Paint and Stain

 
Homeowner Use and Maintenance Guidelines

Due to changes in the formula for paint (such as the elimination of lead to make paints safer), painted surfaces must be washed gently using mild soap and as little water as possible. Avoid abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, or scrub brushes. Flat paints show washing marks more easily than gloss paints do. Often, homeowners prefer the results obtained by touching up rather than washing.

 
Colors

Your "who to call" list in the pocket of your folder is your record of the paint used in your home.

 
Exterior

Regular attention will preserve the beauty and value of your home. Check the painted and stained surfaces of your home's exterior annually. Repaint before much chipping or wearing away of the original finish occurs; this will save the cost of extensive surface preparation. Plan on refinishing the exterior surface of your home approximately every two to three years or as often as your paint manufacturer suggests for your area and climate. Climatic conditions control the chemical structure of the paint used on the exterior. Over time, this finish will fade and dull a bit.

In many cases we have used exterior trim materials made of plastic. These products require only one coat of paint. Occasionally you will need to repaint this trim as the color fades in the sunlight.

Be sure to check the exterior caulk frequently even during your warranty period. Sun, wind, and exposure can dry out the caulking, causing it to split. Your home is especially susceptible to the elements during the first couple of years when the materials are expanding and contracting. If a breach in the caulking occurs, water can get in, causing leaks that may undermine the integrity of unseen wood products behind the trim and siding. As a homeowner you are responsible for maintaining the caulk and for any damage resulting from inadequate maintenance. Use a good quality acrylic latex or silicone caulk.

When you repaint the exterior of your home, begin by resetting popped nails and removing blistered or peeling portions of paint with a wire brush or putty knife. Sand, spot with primer, and then paint the entire area. Use a quality exterior paint formulated for local climate conditions.

Avoid having sprinklers spray water on the exterior walls of your home. This will cause blistering, peeling, splintering, and other damage to the home.

 
Severe Weather

Hail and wind can cause a great deal of damage in a severe storm, so inspect the house after such weather. Promptly report damage caused by severe weather to your insurance company.

 
Stain

For minor interior stain touch-ups, a furniture-polish-and-stain treatment is inexpensive, easy to use, and will blend in with the wood grain. Follow directions on the bottle.

 
Touch-Up

When doing paint touch-ups, use a small brush, applying paint only to the damaged spot. Touch-up paint may not match the surrounding area exactly, even if the same paint mix is used. When it is time to repaint a room, prepare the wall surfaces first by cleaning with a mild soap and water mixture or a reliable cleaning product.

We provide a sample of each type of paint used on your home. Store these with the lids tightly in place and in a location where they are not subjected to extreme temperatures.

 
Wall Cracks

We suggest that you wait until after the first heating season to repair drywall cracks or other separations due to shrinkage.

See also Drywall.

 
GOODIER BUILDERS Limited Warranty Guidelines

During your orientation we will confirm that all painted or stained surfaces are in acceptable condition. GOODIER BUILDERS will touch up paint as indicated on the orientation list. You are responsible for all subsequent touch-up, except painting we perform as part of another warranty repair.

 
Cracking

As it ages, exterior wood trim will develop minor cracks and raised grain. Much of this will occur during the first year. Raised grain permits moisture to get under the paint and can result in peeling. This is not a defect in materials or workmanship. Paint maintenance of wood trim is your responsibility.

 
Fading

Expect fading of exterior paint or stain due to the effects of sun and weather. GOODIER BUILDERS limited warranty excludes this occurrence.

 
Touch-Up Visible

Paint touch-up is visible under certain lighting conditions.

 
Wood Grain

Due to wood characteristics, color variations will result when stain is applied to wood. This is natural and requires no repair. Today's water-base paints often make wood grain visible on painted trim. GOODIER BUILDERS does not provide corrections for this condition.