Interior wall paint can last anywhere from 5-10 years, sometimes even longer. There are many ways to make interior paint last longer, but how will you know when to repaint your commercial building? The answer varies, but a good rule of thumb is to look at your wall. Do you see any cracks or chipped paint? Are you noticing a neutral color will best suit the space instead of the bold one you currently have? Is the paint peeling off? 

When the walls are ready to be repainted, warning signs will let you know it’s time to refresh those interior commercial walls. Read this blog to learn more about the warning signs you need to know and how to get started on a new commercial interior painting project.

Warning Signs on Interior Walls

It’s essential to do regular checks of your commercial building to look for signs of deteriorating paint jobs. Your look and feel are essential when it comes to having a business. There are some very common warning signs when it comes to wall paint. Some can be visible, and others not so much. Just because an issue isn’t visible doesn’t mean it’s unimportant. For the sake of the wall and future damages, fixing the below warning signs is a great place to start. 

Blistering or Bubbling

Have you ever walked by a wall and noticed an air bubble? That’s called blistering, and it happens when the paint starts to pull away from the earlier walls due to the paint losing its adhesions. Blistering and bubbling can happen for many reasons, but in most cases, it happens when the paint is applied to a hot surface. Having bubbles on your wall is a sign that you need a new paint job for the wall’s sake but also because it’s not appealing. 

Cracking

Cracking paint is a warning sign that is very easy to spot, and it happens for many reasons. It is caused by inadequate surface prep, the age of the paint, or extreme cold or heat. Applying your paint too thinly can cause your walls to split over time, but painting with a heavy hand can create mud cracks where the too-thick paint dries with a clump. 

Wall cracks can also just happen when you’ve had paint for a long time. Think of very old buildings and how the walls all have cracks; it’s not the best look, especially for a commercial building. Cracking paint allows for pests or moisture, so if you notice any cracking in your wall, you need to repaint the walls.

Stains

Unless the walls were purposefully stained, it is not a good look. Having people inside your commercial building means that your walls will inevitably get stained over time. These stains can come from many things, from dirty hands touching the wall to residue from candles, pets, heating equipment, or overall lack of cleaning. If you notice a stain on your interior wall, it’s a good time to start looking for a painting contractor for a new paint job. 

Peeling

Another nagging warning sign is the peeling of the walls. Your interior paint can be peeling due to dirty surfaces, lack of adherence, cheap or lousy paint, moisture, water, and more. Peeling or chipping is one of the most obvious signs it’s time to repaint, and it can devalue the look of your building. Whatever you do, don’t continue to peel off the paint. Let us look at your building and quote you for FREE!

Damaged Walls

If there are any other damages to your wall, like chips, cracks, holes, scuff marks, or missing paint, you need to get a new paint job. Not only does it decrease the aesthetic of your commercial building, but it can also lead to future problems. Damaged walls allow pests and moisture to leak in, which can cause mold.

Fading

When you first had your walls painted, they were vibrant, but now you notice they are fading and dull. That’s a good sign to get a fresh paint job. Paint fading can happen for many reasons, such as light from a bulb, temperature fluctuations, and heat. These all can cause paint’s chemical bond and structure to break down. Fading usually occurs over time, so it can be harder to notice.

Darker paint shades fade faster than light paint, but both eventually fade over time. 

Chalking

Have you ever touched your wall and noticed there is dust-like residue coming from it? That’s called chalking, which can happen to any color wall, but white, lighter-colored, and flat paints are more at risk. 

Your walls can chalk for many reasons, but the main one is the paint slowly disintegrating or containing too much pigment. Chalking is a warning sign you may not be able to see or notice immediately, but when you do, you must start repainting to avoid further damage. 

Mildew or Mold

Mold is caused by humid conditions with a lack of ventilation and can sometimes happen through poorly insulated heating pipes or plumbing leaks. Mildew happens when moisture doesn’t evaporate and eats through paint. This calls for immediate attention and needs to be removed and prepped before repainting. It’s vital that you recognize mold sooner than later because it can lead to potential health problems, as some can be toxic (black mold).

Getting a new paint job doesn’t just have to be because of problematic areas in your walls. Maybe you want to add a new touch of flavor to your Georgia business, and the color already in the building doesn’t fit your new vision. That is more than enough reason to repaint! 

What to do Next?

Now that you’ve picked up on the warning signs, you may ask what to do next. The next step is to determine how bad the damage is. Some paint jobs will just require a fresh new paint job. But for more in-depth damages, there may need to be more done, such as carpentry services or sheetrock repair.  

Process of Repairing Sheetrock

Sheetrock is used in construction to create interior walls. It is quick, easy to install, and very durable. Depending on the condition of your wall, it may be necessary to repair the damages before the walls are primed and painted. For your walls to be paint ready, they must be done correctly. To repair sheetrock, high-quality materials should be used when pitching and spackling, so they look better and last longer. 

At SPPI, we have our own sheetrock repair steps: 

Repair drywall or sheetrock

• Refinish the surface
• Prepare for painting

Carpentry Repairs on the Interior

If your interior walls include rot or mold, you may need carpentry service to replace the rot. Carpenters can either create, fix or install wood both indoors and outdoors. This is a service that can be added to paint jobs. Routine and primary carpentry services for commercial buildings are not offered everywhere, but we are fully licensed and insured and have the expert equipment needed to repair your project. 

After looking at the warning signs, you may have noticed a few already starting in your commercial building. Get ahead of the game to prevent further damage, and Contact us. We offer free estimates for commercial projects, carpentry services, paint jobs, and sheetrock repair.