28 February 2019
A coastal property has to hold up against far harsher elements than its countryside counterparts. The maintenance needed on any home takes on a grittier edge when contending with the warping, fading and corroding effects of the sea air and it’s accompanying storms. We’ve been using paint as a first line of defense against the demands of Perth’s coastal weather for more than 30 years. Here are four ways we’ve found expertly applied paint can help you keep pace with the climate.
Paint protects more than just masonry walls. It also helps you maintain elements that are more often overlooked — like your rafters. These places where materials mix is often also the place that damage like rust or mildew sets in more easily, and paint acts as a sealant for the material itself, but also at the joins. If you’re in charge of a large property with plenty of timber and steel accents, it may be worth your while to engage commercial painters to do the job, especially as there are layers of rust guard and primer you’ll need to apply before the colourful overcoat is needed.
When you’re contending with extreme Australian climate you’ll need more than just the usual paint. Coastal properties have to adhere to stricter building and maintenance codes, and the quality of paint is no exception. A marine grade paint acts as a weather shield against the harsh sun, and salt air that corrodes metalwork in the blink of an eye.
Finishing off with a professionally applied coat of paint will save you the high costs of repairs to walls damaged by mildew, damp and the like. We all know that once they take root, it’s hard to get rid of them. A thorough paint job to new or freshly treated walls gives meaning to the phrase “prevention is better than cure”.
When you’re faced with walls that have existing damage, you’ll need to invest in paint that’s a little more high-tech than your standard high quality offering. For example, a smart way of fixing up a wall with cracks is to apply coats of membrane paint. This exterior paint is thicker, more elastic and more protective than standard ranges. It has the ability to span hairline cracks and works especially well to protect rendered systems.
Ultimately, however, time always takes its toll. After 5-7 years, you’ll have to repaint in order to keep ahead of the maintenance. This is normal, and even so, will still save you a penny spent on the maintenance issues that take root the minute you let your regular painting schedule slide. Speak to us for a free, no obligations consultation to assess exactly what you need to protect your walls, with paint (or even finishes like polished plaster!). With more than 40 years in the business, we’ll help you protect your investment.
