Maintaining the paint job on the side of a house or apartment building can be tedious for a property manager. However, it’s an essential aspect of maintaining the beauty and appeal that comes with operating a rental property or being an HOA president. At UCI Paints, we work with HOA paint contractors that recommend regular maintenance to ensure that the paint on the outside of a building or house stays strong and beautiful.

Touch-up regularly

It’s not uncommon for paint to get minor blemishes over time in the form of small cracks or chips due to the elements and changes in temperature. While these blemishes are natural, they shouldn’t be left unattended. Cracks and chips in paint can leave your home or building open to moisture damage that can cause significant structural damage. You should have painters go over trouble areas with fresh paint yearly to ensure that the breakage in paint doesn’t become a point of concern.

Wash the house/building

The sides of a house or apartment building will get dirty as it rains or you perform yard maintenance. You’ll notice that dirt and grime will accumulate that make the siding look old and dingy. Birds will also build their nests on the sides of homes that aren’t often disturbed. Dirt build-up and mud used to make bird nests can quickly and easily be cleaned off using a pressure washer. Although, if you allow too much to build up over several years, you’ll find that it’s much more difficult to remove, and you’ll need a scrub brush and soapy water to get it clean.

It’s important to maintain clean siding on your home because dirt and grime can deteriorate your paint leading to cracks. Paint that’s cracked due to dirt accumulation is more likely to let mold spores into the exposed area.

Clean gutters and downspouts

The gutters and downspouts on your home are essential for effectively preventing water from accumulating on your home or building. Gutters that are clogged or blocked cause tremendous problems as they’ll get backed up and make it easier for water to soak against paint and wear it down. Clean out your gutters and downspouts twice a year to ensure that water flows freely away from your home.

Maintain landscaping

Trees and bushes that get overgrown can scrape against the side of your house and wreak havoc on your paint. Areas of your home that have had paint scraped off are vulnerable to moisture and will often be the source of water damage. Maintaining your landscaping will help prevent your paint from being damaged by trees and shrubs that get whipped around in the wind.

Refresh caulking yearly

Caulking is meant to do more than keep your windows, doors, and vents from leaking air. It’s also designed to create a seal in these areas so the framing of your home isn’t exposed to the elements as paint can’t seal corners. Fresh caulking should make a strong, water-tight seal in corners where paint can’t protect your home. If caulking is worn down and cracked, it cannot create that seal, which allows moisture into these trouble areas. Hiring HOA paint contractors to touch up the paint and caulking will help to prevent further damage in the future.

Get in touch for more tips

If you’d like to learn more about paint maintenance as performed by professional HOA paint contractors, contact us at UCI Paints. You can reach us by calling 954-581-6060 or sending a message using our online contact form.