If you own or manage a commercial building, you know how important maintenance is. Keeping up on the necessary maintenance both inside and outside is essential if you want to avoid repairs and increase the value of the building. When it comes to the exterior of a commercial building, repainting is a maintenance task that needs to be done every few years. While high-quality exterior paint is designed to be durable and withstand the elements, it does not last forever. Some common signs that it is time to repaint the exterior of a commercial building include the following.

Blistering

It is a good idea to do a visual inspection of your commercial building on a regular basis. Take the time to closely look at the paint--if you see that there are areas where the paint has started blistering, it typically indicates a problem. Blistering paint often means that there is moisture trapped in between the paint and the surface of the building, so the paint is no longer properly adhered. If you see blistering paint, your best option is to hire a commercial painting contractor to properly prep the surface of the building and then repaint.

Cracking

As paint ages and dries out, it can begin cracking. Once an area of paint begins cracking, the cracks will typically spread and eventually begin peeling off. When there are numerous cracks in the paint, the surface of the building is left unprotected, which can then lead to wood rot, the corrosion of metal components, and pest infestations. If you want to avoid damage to the building, it is a good idea to make arrangements to have the building repainted as soon as you notice cracks. Once paint begins peeling off in large sections, the building is at an even higher risk of damage.

Staining

It is not uncommon for the exterior of a painted commercial building to get dirty. In most cases, having the building professionally pressure washed can solve the problem and leave the building looking as good as new. However, staining can be an issue, and if you still have areas of staining on the paint even after having the building pressure washed, you should take action. Once deep stains penetrate the paint on a building, there is not much that you can do. No one wants to own a dirty, stained building--repainting will give the building a fresh new look. 

To learn more, contact commercial painting contractors.