Peeling Paint

I am away from home again, and again on an old Army post. I don't like being away from home, but this time I've noticed that I'm in a living laboratory of sorts. I'm again in a place with WW 2 era barracks, much of which it would seem, has remained untouched since that time. So I can see with my very own eyes, what happens when buildings are left to the effects of weather.

We don't think about it so much, but the main function of our homes is to protect us from the elements, and the main function of the exterior finish of the home is to protect the structure from the elements. Yeah, I know you thought THOUGHT the main function of your home was to be some form of self-expression, or a way to show the world that you are "keeping up with the Jones's," or better yet, "BETTER than the Jones's." And sure, those are very important sSECONDARY functions of our homes, but not their most important role. At least for most of us-I guess for some that "secondary" function could become primary.

Anyway, it's a never-ending battle with the elements, regardless of what climate you're in. And every finish is perishable, so if you leave it too long, it will fail. A good slate roof can last up to 150 years- as long as the occasional loose tile is dealt with quickly-- that's pretty exciting! Your typical shingle roof will last ten to twenty years, depending on the climate, the quality of the materials, the quality of the installation, and what hurricanes is has to survive through. While I've never heard the figures from the experts on brick, from what I've seen, I'd say a well-done brick wall should be able to last fifty to a hundred years before the mortar needs to be repaired. Vinyl siding claims twenty to thirty years, and paint claims five to twenty (though my house, newly repainted a year before I bought it, was already starting to bubble and peel by the time I moved in).

The point is, everything needs maintenance, some sooner, some later. When I was in the Navy, it was a common sight to see sailors scraping and painting the ship, pretty much all the time. But you NEVER saw rust setting in on a Navy ship. But we would often see other ships in passing or in port. In the salt sea air, rust pops up quickly, and you'd see it on other ships all the time, as they had fewer sailors to take care of the ship on a regular basis. And their ships were visibly deteriorating, just like these barracks with little care over the years, because they didn't invest the TIME to take proper care of it.

Take care of it BEFORE it falls apart, and it will take care of you-that's true for your house's paint, roof, and plumbing, all the same (and JUST as true for your marriage or other relationships!). A little TLC goes a long way, and not just when it comes time to sign the contract, but throughout the life of the home (OR marriage, or whatever!).

Taking care of what's important-

Jim