One of the most common questions we receive as professional painters is: “when should I paint my walls or ceilings?” The answer is: “well, it really depends.” I know, that’s the worst answer isn’t it? “It really depends” is the answer because there are a lot of variables when it comes to determining whether or not you should paint your home. But that isn’t a satisfactory answer so let’s get into the details.
There are a lot of different lifestyles out there and these lifestyles play a direct role when it comes to painting. Are you a full time parent with a few kids? Perhaps you are a pet owner? Are you a neat freak? Or maybe you’ve gotten along in years? Whatever your specific lifestyle, your house is almost always a reflection of said lifestyle. A couple who have children is much more likely to have hallways with handprints, a plethora of dings and dents, and maybe even the occasional crayon artwork. Pet owners will likely have walls and doors with scratches, older folks will likely have a less “lived in” home, and neat freaks will be…well, neat freaks! The point is, if your lifestyle is on the active side, then it is much more likely you should consider painting.
When we are talking about paint jobs, it doesn’t necessarily mean the entire home. Certain rooms will need to be repainted more frequently than other rooms. While that 10 year old paint job in the guest bedroom may look great, the kids’ playroom likely doesn’t. Hallways or other high traffic areas will almost always have more wear and tear. Bathrooms with showers are high moisture environments and this can be tough on the paint job. And that spaghetti dinner tasted great but the sauce that splattered onto the kitchen wall is sure to be an annoyance! Higher traffic areas need to be painted more frequently. Our clients often tell us that they are looking to repaint these areas closer to every 5 years.
While a splatter on the wall might be something that can be easily cleaned off, there are other signs that point to the need for a new paint job. Some of these signs are cosmetic, some are aesthetic, and others will help prevent future headaches. Cosmetic signs include scuff marks and handprints on walls, peeling paint, scratches, gouges and dents in the drywall, black marks on the ceilings, and the list goes on. Paint also starts fading after a number of years, and so the color will change. You will notice this especially in rooms that get a lot of sun. While most of these items aren’t absolutely necessary to have remedied, a new paint job can go a long way in terms of the overall appearance of your home. Your home is not only your most expensive investment, it is also the place you spend most of your time. Having a beautifully painted home makes a big difference!
There are also aesthetic reasons for painting a home. Some trends come and go, but others are here to stay. Wood paneling for example is safe to say is a thing of the past. Although certain types of “easy stick” wallpaper can be trendy now, the old school glue and paper version is also a thing of the past. When it comes to your home, keeping it updated is a good idea in order to keep the home value up to par. If your home resembles a museum of the 70’s, maybe it’s a good time to paint! All kidding aside, changing your wall color to a more modern look will give your home a facelift. It will also make sure your home doesn’t fall too far behind the modern designs and become dated.
Cosmetics and aesthetics are one thing, but a paint job is also something that can help prevent future headaches and expenses for you as the homeowner. For example, maybe you’ve noticed a line of bulges on your ceiling where nail pops have started? You might be able to live with the bulges, but if the nails break through the drywall it turns into a different story. Similarly, maybe you’ve noticed some hairline cracks on the walls? Not a big deal right now, but it is the nature of cracks to expand and spread. Maybe you’ve seen just a few mold spots on your bathroom ceilings? We hate to break it to you, but mold usually doesn’t stop growing on its own! If you start noticing nail pops, cracks, or mold, these are signs to plan on a new paint job. Catching these things early saves you time and money in the future. Not to mention peace of mind, which is priceless!