Exterior maintenance often includes painting to help increase curb appeal, reinforce your brand, and stay on top of on-going building maintenance. This time of year often offers the right combination of dry conditions, lower humidity, and moderate temperatures, making it a great time to take care of your building’s exterior painting needs.

However, maintenance managers should consider certain factors to ensure that the job gets done properly and reduces future maintenance.

• Start with a fresh canvas, free of any damage caused throughout the winter. That means chipping away, stripping, or power washing any old, peeling paint to provide a clean surface for your new paint. Winter
• This is a good time of year to paint outside because when it gets too hot, paint can blister or crack, and when the weather is too cool, the paint may not cure and adhere to the surface. Choose a day where there is no rain in the forecast for the next 24 hours, and avoid painting directly in the sun, following it throughout the day for best results.
• Wear the appropriate PPE, including boots for ladder safety, goggles, and a mask to help protect against inhaling fumes. Check on regulations for your area to ensure that your teams are safe and compliant.
• Use premium paint designed for your climate, with better UV resistance, the flexibility to handle thermal movement, and better moisture resistance than economy-grade products. You want the paint to stay in great shape for as long as possible, so choosing the appropriate materials is critical.
• You might think that applying one thick coat will save you time, but applying two thinner coats and following manufacturer guidelines will allow the appropriate dry times for the best application and longevity.
• If you are covering up graffiti, ensure that you research the proper removal practices for the appropriate surface. Concrete, brick, wood, and glass all have specific products and methods that are required to clean the surface without causing damage to the surface.
• As the seasons change, schedule annual exterior building assessments to identify blisters, peeling, scratches, or worn coatings that will need addressing and can allow moisture to enter into the building. This will allow you to be able to better plan and budget for upcoming exterior maintenance ad keep your building looking its best.
• Similarly, practice regular maintenance to keep your paint job in good condition and avoid a build up of dirt, environmental dust, pollen, and mildew, and to keep maintenance minimal throughout the year.
• If you have building tenants, schedule your work strategically. Scheduling outdoor maintenance like painting before peak summer season or when you are expecting increased traffic to limit the daily disruption and inconvenience for your tenants.
• Keep leftover paint to address touch-ups or have the colour to refer to when you need it next. Store remaining paint in a dry place out of direct sunlight, with the lid on to keep it fresh and usable.

Take advantage of the nicer weather and lower humidity to add exterior painting to your spring and summer maintenance plans to improve your curb appeal and keep your building looking its best this season.