Exterior House Painting in Columbia, SC

South Carolina is hard on exterior paint. Summer sun fades it, humidity and shade grow mildew on it, and summer storms push water into every gap around windows and trim. A good exterior paint job is about more than color. It's what keeps that water out of your siding and wood. DuVall Painting and Repairs has painted Midlands homes since 1988, and we do the prep work that makes paint last.

Of our 203 Google reviews, 195 are five stars. Call (803) 446-8863 for a free exterior estimate.

Exterior surfaces we paint

Siding: wood, fiber cement (Hardie-type), vinyl that's suitable for painting, and stucco.
Brick: painted brick or brick you'd like painted. We'll talk through the pros and cons first.
Trim, fascia and soffits: where we most often find peeling and rot.
Front doors, garage doors and shutters: quick changes with a big curb-appeal payoff.
Porches, columns, railings and porch ceilings.
Decks and fences. See deck & fence staining.

Common exterior paint problems we fix

Peeling and flaking

Usually caused by moisture getting behind the paint, or by paint that was applied over dirt or chalk. We scrape and sand back to a sound surface, prime bare wood, and caulk the gaps that let water in.

Fading and chalking

Strong sun breaks down paint, especially on south- and west-facing walls. If you rub the siding and your hand comes away white, that's chalking. We wash it off and use a primer and paint made to hold up to UV.

Mildew and algae

Green or black growth on shady walls, under eaves and on north sides is very common under Midlands tree cover. We wash it off before painting and use a mildew-resistant finish.

Blistering

Bubbles in the paint, often from heat or moisture under the film. We find the cause, remove the blisters and prep the area correctly.

Wood rot

Soft wood at door frames, window sills, fascia and the bottoms of trim boards. As DuVall Painting and Repairs, we can replace damaged sections of trim before painting instead of painting over the problem.

Failing caulk

Cracked, shrunken caulk around windows, doors and trim joints lets water in. We cut out the bad caulk and re-caulk with a paintable sealant.

Our exterior painting process

Free estimate and inspection. We walk around the house with you, point out problem areas and give you a written estimate.
Wash. We clean the surfaces to remove dirt, chalk, pollen and mildew.
Scrape and sand. Loose and peeling paint comes off, and the edges get feathered smooth.
Repair. Rotted trim sections are replaced and holes are filled.
Caulk and prime. Gaps get sealed, and bare wood and repairs get primed.
Protect. Windows, walkways, plants, cars and outdoor fixtures are covered.
Paint. We apply finish coats suited to the surface and color.
Walk-through, touch-ups and clean-up.

Paint that's made for this climate

We use Sherwin-Williams exterior paints, because they hold their color and stand up to Midlands sun and humidity. If you'd like a different brand, we'll use it. Work done with the paints we recommend is covered by our 5-year warranty.

We schedule exterior painting around the weather. We avoid painting when rain is coming, on very cold mornings, and on surfaces still wet with dew, because paint applied in bad conditions doesn't bond well.

Choosing exterior colors

Exterior colors look different in bright sun than on a paint chip. We can bring Sherwin-Williams samples and help you pick body, trim and door colors that suit your roof, brick or stone. If you live in a neighborhood with an HOA, check whether colors need approval before we start. Many communities in Lexington, Irmo and Chapin require it.

Getting ready to sell?

Fresh exterior paint, a clean front door and repaired trim are some of the most noticeable improvements a seller can make before listing. We work with homeowners and agents on quick pre-listing touch-ups as well as full repaints.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a house in South Carolina be repainted?

It depends on the surface, the sun exposure and the quality of the last job. Many homes need it every several years, and trim and the sunniest sides sooner. We can look at yours and tell you honestly whether it needs paint now or can wait.

What's the best time of year to paint outside in Columbia?

Spring and fall are ideal, but we paint most of the year whenever temperature, humidity and rain allow.

Can you fix rotted wood before painting?

Yes. We replace damaged trim, fascia and sill sections as part of the job.

What paint do you use?

Sherwin-Williams exterior paints, or another brand on request. The 5-year warranty applies with the paints we recommend.

Do you paint brick?

Yes. We'll talk with you first, because painted brick needs repainting over time.

Do I need to be home?

No. For most exterior work we only need access to water and power, and to have pets inside.

Get a free exterior painting estimate

Call (803) 446-8863 (Mon–Sat, 8 AM–5 PM) or email duvallpaintingandrepairs@gmail.com. We serve Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, Chapin and nearby communities.

Get in touch