Outside walls in Lahore face strong summer sun, dust, and heavy monsoon rain. A weather coat is an exterior paint made to resist these conditions better than ordinary interior emulsion. Done properly, it keeps the front elevation looking fresh and helps protect plaster. Done badly, it peels or shows damp patches within one season.
What's included
| Item | What it covers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Ladders, ropes or scaffolding for upper floors | Confirm who provides and pays |
| Cleaning | Removing dust, algae, loose paint | Sometimes washing the wall |
| Crack repair | Filling cracks in plaster, around windows and parapets | Structural cracks need an engineer |
| Damp treatment | Treating damp patches after the water source is fixed | Paint alone does not stop leaks |
| Exterior primer | Seals plaster before topcoats | Should be named in the quote |
| Weather coat | Two or more coats of exterior paint | Confirm number of coats and product type |
| Boundary walls, parapets, grills | Often quoted separately | Say clearly if you want them included |
| Clean-up | Removing paint splashes from windows, floors, cars | Agree before final payment |
When you need it
- Paint is faded, chalky (leaves powder on your hand) or flaking.
- Damp patches or algae on outside walls after rain.
- After exterior plaster repair or a new floor addition.
- Finishing a new house elevation.
- Preparing a property for sale or rent.
Step-by-step process
- Inspection. Painter checks all elevations, parapets, sunshades and boundary walls, and notes cracks and damp.
- Fix water problems first. Roof drains, parapet tops, pipes and window sills that let water in should be repaired.
- Written quote with access method, preparation, primer, coats and timeline.
- Plan the timing. Choose a dry spell; ask how long each coat needs before rain.
- Set up access and protect windows, plants, floors and parked cars.
- Clean and repair cracks and loose plaster; allow repairs to dry.
- Prime the surface.
- Apply finish coats with drying time between coats.
- Inspect from the street and up close; mark missed spots.
- Touch-ups, clean-up and final payment.
Approvals and documents
Repainting your own house exterior does not usually need approval. In some managed societies, rules may apply to scaffolding on the road, working hours, or elevation colours in gated communities. Check with your society office before starting.
What affects the cost
- Total exterior area, number of floors and height.
- Access: ladders vs full scaffolding; difficult corners or neighbouring plots.
- Condition: cracks, loose plaster, algae, old peeling layers.
- Number of primer and finish coats.
- Paint type and grade.
- Extra items: boundary wall, gate, grills, parapets, sunshades.
- Colour change and whether you want two-tone or accent bands.
- Season and how quickly you need it finished.
Questions to ask the painter
- What exterior product and how many coats will you use?
- How will you reach the top floor safely, and who pays for scaffolding?
- How do you handle cracks and damp patches?
- What happens if it rains before the paint has dried?
- Is the boundary wall included?
- How will you protect windows, floors and cars?
- What is the payment schedule and the finish date?
Red flags
- Using interior emulsion outside to save money.
- Painting over damp walls or before cracks are filled and dry.
- No safety plan for working at height.
- Painting during or just before rain.
- No mention of primer or the number of coats.
- Large advance without a written scope.
FAQs
Does a weather coat stop seepage? It helps the wall shed water, but it will not fix leaks from a roof, pipe or broken parapet. Repair the source first.
Can exterior painting be done in winter? Usually yes, if days are dry. Very cold, damp mornings can slow drying, so ask the painter to schedule coats for the warmer part of the day.
Why does my front wall turn black or green? Dust and algae build up where water collects. Cleaning, fixing drainage and using an exterior paint suited to damp areas helps.
How do I know the right number of coats was applied? Agree on a sequence (primer plus a set number of finish coats), count the empty tins against the quote, and check for even colour with no patchy areas.
Sources
This page uses no external rates or standards. Follow the paint maker's instructions on the tin for coats and drying time, and get written quotes on the same scope from more than one contractor.