Wash first, always
Pollen, mildew, chalk and dirt all prevent adhesion. Every exterior we do starts with a thorough wash, and shaded north and east elevations get treated for mildew rather than simply rinsed. A coating applied over an unwashed wall is a coating with a scheduled failure date.
Scrape back to sound material
Anything loose comes off. That means back to a firm edge — not feathered over — and bare spots spot-primed before topcoat. This is slow work and it is the part most often skipped by a low quote.
Seal the routes water uses
Opened caulk joints around windows, doors and trim are where water gets into a wall, and Maryland gives it plenty of chances. Re-caulking is part of a proper exterior scope, not an extra.
We also flag soft trim, damaged fascia and failing sills at the walkthrough. Painting over rot hides it for exactly one season.
Then watch the weather
Surface temperature and dew point decide whether a coat can go on, not the calendar. We plan around them. It occasionally costs a day; it saves a repaint.
Free exterior quotes across Upper Marlboro and Southern Maryland — call (240) 981-4472.