The exterior features of your home, including your deck and siding, are exposed to harsh elements all year round. Untreated wood is bound to rot in wet weather, bleach and crack under the intense summer sun, and freeze over in the winter. Repainting your house or staining your deck in the summer is important to protect these structures from extreme weather events and temperatures. For the best results, and to ensure your safety, follow these tips:

Beat the Heat

It’s not uncommon for summer temperatures to exceed 100 degrees F in many parts of the country. Such heat is not ideal for treating wood because paint and stain have a hard time adhering to surfaces and drying evenly when the temperature is above 85 degrees F. It can also be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous to work outside in extreme heat. Watch the weather and, if possible, choose a day with a forecasted high of 80 degrees F or less before painting or staining outside.

Leverage the Light

Even if the temperature is mild, direct sunlight could prove problematic when painting or staining wood. After all, the sun’s rays can increase the surface temperature up to 15 degrees above the air temperature.

To avoid a splotchy finish, start early in the morning and tackle the shadiest areas first, following the shade as the light moves. Fortunately, the summer sun can be beneficial as well, offering ample light in the afternoon for you to assess your work and make sure you didn’t miss a spot.

Stay Dry

Rain is worse for a freshly painted house than direct sunlight. If you have to pick between the two, opt to paint on a sunny day rather than one with a high chance of rain. Although, the best choice is to delay the job rather than painting or staining in adverse conditions.

Humidity is another factor to consider. Humid conditions affect the way paint and stain adhere to surfaces. If the relative humidity is higher than 50 percent outside, consider waiting for a less muggy day to complete the work.

Don’t Blow Away

The wind is yet another problematic weather condition for painting outside. A mild breeze shouldn’t be a problem. In fact, the air movement can help the paint or stain dry faster. However, high winds can carry debris to the work area. Everything from dirt and leaves to grass clippings and bird feathers will stick to wet paint like glue, forcing you to go back and redo some of your work.

If a natural disaster strikes your area, your home’s siding, deck, roof, windows, doors, and other structural or internal components could be severely damaged. As North America’s largest disaster restoration contracting company, DKI is here to help you recover. Contact us online or call 877-533-0210 today to request storm damage restoration near you.