Hey there, I’ve got a bit of a situation on my hands with my house and I could really use some advice. So, our place is mostly stucco, but there are some wood siding and trim areas that need attention. The house is pretty old, built back in the late 1950s, and I’m not exactly sure when the last paint job was done. The blue paint you see now is the most recent layer, and there’s an older red coat underneath. So, we called in some painters to spruce up the wood sections, and they initially said it was a simple job of sanding, prepping, and painting.
But here’s the kicker – once they started sanding, they suddenly hit the brakes and dropped a bombshell on me. They claimed that all the wood boards were so rotted that they needed to be replaced. Now, I’m not one to jump to conclusions or accuse anyone of trying to pull a fast one on me. I get that sometimes issues can pop up during the process that weren’t visible at first. But I can’t help but wonder if this is a normal hiccup or if I should be seeking a second opinion.
I’ve got a few burning questions on my mind: Do you think from the photos that the siding is really suffering from widespread wood rot, or is it more of a severe case of paint deterioration? How can one differentiate between a genuine need for replacement versus just a good scraping, fixing, priming, and repainting job? If you were in my shoes as the painter, what checks would you run before suggesting swapping out every single board? And lastly, would you play it safe and seek out another expert’s view before giving the green light for replacements?
Just to paint a clearer picture for you – before the sanding began, the siding felt pretty solid to the touch. I didn’t notice any soft spots, holes, or clear signs of decay, but then again, I’m no expert in the field. So, any insights or advice you could throw my way would be much appreciated. Thanks a bunch in advance!