Ask House Spouse · Exterior & Weatherproofing · Siding & Exterior Paint
How often should I repaint the exterior of a PNW home?
Short answer
In Snohomish and King County, expect to repaint a well-prepped exterior every 8–12 years. Homes on windward exposures (south/west facing, no tree cover) hit the shorter end. The single biggest factor is the caulking and prep before paint — a cheap paint job over bad prep fails in 4 years.
What kills paint in the PNW
UV on south exposures, constant moisture on north exposures, and any tree canopy that keeps a wall wet after rain. Cedar siding, popular in older Bothell and Bellevue homes, needs re-oiling or repainting more often — every 6–8 years.
The prep budget
On a quality repaint, 60–70% of the labor is prep: pressure wash, scrape, sand, prime bare spots, caulk every joint. If a bid is dramatically cheaper than others, it's cutting prep. That's why some paint jobs last 3 years and others last 15.
The 30-minute annual check
Every spring, walk the exterior and look for: cracked caulk at trim joints, peeling paint near ground level, and any bare wood exposed. Touching those up each year is what stretches a paint job from year 8 to year 12.
What we see on Home Health Assessments
Roughly 71% of homes older than 8 years show one or more failed caulk joints letting water into wall assemblies.
Caught early on assessment: $220–$750 · Left until failure: $1,200–$8,500
Based on real experience across Snohomish and King County, exterior & weatherproofing issues like this are among the ones homeowners most often miss until they become expensive. Our Home Health Assessment catches them early — while they're still a maintenance item, not a repair.
How the Home Health Assessment worksServices we'd bring to this job
Especially common in these neighborhoods
We see this often on assessments across these Snohomish and King County cities we serve.
Related questions
Exterior & Weatherproofing · Gutters & Downspouts
How often should I clean gutters in the Pacific Northwest?
Twice a year minimum — once in late fall after the leaves drop (mid-November) and once in spring (late March). Homes surrounded by Douglas fir, cedar, or big-leaf maple need a third mid-fall cleaning, typically late October. Skipping cleanings is the #1 cause of preventable siding and foundation damage we see.
Doors & Windows · Weatherstripping & Drafts
Why are my windows foggy between the panes?
Fog between the two panes of a sealed insulated window means the seal has failed and moisture is trapped inside. The glass unit (called an IGU) can be replaced without replacing the whole window frame — usually $150–$400 per unit. It won't fix itself and it won't get better.