What to Do When Exterior Paint Starts Flaking Off Your Walls

Jade Erhart | Posted on June 29, 2025 |

Seeing your home’s exterior paint start to flake off can be frustrating. One minute your house looks clean and fresh, and the next, you’re spotting peeling patches that make everything feel worn and neglected. This kind of paint trouble doesn’t just ruin your home’s appearance. It can also leave surfaces underneath exposed to moisture, mold, and more long-term problems. Especially during a Minneapolis summer, when storms and humidity come in waves, damaged paint doesn’t stand much of a chance if it’s not handled quickly.

Ignoring flaking paint isn’t a good idea. It tends to get worse over time. What starts as a small issue on one side of the house can grow quickly, and by the time fall rolls around, you might be dealing with more damage than expected. The good news is that catching the problem early and knowing what you’re looking at helps you act faster. The first step is understanding how and why the paint fails in the first place.

Identify The Causes Of Flaking Paint

There’s usually more than one reason exterior paint doesn’t hold up, especially in areas like Minneapolis where climate changes can hit hard. When paint starts to flake, it’s often tied to what happens before or right after the paint is applied. Here are some of the more common reasons your paint may be lifting off the walls:

Poor surface prep: If the surface wasn’t cleaned properly before the paint went on, the paint probably never stuck well to begin with.
Low-quality paint: Cheaper paints break down faster, especially when exposed to moisture or UV rays.
Harsh weather conditions: Minneapolis gets cold winters, rainy springs, and hot summers. That back-and-forth can break paint down fast.
Painting over damp surfaces: If moisture is trapped under the paint layers, it causes the coating to loosen and peel.
Improper drying time: If new paint isn’t given enough time to dry between coats, it can trap moisture or air, which interferes with how well it cures.
Structural moisture: Leaky gutters or damp wood can allow water to creep in behind the paint, breaking its bond to the surface.

One homeowner in South Minneapolis noticed paint peeling near the foundation and assumed it was just from age. It turned out their downspout wasn’t draining properly, soaking the siding every time it rained. Once that was fixed, the paint could finally stick without being under constant attack from water.

Knowing where the issue started helps avoid repeating the same problem after repainting. Whether that’s upgrading materials, fixing moisture problems, or giving paint the right time to cure, tackling the root cause makes all the difference.

Assessing The Damage

Before any repairs happen, it’s key to look at how much of your home is affected. Catching areas early can save you both time and stress by stopping a minor problem from becoming a bigger one.

Start with a slow walk around your house. Take note of anywhere the paint looks cracked, bubbled, or is actually falling off. You’ll usually find trouble spots around:

Lower edges of siding
Windows and doors
Trim and corners
Near gutters and rooflines where water collects or runs down

If you’re not sure how serious it is, try gently pressing on a bubbled area. If flakes come off easily and the surface underneath feels damp or soft, you may have moisture issues in the wall or structure.

Some helpful tools homeowners can use include:

A flashlight for shaded areas
A paint scraper to test loose spots
A flathead screwdriver to lightly check the wood underneath

Don’t forget to look for stains or dark streaks, especially under windows or near drainpipes. These can be signs of underlying water problems that need repair before painting starts again.

Sometimes the damage is small, just a few sections that need attention. Other times, whole walls may need to be redone. Taking the time to check everything carefully gives you a clear picture of the scope and what comes next. Once you understand what you’re dealing with, the next step is figuring out how to prep the home properly before recoating. That’s where real restoration happens.

Steps To Fix Flaking Exterior Paint

Once you’ve figured out the cause and checked how widespread the paint flaking is, it’s time to start the repair process. Skipping steps or rushing through can lead to the same results all over again. Repainting a flaking exterior takes attention to detail and the right process from start to finish.

Start with surface prep. This means clearing off dirt, mildew, and loose debris. A soft wash or pressure wash on a low setting usually gets the job done. Just make sure the surface is completely dry before moving to the next step. If moisture is still in the wood or siding, even the best paint won’t stick like it should.

Next, remove loose or peeling paint. Use a paint scraper or wire brush to carefully clear away any areas that aren’t solid. Chipping off paint that’s already separating helps create a clean base. Don’t leave flaking spots behind. Even if they seem small, they’ll keep peeling after the new paint goes on.

After the old paint is removed, sanding helps smooth things out. Use medium to fine grit sandpaper to even out edges and rough patches. This helps your primer and new coat go on more smoothly and bond better to the surface.

Then comes a good primer. Using a high-quality bonding primer helps seal the surface and gives your topcoat something solid to hang onto. Make sure the primer fits the surface type, whether that’s wood, masonry, or metal, and matches the conditions of your area.

Finally, apply a high-quality exterior paint. Late summer in Minneapolis is a solid window to paint, thanks to stable temperatures and lower humidity than early spring or peak summer. Stick to paint meant for extreme conditions to give your surface a fighting chance against harsh winters and humid months.

Making these steps part of your repainting process helps reduce future flaking. It also gives your home a long-lasting finish that holds up better year-round.

Preventive Measures To Avoid Future Flaking

Once your repairs are done, it’s smart to think about how to avoid the same thing happening again. Flaking doesn’t always show up fast. It can take a few seasons before it becomes obvious. But simple habits and smarter choices during painting can help your exterior paint hold up better year after year.

Here are a few things to keep in mind for better painting results:

Wash your exterior surfaces at least once a year to remove dirt, mildew, and grime that break down paint faster.
Keep an eye on gutters and rooflines to check for leaks or backups that can soak your siding.
Trim plants and bushes away from walls so moisture doesn’t get trapped and sit on the surface.
Choose paint that’s made for the Minneapolis climate, with resistance to moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, and strong sunlight.
Plan painting projects during weather windows that give plenty of drying and curing time, usually late spring to early fall.
Stick with professionals who don’t skip prep work and use high-end primers and paints that are right for your home’s materials.

Homeowners in this area often assume exterior painting is a spring-only job, but late summer can be one of the best times to repaint. The weather is more predictable after heavy spring rains, and there’s still plenty of daylight and warmth to let the paint cure properly before winter.

Doing regular spot checks as the seasons change also helps keep the paint in shape. If you catch issues early, like discoloration, bubbling, or cracking, they’re easier to fix before they grow into wide-scale problems.

Why Choose Premium Painting For Exterior Paint Repair

Fixing flaking paint isn’t just about appearance. It’s about bringing back protection to your home and making sure your exterior stays in good shape. A rushed paint job or poor-quality products can undo everything quickly. That’s why working with painters who know exactly how to fix these local problems in Minneapolis really matters.

A professional crew won’t just slap on a new coat of paint. They’ll figure out what made the old one fail and make a solid plan to fix it right. That includes dealing with moisture issues, choosing the right paint for your siding type, and working with the right timing for the weather ahead.

With full prep, the proper tools, top-quality materials, and a smart painting schedule, your home can stay looking neat for years. If your house is already showing signs of wear, it’s better to take action now instead of letting the damage grow.

Making Exterior Paint Last Through the Seasons

Staying ahead of flaking paint can seem like a lot, but with the right maintenance and the help of experienced pros, it becomes a whole lot easier. Your siding, trim, and exterior details can keep looking sharp long after the season changes.

Minneapolis homes take a hit from every kind of weather. The swing from damp spring days to hot, humid summers and freezing winter temps means your paint is always up against something. But if it’s applied the right way and you keep an eye on its condition, good exterior paint will hold up.

Even if your home is only showing small signs of peeling, it’s worth paying attention now. Taking care of the problem early sets you up for long-lasting results that hold through snow, heat, and everything in between. When the job’s done properly, you won’t have to think about it again for years.

Keep your home’s exterior looking its best by addressing any issues promptly. Trust Premium Painting to handle the job with expertise and care. If you’re considering updating your curb appeal with professional exterior home painting, our skilled team is ready to assist. Your home deserves high-quality results that last through every season in Minneapolis.