Spring Exterior Painting: What Perth Property Owners Should Check
Introduction
Spring is a useful time to walk around your property and check the condition of exterior painted surfaces.
Rather than deciding to repaint simply because a building looks tired, look more closely at the coating, substrate and areas receiving the greatest weather exposure.
For homeowners and property managers considering exterior painting in Perth, an inspection can help identify maintenance requirements before the scope is finalised.
Here are some of the areas worth checking.
Check for Peeling or Flaking Paint
Start by looking for coatings that are:
- Peeling
- Flaking
- Cracking
- Lifting
- Exposing the surface underneath
Pay particular attention around edges, joins and other areas where deterioration may be more visible.
Loose coatings need appropriate preparation before repainting.
Simply applying new paint over an unstable coating does not address the condition underneath.
Inspect Rendered Surfaces
Rendered walls can develop cracks or other defects.
Not every crack has the same cause or requires the same repair.
Before repainting, identify these areas and assess what preparation or repair is required.
Paint itself should not be treated as a substitute for repairs to the underlying surface.
Look Closely at Exterior Timber
Timber elements can require different maintenance from masonry surfaces.
Check:
- Doors
- Window frames
- Timber trims
- Panels
- Decorative timber
Look for worn coatings, peeling and exposed timber.
Depending on the condition, preparation may include cleaning, sanding and other work before new coatings are applied.
Compare Exposed and Sheltered Elevations
Not every side of a property experiences the same conditions.
One wall may receive substantially more direct sunlight than another.
Other elevations may be more protected by:
- Eaves
- Landscaping
- Adjacent buildings
- Orientation
Perth’s strong sunlight and seasonal weather can contribute to different rates of coating deterioration around the same property.
Inspect each elevation rather than assuming the whole building is in identical condition.
Identify Difficult Access Areas
Some exterior surfaces are easy to inspect from ground level.
Others may involve:
- Two-storey walls
- High gables
- Upper windows
- Multi-storey façades
Access requirements should be identified during project planning.
Nu-Vision has documented experience working at heights and has completed projects involving specialised access at locations including Perth Modern School and the four-storey Witcomb Place property in South Perth.
At Witcomb Place, the project also involved work to render, concrete, stone cladding and timber elements, demonstrating that an exterior repaint can include several different substrates and maintenance requirements.
Check for Dirt and Surface Contamination
Exterior surfaces naturally accumulate dirt and contaminants.
Depending on the substrate and project, cleaning or pressure washing may form part of preparation before painting.
Nu-Vision includes pressure washing among its documented residential and commercial service capabilities.
The correct cleaning method should always suit the particular surface.
Consider Other Maintenance Before Painting
Before booking an exterior repaint, identify other maintenance that may affect the painted areas.
This could include:
- Repairs
- Carpentry
- Render work
- Building maintenance
- Window work
Completing necessary work in the correct sequence helps reduce the chance of freshly painted surfaces being damaged afterwards.
Does the Entire Property Need Repainting?
Not necessarily.
Some elevations may be more deteriorated than others.
The appropriate scope depends on:
- Existing coating condition
- Substrate
- Previous preparation
- Exposure
- Appearance
- Maintenance requirements
This is why an inspection is more useful than relying on a fixed rule about when every building should be repainted.
Plan Exterior Maintenance Before It Becomes Urgent
Planned maintenance gives property owners more opportunity to understand the work required, obtain quotations and coordinate access.
For commercial or strata properties, early planning can also help organise the work around residents, staff or normal business activities.
Nu-Vision provides residential, commercial, strata and government painting services across Perth, including exterior painting and working-at-heights capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is spring a good time to inspect exterior paint?
Spring can be a practical time to review exterior maintenance, particularly before the hotter part of the year.
The actual timing of painting will depend on the property, coating requirements and weather conditions.
Does fading mean the paint has failed?
Not necessarily.
Fading is one sign worth monitoring, but the complete condition of the coating and substrate should be assessed.
Can exterior cracks simply be painted over?
Cracks should be assessed and appropriately addressed before repainting.
Do all exterior painting projects require pressure cleaning?
No.
Preparation methods depend on the surface and its condition.
Can multi-storey buildings be repainted?
Yes, subject to appropriate assessment and access planning.
Nu-Vision has experience working at heights and on multi-storey properties.
Related Articles
- 7 Signs Your Perth Home May Be Due for Repainting
- What Does Proper Paint Surface Preparation Actually Involve?
- Commercial Painting Planning in Perth
- What Should You Look for in a Professional Painting Quote?
- Strata Painting Perth: Planning Common Area Repaints
Planning Exterior Painting in Perth?
If your home, commercial building or strata property is showing signs of coating deterioration, an assessment can help establish what actually needs attention.
Nu-Vision Painting provides exterior painting throughout Perth, including surface preparation and access planning where required.
Contact Nu-Vision Painting to arrange an on-site assessment and detailed quotation.