Spring Exterior Repairs: What We Can Fix Before Painting

April is here, and in Colorado that means it’s finally time to kick off exterior painting season! At LoCOl Paint, we start getting a lot of calls this time of year from homeowners wondering what types of repairs we can help with before we paint. It’s a great question — and the truth is, the prep work we do ahead of painting is just as important as the painting itself.

Taking care of minor damage and making sure your exterior is ready helps your new paint job last longer, look better, and hold up to Colorado’s wild weather. Let’s break down the most common repairs we handle during exterior projects.

First off, if your siding or trim has any signs of rot, we can replace it. Rotten boards just aren’t worth saving — they’ll continue to deteriorate underneath the paint if you don’t swap them out. We’ll remove any damaged boards and replace them with new material that matches the existing look of your home, so everything blends in perfectly.

If the siding or trim is only mildly damaged — things like little cracks, dents, or weather-worn spots — we’ll prime and paint it instead of replacing it. Priming is really important here because it seals the surface, protects against future damage, and helps the new paint stick properly.

Now, if you have stucco on your home, we handle that a little differently. We don’t go around filling every tiny hairline crack one by one. Instead, we use Sherwin-Williams Loxon XP, which is a really good masonry paint designed specifically for stucco. It actually helps fill and bridge small cracks while protecting your walls from moisture and weather.

If there are bigger spots where the stucco is damaged or missing, we’ll patch those before painting to make sure the surface is nice and solid. If you’re someone who wants every single little crack totally invisible (some people do!), the best option is to have a stucco company come out and skim coat the whole wall. That gives you a brand-new, super smooth finish before we paint.

Aside from siding, trim, and stucco repairs, we also handle a bunch of smaller prep tasks that make a big difference in the final look. We always inspect the caulking around windows, doors, and trim. If the old caulking is cracked or missing, we’ll replace it. Fresh caulking doesn’t just look better — it also keeps water out and protects your home over time.

We’ll also take care of any popped nails or missing screws we find in your siding and trim. We’ll reset or replace them and patch over the spots so everything looks smooth once it’s painted.

Before we even think about painting, we always power wash the exterior to get rid of dirt, mildew, and loose paint. A clean surface is key to helping the new paint stick properly and last longer.

And while we’re at it, if your gutters and downspouts are looking a little worn out or faded, we can paint or touch them up too. It’s one of those small things that makes a big difference when you’re freshening up your whole exterior.

At LoCOl Paint, we believe great painting starts with great prep. We don’t cut corners when it comes to getting your home ready because we want your paint job to look awesome and hold up for as many years as possible. Whether it’s replacing rotten wood, patching stucco, freshening up caulking, or just making sure everything is clean and ready, we’ve got you covered.

If you’re thinking about giving your exterior a fresh new look this spring, give us a call at 719-321-5082. We’d be happy to come take a look and give you a free estimate!