep into the walls, causing the paint job to dull and flake off.

Ensure that all drains are properly irrigated and leading away from the home. That way, when a rain storm hits, water hitting the house is directed outwards instead of left pooling.

Maintain your gutters

Most of the rainfall hitting your home should hit the roof, then get carried away by gutters. If you find that most of the rainfall is hitting the roof, then splashing back towards your walls, you’re giving yourself unneeded work with a paint job.

Make sure your gutters are installed securely and direct water to the downspout at the proper slope. Certain problems to look for with gutters include: