Colorado’s climate is brutal on your home’s exterior.  UV rays at altitude, freeze-thaw cycles and temperature extremes all contribute to the degradation of exterior paints and sealers, and concrete flatwork.  Late winter or early spring is the perfect time to walk around your home’s exterior to check for needed maintenance and repairs.

Paint:  If you notice excessive chalking or fading of color, cracks in substrates or between substrates, peeling, flaking, etc., it’s time to repaint!  Southern and western exposures as well as horizontal surfaces are more susceptible and will show signs earlier.  Typically, a quality exterior paint job should last five to seven years.

Driveway and Sidewalks:  Pitting and spalling are signs of a weakened top layer of concrete.  If addressed early on, there are resurfacing and sealing systems which will halt the deterioration.  If left untreated, moisture and chemicals will penetrate through the damaged surface increasing the deterioration to the point where replacement will eventually be the only option.

Stamped Concrete:  If you notice any fading of color or sheen, or flaking of the existing sealer, it’s time to reseal.  With proper application of concrete sealers, you can expect two to three years between coats.

Decorative Concrete:  If left untreated and not regularly maintained, concrete and decorative concrete will crack, flake, and show signs of pitting and spalling.  Once open to moisture penetration, any concrete slab will be subject to freeze-thaw damage and rapid structural degradation.  All points for potential moisture penetration (cracks, pitted and spalled areas, etc.) must be filled with an appropriate filler, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned, recolored if necessary, and then resealed with an appropriate sealer.

Remember – it’s important to consistently and regularly maintain your home’s exterior coatings.  Coatings are there for a reason – to protect the surface or substrate underneath.  When those protective coatings degrade, then the surfaces beneath those coatings degrade as well.  It’s much less expensive to replace coatings than it is to replace siding, trim, or concrete!