Flaking paint might be a sign that your entire home needs another coat of exterior-grade house paint, or only a small portion of the building might need attention. Most paint jobs, if properly applied, are good for 5 to 6 years at least, depending on where you live. Flaking can be a signal that the last paint job was incorrectly applied or that there is an underlying problem: roof runoff or a problem caused by the microclimate of the building (e.g., heavy moisture under the eaves) are just two examples.
Instructions
1. Remove the paint flakes by spraying the area with a high-powered nozzle attached to the end of a garden hose. Take off as much loose paint as you can.
2. Let the wall dry and scrape the area with a paint scraper. Take off as much paint as you can. Work away from the original spot of flaking in all directions to remove all loose paint.
3. Go over the scraped area with a wire brush to help remove the last bits of paint. Go down to the bare wood if you have to.
4. Sand the area with some medium-grade sandpaper until everything is smooth. You can use an electric sander (or power grinder, in extreme situations) or a hand-held sanding block if the area is small.
5. Use a paintbrush to put a coat of primer-sealer on the bare wood and the old paint. Paint in the morning, after the overnight dew has vanished.
6. Let the primer dry and then apply the top coat of finish-grade exterior house paint with a large paintbrush.
7. Let the first coat dry and add a second coat as needed.
