Your walls support your roofs, floors, and ceilings and provide you and your family with shelter. When designed properly, they can add beauty and sophistication to your home. Because of this, you have to find the right balance between durability and aesthetic value. One way to do this is to ensure the paint is in excellent condition. Here are some tips you can follow to make sure that your freshly painted walls last for as long as possible:

  • Check for defects regularly

Over time, you will start to notice signs of wear and tear on your walls, like cracks, peeling or discolored paint, or chips. These small defects can usually be easily addressed, but they can turn into much bigger issues if left unchecked. Therefore, prevent minor problems from getting worse by checking your walls regularly for potential problems. 

  • Consider humidity

If you are planning a paint project in your home, don’t forget to take humidity into account. Humid summers can subject your home to a lot of moisture. When this happens, there can be bubbling and warping in your paint, especially the exterior. 

Too much bubbling in your paint may lead to problems in your siding, trim, and other parts of your house made of wood. Because of this, prioritize controlling the humidity in your property to extend your paint’s lifespan and keep it looking its best.

  • Check your walls for imperfections

One of the most important ways to ensure that your paint project becomes successful and lasts longer is to prepare your walls. Before painting, check your property thoroughly for cracks, holes, dirt, and more. Fix all of these imperfections and make sure that your existing paint is in good condition or stripped from your walls. This way, you are assured that you can paint the surface smoothly, and they will stay on longer.

  • Clean your walls after painting

At least two weeks after painting your walls, make sure to clean them to avoid dirt and dust from accumulating the surface and lengthen the life of their paint. Test any cleaning solution on a small patch of paint in a hidden place using a mixture of mild soap and water or a gentle cleaner on a soft cloth or sponge. Once you clean them, dry them quickly and avoid too much moisture from being absorbed by their surfaces.

  • Store leftover paint for future use

Your walls will show signs of wear and tear in the long run. Make sure to keep any leftover paint properly for future use, like fixing small details, and prevent it from drying out before it expires. 

You can use latex paint for two to five years to keep your paint job looking fresh as long as it is stored properly. To do this, place plastic wrap over the lid, seal the can with a rubber mallet, and keep it in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.

Conclusion

A fresh coat of paint on your walls can help repel dust, dirt, and allergens and even allow you to express your personality and beautify your home through wall paint color. While paint can fade over time, you can maintain its good condition and ensure your paint job stays long for as long as possible by following the tips listed above. If you need further assistance, you can always reach out to professionals like us.

At One Stop Plastering, we specialize in interior and exterior plaster and stucco, fireplaces, concrete and plaster walls, and more. We serve residential and commercial property owners in the Northern San Francisco Bay Area. Get in touch with us to learn more about our services!