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Façade restoration and painting in Lisbon
A well-treated façade starts with understanding why the last one failed. We clean, repair and only then paint, with the right system for the render that is actually there.
When exterior paint does not last, the paint is almost never to blame. It is moisture trapped in the wall, pushing the paint off from behind.The principle behind all our exterior work
Before and after
The same façade, before and after
What we do
From diagnosis to the last touch-up
- Measured surveyMoisture meter, crack mapping and dated photographs. Roofs and high areas inspected by drone.
- Cleaning and biological treatmentWashing and treatment of mould, algae and lichen, with the contact time the product requires.
- Render and cracksRemoving what is loose, repairing with compatible mortars and treating each crack according to its type.
- Cornices, parapets and sillsFalls, drip edges and seals in the places where water sits and gets in.
- Expansion jointsFull removal of the old filler and sealing with an elastic sealant, so the joint can move.
- Façade tilesTap testing, safe removal of the hollow-sounding ones, and replacement.
- Woodwork and ironworkDoors, shutters, railings and balconies: old coatings removed, rust treated, enamel applied.
- Painting and protectionMineral silicate paints or acrylic systems, depending on the substrate, and clear water repellents when the building should keep its look.
The right order
Stop the water, dry, clear, repair. Only then, finish.
No finish can correct the wrong substrate. A job priced with the paint ahead of the cause is priced to fail.
Stop the water
Find where it gets in and close that path.
Dry
Give the wall time and confirm with the meter.
Clear
Remove loose render, salts and paint that no longer holds.
Repair
Mortars and sealants compatible with the wall.
Finish
The right paint system, in complete wall sections.
The survey
What we do before talking about price
A good proposal comes from a good survey. When we visit the building we:
- measure moisture in the render at several points and note the readings;
- measure crack widths and see whether they are superficial or need other attention;
- test the adhesion of the existing paint before promising a repaint;
- identify what the old paint is, because that decides the new system;
- photograph each defect with a date, to go in the quote.
At the end we tell you what we found. If the source of the problem is not a painter's job, we tell you that too.
Scaffolding, permits and notices
We arrange the scaffolding and the street occupation permit. We prepare and post the notices to residents, with dates, hours and precautions. All of it is itemised in the proposal, with no hidden lines.
From our guide
To understand your façade
Why exterior paint peels
Exterior paint nearly always peels because of moisture trapped in the wall. Where the water gets in, how to confirm it, and what to do in the right order.
ReadCracks in a façade: which are harmless and which need an engineer
Most cracks in a façade are fine and stable. How to tell the ones a painter can deal with from the ones that need a structural assessment.
Read
Damp stains above the skirting on the street side: where the water comes from
Damp stains above the skirting on the street side, on several floors, rarely come from the floor but from the façade cornices. How to confirm it and fix it.
ReadQuestions about façade work
What is the best time of year to paint a façade in Lisbon?
September to November, and spring. In July and August the heat on exposed façades dries paint too fast, and in winter the rain slows everything down. Winter is the best time to decide, so the work can run in good weather.
Do you handle scaffolding and permits?
Yes. Scaffolding, the street occupation permit and the notices to residents are on us, and itemised in the proposal.
Can you paint just the bad patch?
We always paint complete wall sections, edge to edge. A patch of paint always shows, however well the colour is matched.
What if the crack is structural?
We tell you. A crack that is still moving is not a painter's job: we fix plaster tell-tales across it, record it with dated photographs and recommend an engineer's assessment before any further cost.
Show us the wall
Two photos and one sentence are enough to get started. We tell you what we think and book the visit.
Or call: +351 917 230 287
