Can You Paint Home Exteriors In Rainy Weather

Your guide to dos and dont’s for house exterior painting in wet seasons. 

Exterior painting of a building or bungalow is dependent on the weather conditions. Temperature changes, humidity and rains can impact the final look of the paint work. So, if you’re wondering if taking up an exterior painting job in the rainy season is a good idea, here’s everything you need to know:

Avoid rainy days

Wet surfaces and rainy days are not ideal painting conditions. Rains and winds will wash wet paint off the surface and the paint won’t be able to adhere on a wet surface. And if the paint does not get enough time to dry before it starts raining, it is likely to wash away. The best way to avoid any of these disasters is to be sure to avoid rainy days when painting home exteriors. If the weather forecast predicts rain for the next few days, plan it for another time.

Use long lasting paints

If you live in a coastal area or some place that sees heavy rainfall, weather-proof paints like WeatherCoat Long Life 10, is a worthwhile investment. Although the paint might take the same amount of time to dry, it will ensure that the exterior walls stay protected from heavy rains and the paint does not fade or lose luster over time.

How long does the paint need to dry before it rains

You will need a minimum of 8-12 hours (depending on the humidity in the air, dew point, paint colour and type used, and number of paint coats) for the exterior emulsion paint to dry. The paint might feel dry to touch after a few hours but it is still likely to wash away. After 4-6 hours, light rain will not entirely ruin your freshly painted walls but it might still need some repainting when it is dry. To avoid this, aim for five days of normal, not-rainy weather. Pay close attention to the forecast and consult professionals to choose the best time for exterior home painting.

How long should you wait to paint after rains

This depends on how wet the surface is. If the surface is dry to touch, you should be able to carry out painting. However, even if flat surfaces have dried, other areas might not have, such as: surfaces hidden from the sun, trims and moulding, hairline cracks and nail holes. It is best to speak to painting professionals who have the required expertise and tools to deal with these situations.

Tip: Berger Express Painting experts use Homeshield Moisture Meter, a device that tells you the content of moisture levels in the walls. This way, you can find out if the walls are really dry. This can also help understand if there is a chance of water seepage or leakage issues that will require further inspection and treatment. 

Painting in the rain checklist

• The surface is not wet currently
• The surface has not been wet recently
• Waterproofing work is thoroughly carried out
• Hire professionals who have the necessary tools and gear to avoid any falls or accidents
• Outside temperature is higher than 25 degrees Celsius (or else the paint will start curing)
• The weather forecast predicts no rains for the next 5-7 days

Conclusion

Rain does not mean you can’t carry out exterior painting. Especially in India, wherein the rainy season is quickly followed by the festive and wedding season, it might not be feasible to push or stop paint work. The best thing you can do is watch the weather forecast and plan accordingly. And remember that even if things don’t go according to plan, there is always a fix. Weather can be unpredictable, so there is no fool proof way to completely avoid rains during the monsoon season. But if you have done your due diligence and hired a reputed painting contractor from Berger Express Painting, then trust your painter to take care of all weather related problems.