They can. Mayfield contains homes dating from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including Victorian properties. Older surfaces may have several previous coatings, repairs, cracks or loose sections. Preparation depends on the actual condition of each surface, so an older property should be assessed rather than treated in the same way as recently painted work.

Some Mayfield homes retain Victorian-era features such as rendered walls, timber details and decorative elements. Before repainting, consider the condition of these surfaces, previous coatings and any architectural details you want to retain. If the property has heritage status, check whether local requirements apply before making significant external colour or appearance changes.

It is possible in older Australian buildings, particularly where painted surfaces date from before 1970. Mayfield has housing dating back well before this period. If old coatings may contain lead, they should not be disturbed without appropriate precautions. The age of the house alone does not confirm lead, so testing may be appropriate before preparation begins.

Older Mayfield properties may have been altered, repaired or repainted at different times during their history. Local heritage records document homes with additions and architectural changes from different periods. One room or exterior section may therefore have different coatings and surface conditions from another, affecting the preparation needed before repainting.