Description: Patterned cracking in the paint film resembling the scales of an alligator.

• Application of an extremely hard, rigid coating, like oil enamel, over a more flexible coating, like a latex primer or topcoat.

• Natural aging of oil-based paints due to temperature fluctuation. The constant expansion and contraction results in a loss of paint film elasticity.

Description: Bubbles resulting from loss of adhesion and lifting of the paint film from the underlying surface.

• Excessive moisture escaping from the interior of the house through the exterior walls (less likely with latex paint than with oil-based paint).

• Exposure of latex paint film to dew, high humidity, or rain shortly after paint’s dried, especially if there was inadequate surface preparation.

• Painting over a surface damp with rain, dew or residual from power washing
  

Description: Loss of adhesion of the paint film almost always down to the bare wood or stucco surface resulting in large paint chips/flakes.

• Peeling results when wet substrate swells under paint, causing the paint film to loosen, crack and fall off. Among the variety of ways for water to reach painted wood are:

Description: Flaking is the lifting of paint from the underlying surface in the form of flakes.

• Flaking is generally preceded by cracking or checking and will occur over different surfaces. When it occurs over wood, it is usually found on those boards that have an excessive amount of “flat” hard grain pattern.

• Excessive cracking can also occur due to poor surface preparation and/or applying too thin a coat of paint.
  

Description: Loss of paint due to poor adhesion. Where there is a primer and topcoat, or multiple coats of paint, peeling may involve some or all coats.

• Excess moisture escaping through the exterior walls (more likely if paint is oil-based).

Description: Formation of fine powder on the surface of the paint film during the weathering, which can cause color fading. Although some degree of chalking is a normal and desirable way for paint to wear, excessive film erosion can result in heavy chalking.

• Use of an oil based paint. (These tend to chalk more than latex formulation)

• Aluminum siding can develop an excessively thick chalk layer and will require power washing to ensure complete removal.

Description: Black, gray, green, or brown areas on the surface of paint or caulk.

• Continuously high humidity or dampness. As humidity increases, mildew growth becomes more rapid.

• Composition of surface. Mildew will grow on any surface that provides a nutrient, even dirt.

• Mildew occurs more often on light colors of paint film. Colors that do not absorb the sun’s heat provide a surface for mildew growth. Dark colors become hot and discourage growth.