Esthetic concerns typically spur most Naples, Florida-area homeowners into painting the exteriors of their homes. Unless exterior paint starts to chip, peel, fade, or otherwise starts showing its age, area homeowners typically don’t give their paint much thought. However, an exterior paint’s ability to beautify your home is just its most obvious purpose. Perhaps more importantly, exterior paint provides a strong layer of protection that helps prevent weather and insect damage and protect your home.

The expert painters at Naples-based FCI Painting know all about weather- and insect-related damage that can be caused when exterior paints deteriorate or are otherwise improperly applied. When assessing exterior paintwork, we sometimes have to inform our Naples-area clients that they will need to conduct repairs to wood or other underlying surfaces before we can paint. More often than not, the damage was caused by weather- or insect-related intrusion through degraded paint surfaces. Read on to learn more about how a professional exterior paint job can protect your Naples-area home.

Florida Has an Abundance of Humidity

With a subtropical climate with plenty of rain, Florida is an exceptionally humid state. That moisture can damage wood that does not have protection by high-quality exterior paint. Wood that absorbs moisture will begin to rot and break down. This is why people first began to coat exterior wooden buildings with paint, stains, and other sealants. Today’s exterior paints contain weather protection components that prevent moisture intrusion into the wood and help sluice off rainwater and other water sources. When your exterior shows signs of chipping, peeling, or other degradation, that protective barrier has been compromised. Moisture is likely getting into the wood and starting the wood-rot process.

With Moisture Comes Mold and Mildew

In addition to causing wood rot, moisture that gets into your home’s wood and other materials usually spurs the growth of mold and mildew. This causes further damage. It also represents a health concern as some molds are hazardous, in particular to those with asthma or allergies. Once mold and mildew get a foothold, it’s difficult to remove and prone to grow and expand within the home. Especially when aided by continuing moisture intrusion.

The easiest way to protect your home from mold and mildew is to ensure the exterior surfaces haved a finish of quality paint. You should always touch up any exterior surfaces that have been exposed due to chipping, peeling, or damage. Consider a new exterior paint job should the paint show excessive deterioration. In general, exterior wood surfaces should be painted at least every seven years. Due to Florida’s humidity, professionals recommend a new paint job every three to five years.

A Professional Exterior Paint Job Will Help Ward Off Insects

Termites and other insects can cause significant damage to your home if they gain entry. Exterior paint helps prevent insects from accessing the underlying surfaces. A professional painter will seal any cracks, gaps, or open spaces around windows and doors where insects might gain access. Much like paint, caulking deteriorates over time, and the best time to reapply caulking is when you paint.

Consult with the Naples, FL Painting Experts at FCI Painting to Protect Your Home

If you want to ensure the best protection for your home in conjunction with a beautiful exterior paint job, consult with the professionals at FCI Painting. FCI Painting has more than 25 years of professional experience painting exteriors in the Naples, Florida, area. For all your painting and related property maintenance needs, contact FCI Painting online or call us at (239) 435-1001.