Seasonal Guide
Seasonal Guide
Spring Exterior Paint Checklist for Shuswap Homeowners
Spring is the best time to assess your home's exterior. Here's what to look for, what can wait, and what needs to be done before the hot weather hits.
Why Spring Is the Right Time
In the Shuswap, the window for exterior painting runs roughly May through September — once nighttime temperatures are consistently above 10°C and before the fall rains arrive. But the prep work starts in spring, before the busy season hits.
Do this walk-around in March or April, when the snow is gone and you can see what the winter left behind.
What to Inspect
Siding and trim
- Look for peeling, cracking, or bubbling paint — these are signs of moisture getting behind the film
- Check for bare wood where paint has worn through completely
- Look for gaps in caulking around windows, doors, and trim joints
- Check for any soft or punky wood — press a screwdriver into suspect areas
Decks and fences
- Check for grey, weathered wood — a sign the finish has worn off
- Look for peeling or flaking stain
- Check for soft spots or rot, especially at post bases and ledger boards
- Test the moisture content if you're planning to restain (needs to be below 15%)
Fascia and soffits
- Often overlooked, but critical — water damage here can mean rot in the roof structure
- Look for staining, peeling, or soft spots
What Can Wait vs. What Can't
Do it this season
- Any bare wood — unprotected wood deteriorates fast in UV and moisture
- Peeling paint over large areas — water is getting in
- Failed caulking around windows and doors
- Soft or damaged wood (repair before painting)
Can wait one more season
- Fading or chalking paint that's still intact and adhered
- Minor scuffs and scratches in low-visibility areas
- Colour you're tired of but that's still protecting the wood
Timing Your Project
For most exterior projects in the Shuswap, May through July is ideal. The wood is dry, temperatures are right, and you have time for multiple coats to cure before fall. Avoid painting in direct sun — it dries the paint too fast and causes lap marks. Early morning or overcast days are best.
If you're hiring a contractor, book early. Good painters in this area fill up fast once the season starts.
Before You Buy Paint
Come in and talk to us before you commit to a product. Tell us what you're painting, what's on it now, and what condition it's in. We'll recommend the right primer, the right topcoat, and the right prep products for your specific situation. That conversation is free and it'll save you from buying the wrong thing.
We're at 885 Lakeshore Dr SW, Salmon Arm. Open weekdays 7am–5pm, Saturdays 9am–5pm.
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Questions about your project?
Come in or call. We'll give you a straight answer — no pressure, no upsell.
885 Lakeshore Dr SW, Salmon Arm · Mon–Fri 7am–5pm · Sat 9am–5pm
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