| OAKS, PA -- (PRNewswire) In like a lion, out like a lamb. Seasons wreak havoc on a home's exterior. In fact, Americans spend over $4.8 billion annually on maintenance services. The coming months are the ideal time for homeowners to plan the repainting of their homes. "For many people, their home is their largest investment," says Charles Chase, president of CertaPro Painters, one of the nation's largest and only national painting companies. "It's therefore vital to stay abreast of its maintenance, including repainting." Chase lists these telltale signs of when to paint your home: -- Chalking: The formation of a fine powder on paint surfaces occurs after long-time weathering. Chalking may also occur if poor quality paint was used, over-thinned or was spread too thin or not primed and sealed. Left unchecked, chalking causes color fading. -- Scaling or Cracking: Paint begins to split, giving way to severe cracks. Cracking can be caused by over thinning; poor surface preparation; painting under cool or windy conditions; or, in multiple layers of old paint. The only remedy is complete removal. -- Flaking: If cracking is left unchecked, paint chips are loosened and peel off. -- "Alligatoring": Long-term cracking results in deep fissures akin to alligator skin. Complete removal is the only treatment. -- Lead Threats: Today, with almost 50% of the U.S. housing stock at least 35 years old, many homeowners wish to address the threat of lead poisoning since a government ban in 1978. Peeling lead-based paint needs immediate removal. Complete removal is the only remedy. -- Discoloration: Discoloration often appears when shrubs, vines, or trellises are removed. -- Loose caulking: Around window and door panes, this can give rise to rotting and further disrepair. For more information, see http://www.gocerta.com | 
