Living along the New England shore has many perks, including access to beautiful beaches, scenic sunrises, warm ocean breezes and relaxing coastal vibes. With all this beauty comes a few hidden risks that could impact your home’s exterior painting or siding: salt, humidity, and precipitation.
One of the top reasons why exterior paint adhesion fails or siding begins to look dull or in need of repair, is weather. Moisture, salty air, and precipitation can cause some significant damage to exterior paint and siding, including bubbling, peeling, fading, discolorization, warping, buckling and mold growth.
Let’s examine the negative effects New England’s climate can have on your property’s paint and siding, and discuss prevention techniques to keep your home looking beautiful for years to come.
The Impacts of Humidity, Salt & Rain
Whether you live several miles inland or right on the beach, the climate in our region can have negative impacts on exterior paint and siding. The summer’s high humidity, salty air and wide range of precipitation can cause issues unless homeowners take some proactive steps to prevent the damage.
Salty air, carried by ocean breezes in the summer and by howling winds in the winter, can expose homes to salt corrosion. Salt particles can carry inland and form a sticky buildup that can trap moisture and accelerate wear on exterior surfaces.
Likewise, humidity can cause damage to exterior paint by clinging to surfaces and causing paint to lose adhesion and potentially bubble, peel or crack. Trapped moisture can be a large problem for paint, as it can break the adhesion bond between the paint and the surface, causing all sorts of damage to the paint and possibly rotting or mildew/mold growth on the surface below.
Moisture, like rain, snow and other forms of precipitation, is a common enemy to exterior surfaces. Rain can wash away or fade new paint projects and the harsh pelting of snow, sleet and hail can cause paint to crack and chip. When moisture gets trapped behind siding, it causes natural materials to expand and warp, creating gaps for further water infiltration and rotting and decay.
Prevention Strategies
As professional painters and siders, we know that there are techniques and strategies to use to prevent the unfortunate effects of moisture, salt and humidity from infiltrating your home’s exterior paint or siding.
Since high humidity can affect the drying process, aim to schedule your painting project during periods of lower humidity and allow ample time between coats for drying and adhesion. We also suggest scheduling a power washing to wash away dirt, grime and salt that has adhered to your exterior.
The right exterior paint choice is also a critical part of preventing moisture intrusion. Choosing high-quality paints such as Benjamin Moore’s Element Guard® offers superior protection against heavy rain, humidity, and moisture.
By understanding these coastal challenges and implementing the right protective measures, you can ensure your home remains both stunning and structurally sound despite the elements. If you’re ready to safeguard your home against the unique demands of New England weather, contact Liberty Painting & Siding today for a free estimate and let our experts provide the professional protection your exterior deserves.
