Painting Tips for Older Homes in Des Moines

Des Moines has a rich stock of older homes — Victorians, Craftsmans, bungalows, and mid-century ranches that were built before 1980 and present unique painting challenges that newer construction doesn't. Understanding these challenges is essential for achieving beautiful, long-lasting results on older properties. The most significant concern with pre-1978 homes is lead paint. Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, which requires specific handling procedures under EPA RRP regulations. TrueEdge Paint is certified in lead-safe work practices and follows all EPA requirements for disturbing lead paint, protecting both our workers and your family. Older homes also often have multiple layers of old paint that can cause adhesion problems for new coatings. In some cases, the accumulated paint layers have become thick enough that they're failing under their own weight, and complete stripping may be necessary before repainting. Older wood siding and trim may have significant weathering, checking, and grain raising that requires extensive preparation before painting. Plaster walls, common in homes built before 1950, have different painting requirements than modern drywall — they're more alkaline and may have hairline cracks that need to be addressed before painting. TrueEdge Paint's team has extensive experience with Des Moines' older housing stock and the specific challenges each era of construction presents. We bring the right knowledge, products, and techniques to every older home project.