Does my house need painting?
Walk around your house with this checklist. Ten questions, two minutes, and you'll know whether to monitor, maintain or repaint.
1. Is paint peeling or flaking anywhere?
Check under eaves, window sills and the south and west walls.
2. Can you see bare, gray or exposed wood?
Weathered gray wood has lost its protection.
3. Is any wood soft, cracked or rotting?
Press a screwdriver into sills, trim and the bottom of corner boards.
4. Has the color faded noticeably?
Compare a sunny wall to a protected area under the eaves.
5. Does a chalky powder rub off on your hand?
Rub a dark cloth or your palm on the siding.
6. Is caulk cracked, shrunken or missing?
Look around windows, doors and trim joints.
7. Are there bubbles or blisters in the paint?
Often near bathrooms, kitchens or where the sun hits hard.
8. Is there mildew, algae or dark staining?
Common on north walls and shaded areas.
9. Are window and door trims deteriorating?
Sills and bottom rails take the most water.
10. Was the house last painted more than 7 years ago?
Or you don't know when it was last painted.
Was the house built before 1978?
Exterior paint condition
Answer a few more questions to see your result (0 of 10).
A checklist can't confirm what's underneath the paint. A painter may need to look in person.
Common questions
How do I know if my house needs painting?
Look for peeling or flaking paint, bare or gray wood, soft or rotting trim, cracked caulk, blisters, heavy fading and chalky residue. Bare wood and rot are the urgent signs, because water gets in and damage spreads quickly.
What does it mean when paint is chalky?
Chalking is a fine powder that forms as the paint binder breaks down in sunlight. It means the paint is aging. It must be washed off before repainting, or the new paint won't bond well.
Why is the paint failing on only one side of my house?
South and west walls get the most sun and fail first. Peeling on one wall can also point to moisture from inside, like a bathroom or kitchen, or from gutters and roof runoff.