Hero tool
Damage Detective
Find ten hidden paint problems in a cutaway house, one clue at a time.
Your clue list
- 1Around the bedroom window upstairsPeeling window trim Moisture and old gloss lift paint in sheets. Scrape, sand, prime and repaint, and check the caulk.
- 2Running down the green bedroom wallA long wall crack Cracks need the right tape and compound, or they reopen. We patch, prime and use flexible paint.
- 3On the bathroom ceiling cornerA water stain Fix the leak first, then seal the brown ring with stain-blocking primer before painting.
- 4Dark spots above the tubMildew in a damp corner Clean it away, improve ventilation and use a mildew-resistant primer and paint.
- 5On the blue siding by the attic windowPaint blisters Bubbles come from moisture or heat under the paint. We scrape, dry, prime and recoat.
- 6On the lower shutter by the doorA faded, peeling shutter Sun and weather wear shutters fast. We sand, prime and spray fresh color.
- 7On the blue front doorA chipped front door Worn doors need sanding, primer and thin coats of tough exterior enamel.
- 8On the porch railingRusty railing Remove loose rust, prime with a rust-inhibiting primer and finish with a metal coating.
- 9In the porch floor at the stepsA rotted deck board Rot cannot be painted over. The soft board is replaced before any coating goes on.
- 10On the hallway wall by the stairsPeeling wallpaper Remove the old paper and glue, repair the wall and prime before painting.
Every problem found!You have the eyes of a paint inspector. Send your score along with a request and we will inspect your real home the same way.
Saved. It will travel with your request below.
Tap or click the picture where you think a problem is hiding. Every home is different, so a real inspection is the best way to find the issues in yours.
How to use it
Three quick steps
- 1Read the cluesEach clue points to a kind of damage.
- 2Tap the pictureClick where you think the problem is.
- 3Learn the fixEvery find explains what to do about it.
Questions
About the damage detective
Is this a real house?
It is a cartoon cutaway that packs common problems into one picture, so you know what to look for at home.
Which problem matters most?
Moisture problems and rot matter most because paint cannot fix them. Everything else is mainly about prep.
Can you inspect my house?
Yes. An inspection is the first step of every project.
Next step
Services that go with this tool
Pressure Washing and Surface PrepClean, sound surfaces so new paint sticks and lasts.See the service 
Wood Rot and Trim RepairRotted boards replaced and trim repaired before paint seals them in.See the service 
Drywall Repair and PatchingHoles, cracks and dents made to disappear before paint goes on.See the service Ready to give your home a glow-up?
Call or text, or send the form. Tell us what you would like painted and we will tell you how we would approach it.