How to Prepare Your Outdoor Walls for Warm Weather
When the hot weather comes around, the focus tends to be on the garden and ensuring that the inside of your home is cool. However, thinking about the outside of your home is also important. This article will take a look at some of the problems with your outdoor walls that can be caused by hot weather, and what you can do to try and prevent these problems from occurring.
Peeling Paint
Hot weather is one of the main reasons why paint on your exterior walls will start to peel. The heat from the sun shining directly onto the wall can break down the molecules within the paint which will cause it to peel. Not only does this look unsightly, but it can also leave the brickwork underneath the paint exposed to the elements. Masonry paint is often used on the exterior of a home, but there are many different types of masonry paint, and some of them are far better than others. The Creativity Exchange puts UV protection as the second most important thing to look out for when you are choosing a paint for the outdoor walls of your home. A paint with a high level of protection is less likely to peel and therefore it will be several years before you need to paint the exterior of your home again. If the paint on your home is starting to peel, then one of the best ways you can protect it before summer is to have it repainted with paint that has a high level of UV protection. If you decide to have the exterior of your home painted by a professional company, then ask them what type of paint they are using so you can check that it offers the protection that you want.
Paint Color Becoming Uneven
Another problem that is associated with warm weather and paint is the paint becoming discolored. This means that you are not able to simply paint over the places where the paint has peeled as the wall will look patchy because the original paint is no longer the same color as it was when it was first applied. The difference in the color of freshly applied paint will be more obvious with darker colors. If you have repainted your home with the type of coating discussed above, then you should have no need to keep touching up the paint that has peeled, and so it is worth making this investment in your home.
Cracks Appearing
Brickwork is designed to retain a certain amount of moisture. This is what prevents the bricks from turning to powder and starting to crumble. If this moisture gets evaporated due to the hot weather, then you may notice that cracks start appearing in the wall. If these cracks become too big, then it can lead to structural damage. Cracks can be repaired, and the earlier they are noticed, the easier it will be to make these repairs. You want to check the outdoor walls on a regular basis during the summer so that you can spot any new cracks as soon as they appear. Cracks appearing in the brickwork should not be a major problem unless there is a really long spell of extremely warm and dry weather, but it is always worth being prepared.
Missing Caulk Around Windows
Warm weather can also lead the caulk around the windows to disintegrate. If there are gaps around the window frame, then this can lead to your home becoming drafty and cold in the winter. In the summer it may be more difficult to keep your home cool because the hot air from outside will get in through these gaps. Before the weather gets too warm you should check all the window and door frames around your home to see if there is anywhere that the caulk needs reapplying. This is a fairly simple job and one that you should be able to do yourself. Northwood Realty Services also suggest that you place tall plants and trees in front of your windows on the ground floor to give them more shade.
Discoloration From Algae And Moss
Damp and cool conditions can encourage the growth of moss and algae in the small gaps between the brickwork, whereas hot weather can kill them both. This may sound like a good thing but when the moss dies it will stain the wall and these stains can be difficult to get rid of. According to SFGate one of the best ways to get rid of these stains is using a solution of bleach and water. This may lighten the brickwork, but this will not be as noticeable as the dark stains that are left behind by the moss. You also need to take care that the solution does not run off onto any landscaping as it will damage plants and grass. Do not worry about leaving any bleach behind on the bricks as this will help to prevent any new growth of moss or algae.
When Should I Start Preparing Outdoor Walls For Warm Weather?
The best time to start preparing your outdoor walls for summer is during the spring. Things such as applying exterior coatings and filling in cracks need to be done when the weather is dry but not too warm. It can sometimes be difficult to avoid rain showers in the spring so you will need to keep checking the weather forecast for when there will be a few clear days of dry weather. If you can anticipate some of the ways that your outdoor walls may be affected by the warm weather, then you can make the necessary preparations before any serious damage occurs. If you get into the habit of checking your outside walls every spring, then you should never encounter any problem with your outside wall that takes you by surprise. If your outdoor walls are painted with a good quality masonry paint, then this should go a long way to prevent any damage occurring.
