LESLIE: Debbie in Indiana is having some issues with paint and siding. Tell us what’s going on at your money pit.
DEBBIE: Hi. We have an older, two-story home. It was built I think like in 1918 and there is siding on it; aluminum siding. But any time it rains, on the south side of our house the paint is peeling off.
TOM: Over the – only the south side of the aluminum siding?
DEBBIE: Yes.
TOM: Alright, so here’s why that’s happening. On the south side of your house you have the most sun.
DEBBIE: OK.
TOM: More sun, more deterioration, more UV radiation, quicker deterioration of the paint surface. Apparently it’s gotten bad enough where the paint now is delaminated from the siding itself. This condition will continue to get worse over the next several years as the paint gets equally worn out on the other side.
Now the good news is that you can repaint aluminum siding …
DEBBIE: OK.
TOM: … but you do have to strip the oldest stuff off first because you’ve got to have a good base to adhere to. And the single best way to paint that aluminum siding is not with a brush, not with a roller but …
LESLIE: With a sprayer.
TOM: … with a sprayer.
DEBBIE: OK.
TOM: You want to go out and rent a sprayer. You know, when …
LESLIE: And it’s really fun, Debbie. (Debbie chuckles)
TOM: It’s fun but when you use the sprayer you’ve got to do – spend a lot of time on the prep. So don’t forget to mask everything …
DEBBIE: (overlapping voices) OK, and how do you take the paint off then?
TOM: Well, you’re going to want to probably abrade that off. You’re probably going to want to sand it, wire brush it to get all the loose stuff off. You can leave some of it on if it’s well-adhered …
DEBBIE: OK.
TOM: … but if it’s loose that’s what you’ve got to get off.
DEBBIE: OK.
TOM: Remember, you’ve got to mask everything down, including the car and your kids. Alright? (Leslie chuckles) Because otherwise, they’re going to get covered when you whip out that sprayer.
DEBBIE: (chuckling) Oh, right.
LESLIE: And get yourself one of those little pink suits; like get that little white zip-up suit thing at the home center. You’ll be really happy you did.
DEBBIE: OK, great.
TOM: Right, and hang out a little sign that you’re a painter and you’ll get some work from your neighbors.
DEBBIE: (laughing) OK, thank you so much.
TOM: Alright, Debbie. Good luck. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT. 888-666-3974.
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