Exterior Surfaces: The Timeline
Timber weatherboards in Wellington should be repainted every 7–10 years with premium paint, or 5–7 years with mid-range products. Look for early warning signs: chalking (powdery residue when rubbing the surface), peeling at edges and joints, or colour fading on north-facing walls.
Roof paint has a shorter lifespan — typically 5–8 years for metal roofs and 8–12 years for concrete tiles. Wellington's wind drives debris and salt, accelerating wear on roof coatings. Discolouration, rust spots on metal, or moss growth indicate it's time.
Fascia boards, soffits, and eaves are often overlooked. These areas collect moisture and are prone to rot. Inspect them every 2–3 years and touch up as needed. We include these in our exterior maintenance assessments.
Concrete and stucco exteriors last longer — 10–15 years between full repaints. However, hairline cracks should be sealed every 3–5 years to prevent water ingress, which causes the plaster to blow and delaminate.
Interior Surfaces: When to Refresh
Living rooms and bedrooms typically need repainting every 7–10 years, assuming standard family wear. Hallways and staircases see more traffic and may need attention every 5–7 years. Look for scuff marks, handprints near light switches, and dulling of the finish.
Kitchens and bathrooms have the shortest cycles — 4–6 years. Steam, grease, and frequent cleaning break down paint films faster. If you notice mould spots, blistering near sinks, or difficulty cleaning walls, it's time.
Ceilings last 10–15 years unless there are specific issues. Water stains from roof leaks, yellowing from tobacco smoke or cooking, or cracking in plasterboard joints all indicate ceiling repainting is needed. Flat ceiling paint can't be cleaned, so once it's stained, repainting is the only fix.
Skirting boards, architraves, and window frames get kicked, bumped, and handled daily. These often need touch-up painting every 2–4 years. We offer annual maintenance packages that include minor touch-ups before they become major jobs.
Signs It's Time to Repaint
Beyond the calendar, watch for these specific indicators. Peeling or blistering paint indicates moisture problems, poor original adhesion, or paint incompatibility. Don't just repaint over it — the underlying issue must be resolved first.
Fading is obvious on sunny walls, but even shaded areas fade subtly over time. Compare a weather-protected area (under eaves) to exposed walls. If there's a noticeable difference, UV degradation has occurred and protection is diminishing.
Cracking or alligatoring (a pattern of small cracks) suggests the paint film has lost flexibility. This happens as paint ages and oxidises, or when paint was applied too thickly. Sanding back and recoating is necessary.
Mould or mildew growth, particularly on north-facing walls or shaded areas, means the paint's biocidal protection has depleted. Clean with a mould-killing solution, then repaint with mould-resistant paint.
Chalking — when the surface leaves a powdery residue on your hand — is normal paint ageing. Light chalking is fine, but heavy chalking means the paint film is breaking down and re-coating won't adhere properly without thorough cleaning.
Planning Your Repaint Schedule
The most cost-effective approach is staggered maintenance rather than waiting for everything to fail simultaneously. We recommend a 3-year inspection cycle where we assess all painted surfaces and create a priority plan.
Address the worst areas first — typically the weather-exposed walls, roof, and any moisture-damaged sections. This prevents structural damage that would make later repainting far more expensive.
For Wellington homeowners, align exterior work with favourable weather windows. Book your painter in winter for a September–November start. Good painters are often booked 2–3 months ahead.
Consider bundling interior and exterior work. While the crew is set up, tackling a few interior rooms adds efficiency and may qualify for package pricing. We offer 10% discounts on combined interior/exterior projects.