Commercial Exterior Painting: Top Signs You Need It Now
First impressions form fast, often in milliseconds, so exterior paint condition can decide whether customers walk in. Peeling, chalking, and moisture-driven mold signal coating failure. Consider working with a professional painting company to restore curb appeal.
First impressions matter, and they happen fast. We're not talking seconds, according to the Association for Psychological Science; people can form a first impression in a matter of milliseconds.
For business owners, this is critical.
It means customers decide what they think about your business before they even step inside. If your building is in dire need of exterior paint maintenance, potential customers might never even come inside to see what you have to offer.
Exterior painting services can help boost curb appeal and keep your brand looking sharp. Here are some signs you need a commercial building facelift.
Feeling, or Flaking Paint
It's a dead giveaway that you need to repaint your business exterior if you see signs of the following:
Peeling paint means the coating has lost adhesion and is lifting off the surface in strips or patches.
Flaking paint means the coating is breaking apart into small chips, often where the surface has weathered or was not prepared correctly.
Bubbling paint means moisture or trapped air is pushing the paint film outward, creating raised blisters that can rupture and peel.
All these indicate the paint coating isn't sticking to the surface properly. Usually, you'll notice these signs in the "high stress" areas on the walls. For example:
South-facing walls see stronger UV breakdown.
Other areas that are often exposed to the sun and rain.
Roofline walls and roof edges that collect water and face a lot of wind.
Once the surface of the paint breaks, moisture can get in, spreading behind the affected area. Doing a quick touch-up might look fine initially, but with water trapped under loose paint, it won't last long.
It's best to hire a professional commercial exterior painting company to repaint and seal the section before the hidden damage spreads.
Chalky Residue Visible on the Walls
According to the Modern Paint Damage Atlas, fading or chalky residue on the wall means that the paint is eroding due to weather, and the binding in the paint isn't doing its job anymore.
If you rub the surface with your hand and notice that your hand picks up a dusty powder, it means that UV rays and rain have started to break down the protective film.
This kind of chalking also reduces the adhesion on the wall. So, if you repaint a new coat over the old one, you'll have problems again in the near future.
The proper solution is to wash the wall and remove any loose film meticulously. Then, let these surfaces dry before applying a prime layer and a high-quality top coat.
Mold and Moisture
If you notice any of the following:
Visible water stands
Mildew
Algae growth
It means the exterior wall is retaining moisture long enough for these problems to multiply. Be on the lookout for dark streaks under roof edges or blotchy patches on the walls. In areas that are shaded, you might notice a green film appear but slowly expand. Sometimes these problems are caused by the rain, but they can also be due to overflowing gutters or poorly installed dam spouts.
Mold and algae can also be caused by shaded areas that aren't able to dry quickly enough after the rain. Persistent moisture mold can degrade wood and paint and cause rust on metal components.
Painting over mildew might look fine, but it's still alive under the paint, and it can bleed through. Eventually, it's growing on the surface again.
The right approach is to address the water source first and then fully clean the wall before applying a new coat of paint.
Customer Feedback
You might not notice signs of degradation directly; in some cases, it will be your customers. It points out the problem when you get reports from customers that there are cracks or moisture marks on your outer walls. You should take notice.
When you see the exterior of your business daily, you don't always notice the slur, but customers have a more objective perspective. So, it's worth taking your complaints seriously. You should also take notice of customers who think your branding looks faded, mismatched, or inconsistent. This can seriously harm your curb appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Other Consequences Stem From Neglected Paintwork?
A neglected exterior can cause more problems than just handling unworked potential customers. It can also invite closer examination from inspectors and lenders.
First impressions matter for everyone, whether they're customers or bureaucrats, and if an inspector's first impression of your commercial property is that it looks run down outside, they're likely to look for problems more closely on the inside as well.
You should address paint issues before the unkempt appearance causes further issues.
What is Preventive Maintenance?
With commercial painting, it makes sense to address problems as soon as you notice them. According to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, preventive maintenance means dealing with small problems, preventing them from becoming big ones.
In other words, you're spending less on maintenance instead of paying for a full repaint by acting when you notice signs of moisture, cracking, or chalking.
You should consult with a commercial painting professional who can address the problem in the other stages, potentially saving you time, money, and lost customers in the future.
Looking for Commercial Exterior Painting Expertise?
As you can see, commercial exterior painting is a crucial part of running a successful business because it's key to making a great first impression. If you notice signs of wear on the exterior, it might be time to consult a professional painting company.
Here at Mecklenburg Paint Company, we bring more than three decades of experience to every project. Don't worry about disruptions to your business while we work because we specialize in completing projects with minimal disruption to daily operations.
If you need a business building repaint or if you need some concerning signs checked out, contact us today.