Coastal Home Maintenance in the San Francisco Bay Area
Exterior Metal Maintenance in the San Francisco Bay Area
Owning a home near the coast here in the San Francisco area is a great privilege, but it comes with certain maintenance. The issue is that those lovely mists and the salty tang actually provide the exact two things that cause rust.
It is important to maintain the metal that is part of your home exterior, such as railings, window hardware, gutters, or furniture. All of these can greatly enhance the beauty and the functionality of your home. They can do this best, however, when they are kept free from rust and corrosion. There are three primary ways to help keep these parts of your home in good repair and looking fresh: cleaning, painting and prevention.
Cleaning exterior metal surfaces
One simple but important way that you can help to keep exterior metal surfaces in good repair is to clean them regularly. In coastal homes in the San Francisco Bay area, salt can collect on these surfaces and cause corrosion. Cleaning regularly with a mild detergent can help to prevent a build up of salt or other corrosive substances. Do not use harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia, as these may damage the paint or finish. Use fresh water to rinse, and try to leave surfaces dry to prevent rust. In the case of outdoor furniture, you can help to keep it clean and protected from salty buildup by covering it when it is not in use.
Painting exterior metal surfaces
Sometimes a simple cleaning is not enough to keep exterior metal looking great. When the paint has become worn or chipped, repainting is the best way to keep the metal from corroding. If there is already rusting or corrosion, those areas will need to be treated before the metal can be painted. In many cases, if you want to match an exact color, you can order paint from the manufacturer. Remember that the metal surfaces need to be sound, clean and dry before paint can be applied.
Rust Prevention
They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is definitely true with exterior metal maintenance! Whenever possible, it is best to take preventative steps to keep your home exterior in good shape. By regularly inspecting all metal work, checking for damaged or worn paint and for corrosion or rust, you can help prevent more significant damage to your house. Treating problems early will prevent them from becoming much bigger problems.
San Francisco Exterior Painting Contractor
MB JESSEE is one of San Francisco's most respected painting contractors. With decades of experience in caring for coastal homes, MB JESSEE can be trusted to give your exterior metal the kind of treatment it needs to keep it looking fresh and classy! Read more about our San Francisco painting services.
