Symptoms: Mildew Mildew is a fungus feeding and growing on the paint film or caulk and is identifiable by its grey, brown, green or dark black “splotchy” spots. Potential Causes: * Combination of moisture, poor ventilation and lack of direct sunlight. Underside of soffits and eaves are especially prone to mildew. * Painting over a [...]

Symptoms: Sagging or Running This paint failure is easily identified as a dripping or drooping look to areas of the paint film. Potential Causes: * Application of a coat of paint that was too heavy or overloaded. * Heavy handed paint application. * Paint thinned too much at time of application. * Paint was applied [...]

Symptoms: Chalking Chalking is identifiable as a fine chalky powder that forms on the surface of a paint film. Although some chalking is a normal way paints self clean when exposed to the sun and rain, excessive chalking can be a paint failure. In dry arid climates where there is little rain, chalking can become [...]

Symptoms: Efflorescence A problem of painted masonry construction, efflorescence is identifiable by crusty white salt deposits that bubble through the paint film from a masonry structure. Salts in the brick or concrete become dissolved with water and then leach to the surface as the water evaporates. Potential Causes: * Poor paint surface preparation where prior [...]

Symptoms: Alligatoring and Checking “Alligatoring” is a failure in the paint film where it takes on a cracking pattern of deep relief resembling a reptile’s skin, such as that of an alligator. “Checking” is a similar failure but is less severe and is characterized by long, fairly evenly spaced cracks in the paint film having [...]

Symptoms: Blistering Blistering paint is identified by small to medium sized bubbles or blisters under the paint film and is most common on wood siding and trim. Potential Causes: Painting in direct sunlight on a hot substrate (surface being painted) which traps solvent vapor as the paint dries too quickly. Painting when the wood is [...]

Coordinating house colors can be confusing. Most houses will use a palette with at least three different colors for siding, trim, and accents. Your local paint store or home supply store can give you sample color charts with suggested color combinations. Or, you can view paint color charts online using the links below. Please note [...]

Picking house paint colors isn’t just difficult. It’s terrifying! Pick colors that are blah, and your house will seem flat and featureless. But if the colors you pick are too bold, they might overwhelm the architecture… and upset the neighbors. The best colors will highlight the most beautiful features of your home. Skillful use of [...]