Are you looking for ways to keep your home’s exterior looking fresh, but aren’t sure if it needs power washing vs painting? For many homeowners, this is a question that often arises. Doing a full repaint of your home’s exterior can be costly and take a lot of time and hassle. However, power washing shouldn’t be done too often, as it can actually damage your exterior paint job and the siding itself if not done correctly. Both power washing and painting requires an expert level of care and training that only professionals can provide. So what should you do? Read on to learn when to power wash vs. repaint and find tips on how to extend exterior house paint.
In This Post
Power Washing vs. Painting: What’s Best for Your Home?
Taking steps to care for your exterior paint job can save you a lot of time, money, and stress. How you maintain your exterior will make all the difference when it comes to the longevity of your paint job. Most exterior paint jobs last between 5-10 years, depending on certain factors that you can learn more about here.
Whether you’re dealing with dirt and grime from the winter months or just noticing your paint doesn’t look as fresh and bright as it once did, the big question is: Should you power wash or repaint your exterior?
Knowing when to clean, when to paint, and how to protect your exterior can help extend the life of your paint and keep your home looking its best all year long.
Signs Your Home Needs to be Power Washed
Power washing your exterior is an efficient and effective way to refresh your home’s appearance by removing dirt, grime, salt, mildew, and other debris that’s built up on your exterior surface. Power washing can also help you see any damage on your exterior, such as cracks or early signs of damage. Catching these issues early is key to preventing costly damages.
If your current exterior paint job is still in good condition (without major peeling, fading, chipping, or cracks) and you’re happy with the paint color, a good power wash may be all you need to revive your home’s exterior and bring it back to life. It’s amazing how much of a difference it makes – making it so much brighter and cleaner-looking!
You may want to power wash your home if:
- You live near a busy road or in an area where dirt frequently blows.
- Nearby construction has kicked up dust and debris.
- Your siding stays shaded and collects mildew.
- There are noticeable streaks, grime, or dullness in the paint.
- You’ve experienced a harsh weather season.
- It’s time for annual maintenance on your exterior.
- You’re planning to list your home for sale.
- You’re planning to repaint your exterior.
Just remember, while you can DIY a power wash, it’s best to hire a professional that specializes in exterior home power washing. They’ll know the proper settings, nozzles, and techniques to use to ensure your siding doesn’t get damaged, window seals aren’t broken, and paint isn’t stripped away.
Power Washing vs. Pressure Washing
The terms power washing and pressure washing are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference in these two methods. It can be so confusing, we know!
Power washing is a method that uses heated water, which is ideal for cleaning grease, grime, salt, mildew, or tough stains.
Pressure washing uses unheated water to clean the surface.
Does Pressure Washing Damage House Paint?
Pressure washing uses powerful tools that can damage house paint if not used correctly. If the wrong nozzles are used or you stand too close, it can damage the paint and even the siding, especially if it’s already chipping or hindered. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced professional pressure wash your home – and the same goes for power washing! When done properly, these methods can help keep your exterior clean, bright, and protect your siding by removing debris that cause decay and damage over time.
Signs Your Home Needs To Be Painted
If your home’s exterior needs more than a good power wash to bring it back to life, it may be time to repaint your home. An exterior paint job is an investment in time and money, but think of it as a long-term improvement for your home. A fresh coat of paint can help seal and protect your home from the elements.
You may want to paint your home’s exterior if:
- It’s showing serious signs of wear and tear or damage.
- Paint is peeling, cracking, or bubbling.
- The color looks faded or patchy.
- You want to change up your home’s color and increase curb appeal.
There are situations in which even a fresh coat of paint can’t fix what’s going on on the exterior of your home. Perhaps you have rotted wood, structural issues, or damage to your roof, gutters, windows, or doors. These issues will require specific professionals to help get your home back in tip-top shape. Learn the signs you may need more than exterior painting in this blog post.
Do You Have to Power Wash Before Painting?
Yes – prepping your home properly is the key to getting good adhesion, a smooth finish, and a long-lasting paint job. Power washing your exterior is a big part of the prep phase, as it helps remove any dirt, grime, contaminants, cracks, peeling or bubbling paint, and other residue that’s present on the exterior of your home. This step takes time, but please don’t skip it! It’ll help save you time from needing to repaint sooner down the road.
Tips to Extend Exterior House Paint
Whether you’ve previously painted your home’s exterior or are looking to repaint it, here are a few tips to help extend exterior house paint for years to come and protect your investment.
- Prepare the surface properly by power washing, repairing damages, and caulking, scraping, and sanding as needed. You want a smooth, clean finish to work with.
- Prime as needed, especially if you’re changing colors or covering bare areas.
- Use a high-quality exterior paint, such as the Sherwin-Williams Emerald Rain Refresh, for durability and finish.
- Hire a professional painter that has the proper tools, techniques, skills, and warranties to get the job done right.
- Conduct annual maintenance on your exterior to fix cracks, caulk gaps, and touch-up paint as needed.
- Protect your exterior from moisture by keeping gutters clear and addressing drainage issues early.
Ready To Freshen Up Your Exterior?
Taking a little time up-front to evaluate your home’s exterior can help you make the right decision of whether it needs a good power wash or a full repaint to get your exterior looking its best.
By taking the time to maintain your home’s exterior, it’ll boost its curb appeal, protect your home from damage, and ensure your paint job lasts for years.
If you’re ready to freshen up your home’s exterior with a new paint job, visit our contact page to book your estimate with our professional team of painters. Oak City Coatings proudly serves the Raleigh, NC area and would be honored to partner with you!
