Belmont House Painters Belmont, MA

Expert tips for peeling paint in Boston area

After spring rain storms and summer heat, your home may be showing the signs of peeling paint. An eyesore for many area homes, paint that peels is often best corrected by hiring a local professional. Joe Giacalone of Arch Painting, a highly rated painting service, recently answered questions about the common paint killer.

What’s the most common cause for peeling paint?

Moisture and sun. To help prevent peeling paint, make sure all your home's gutters are sound and water is not running on the house.There is no doubt the elements will contribute to peeling. When water, snow and ice sits on decks and railings, paint is going to peel. Moisture is the biggest culprit.

When is the best time of year to paint?

September and October because it is dry and less humid. Most people hire in the summer though.

What should be done to repair peeling paint?

Scrape, sand and apply an oil base primer on bare wood and a top-quality acrylic finish.

What’s the benefit to hiring a professional for exterior painting?

Proper insurance, references and a proven track record. Customers should ask for that information, but we give it out in a packet when someone hires us.

What should customer ask a painter before hiring?

Ask if they use subcontractors or in-house painters. If they do use subcontractors, ask how long they have worked with them and what the relationship is like. Make sure your painter has a place of business and not just a P.O. box.

How common is peeling paint?

It's almost on every house. I’d say 90 percent of homes will have peeling paint.

Does living in the Northeast make homeowners more/less susceptible to peeling paint?

Yes, [with] temperatures fluctuating from zero degrees to 100 degrees, wood is constantly expanding and contracting.