3 Signs You’re Due for an Exterior Repaint

Imperial Painting

October 16th, 2025

Fall is here—have you repainted your exterior? Learn more about when to consider an exterior repaint.

Exterior Painting

Historic house facade with a unique timber design and crest, showcasing architectural craftsmanship and detail.

Homeowners—as cold temperatures prepare to dominate Michigan, you only have a limited amount of time to repaint your siding.

Getting a repaint in before winter comes is critical because paint helps provide extra protection against rain and slush, the sun, and temperature fluctuations.

If it’s been a while since you’ve repainted your siding or you’re not sure when your siding was painted, it’s a good idea to schedule an inspection, especially if you’ve noticed the following signs:

#1 Peeling or Flaking

Cracked and peeling paint on a home's exterior

Peeling paint is most commonly caused by moisture issues resulting from failed caulking, leaks, humidity, and other factors. Water is getting behind the paint and causing it to peel or flake away. In these situations, the only remedy is to remove the damaged paint and repaint. The best way to prevent peeling or flaking is to hire a professional, as a wide array of factors, ranging from the environment to the painting technique to the paint used, can result in premature failure.

#2 Fading or Stains

In the winter, the sun is angled lower in the sky. That, combined with the bare, leafless trees, means that sunshine is hitting your siding more often in the winter, ironically, than in the summer, potentially resulting in more fading. Other factors, like algae or moss buildup on the siding from the earlier seasons, can also contribute to discoloration. We usually recommend cleaning the siding (especially for stains), removing any damaged paint, and then repainting.

#3 Blistering

Moisture and sun, along with improper painting techniques, can cause paint to blister (or bubble), eventually leading to the paint falling off. Rapid temperature changes, in particular, cause blistering, and this time of the year, temperature fluctuations aren’t unusual. Michiganders rise to cool, crisp mornings (40 to 52 degrees) and are then bombarded with heat when the afternoons swell up to 75 degrees. These temperature changes don’t just take a toll on you, but also on your siding, which will expand and contract with the temperature. A fresh coat (or coats) of paint will help mitigate this natural response to temperature changes.

Tips for Repainting Your Exterior

Paint in Optimal Conditions: We don’t recommend painting your exterior in temperatures below or near freezing because the paint may freeze or dry too slowly. Likewise, low humidity conditions common in the winter will cause the paint to dry too fast, potentially leading to cracking.
Be Thorough: The most common issue we’ve seen on DIY jobs is failure to address existing issues, whether that’s repairing rotted or damaged wood or removing old paint. If you want the paint job to look good, you have to put in the work. If you don’t have time to dedicate to surface preparation, including making those repairs, cleaning the surface, and removing old paint, hire a professional.
Don’t Wait: As soon as you notice issues, contact a professional. Peeling, flaking, discoloration, and blistering won’t go away. In some cases, discoloration can be resolved with surface cleaning, but in most cases, damaged paint is going to stay damaged. Address the issue before it worsens. Blistering or peeling paint caused by water intrusion could eventually lead to mold growth and wood rot.
Work With a Professional: At some point in our lives, we’ve had to paint, so it’s natural to assume that it’s easy. Exterior painting is an entirely different beast when compared to interior painting. Interior painting still has its challenges, but when painting exteriors, you have to contend with unpredictable weather, surface type and condition, safety risks, and more.

Refresh Your Home’s Exterior Today

Autumn is finally here, so now is the time to assess your home. If you’ve noticed any of the signs we’ve discussed in this article, call Imperial Painting today at (586) 209-2279 or contact us online to request a free quote. We proudly provide home painting services, including exterior and interior, across Shelby Township, MI, and surrounding areas. When you partner with us, we can guarantee quality, transparency, and exceptional support.