Exterior Painting in Ellicott City

I’d like to suggest 5 key factors for evaluating quality painting contractors when needing exterior painting in Ellicott City.

Just because a home has terrific colors and straight lines does not guarantee it will last for years. Unfortunately, it is impossible to look at a freshly painted home and determine how long the paint will last. However, there are 5 key factors that will ultimately determine if the exterior painting is going to protect your house for a few years or a decade.

These are the 5 key factors give you a 5-Year Warranty

Power washing properly

Using a moisture meter

Choosing the right primeThe right amount of topcoats

Working in cooperation with Mother Nature

Exterior Painting in Ellicott City: Our Five Key Factors

It Starts With Proper Power Washing

Excessive power washing can cause real damage to your home.

When power washing or pressure washing the exterior of your home, we let the chemicals do the work, not high pressure. We leave the high-pressure to Time Share salespeople.

We use the least amount of chemicals that kill mildew and get rid of dirt and pollen collected on the home.

Our cleaning products will not harm your plants or flowers!

FYI – We insist that the chemical stay on for 15 minutes. That’s the amount of time necessary to kill the mold spores.

If not, the mildew will grow back much faster.

Whether you need your deck and fence power washed or your home. We will be happy to explain the best products to make your project turn out absolutely beautiful.

GET YOUR FREE HOUSE PAINTING ESTIMATE NOW!

Enter your name, email and phone number below. One of our friendly staff members will get back to you within 60 minutes to schedule your free exterior painting estimate. We can’t wait to meet you!

#2. The Moisture Meter

It is impossible to feel the wood and know if the moisture content is low enough to paint. And believe it or not, most painters do not own a moisture meter.

Why this isn’t as important as a paint can opener is beyond me.

FYI – The most likely cause of paint peeling is water.

Almost all paint requires the moisture content to be below 16%.

#3. Choosing the Right Primer

There is no “one size fits all” for exterior primers. Whether you are painting Georgia Pine or pine from Canada, it’s not all the same primer.

What happens if you choose the wrong primer? The paint will peel.

Why?

Because the wood, primer, and top coat of paint are not expanding and contracting at the same rate.

With the sharp changing seasons of Ellicott City, it is important to have all 3 surfaces expanding and contracting at the same rate.

When choosing Klappenberger & Son, we can advise you on which primer will work best with your surface.

Exterior Painting in Ellicott City: Is There Really a Difference Between One Coat And Two?

Besides applying two coats satisfies the warranty, it also extends the paint job’s life for years.

For example, the picture on the right clearly shows where someone brushed the edges and seams and then painted the exterior wall with a roller.

The areas that received two coats have significantly more paint left.

Applying a second coat of paint usually adds about 30-35% to the total cost of the job. Considering it can extend the paint job’s life by 5 years, it is a wise investment.

However, there are times when applying a second coat is not necessary. Areas that are protected from the sun and rain of can be either just cleaned or perhaps just one coat of paint applied.

Your local Klappenberger owner Arturo Lacayo, will be happy to give the proper recommendation.

#5. Proper Weather Conditions

When is the best time for exterior painting? It depends on the temperature. Most manufactures like the temperature to be lower than 90 degrees and above the mid-’30s for at least 24 hours. If paint freezes before it fully dry, then it can lose its ability to cure fully.

Even if the paint feels dries to the touch, most paint takes 24 hours to cure enough to handle rain. Otherwise, it is susceptible to bubbling.

Therefore it is best not to paint when the chance of precipitation is above 30-40% for the next 24 hours.

Klappenberger & Son Is Your Exterior Painting Company in Ellicott City

Not only do we know the ins and outs of painting, but we also have some terrific carpenters.

Whether you have rotten wood trim boards, a loose handrail, or other exterior maintenance projects we have you covered.

Other services include:

GET YOUR FREE HOUSE PAINTING ESTIMATE NOW!

Enter your name, email and phone number below. One of our friendly staff members will get back to you within 60 minutes to schedule your free exterior painting estimate. We can’t wait to meet you!