The signs of peeling paint are hard to miss: cracks, holes in the surface, or even large strips of paint that simply come off on their own. There are many different reasons why interior paint in commercial buildings can start peeling.
Yes, with proper preparation, priming, and painting, peeling paint can be restored effectively.
Peeling or flaking paint isn't just an eyesore—it's often a warning sign of deeper issues like moisture damage, poor surface prep, or extreme temperature fluctuations. Left untreated, it can lead to further deterioration, exposing surfaces to mould, mildew, and structural weakening.
Peeling paint is most commonly created when water gets under the paint. Therefore, the most common areas for peeling paint to occur are in the wet areas of a house or building e.g. bathroom, laundry or kitchen. However, there may be other issues with the premises such as excess humidity or a leaky roof.
Give it a freshening if the paint looks dull or faded. Paint flaking or peeling can instantly ruin curb appeal and give the impression that the house has not been well maintained. Your home could contain lead-based paint if it was built prior to 1978. It will need to have the paint removed to satisfy your lender.
Though lead-based paint for use in homes was banned in the U.S. in 1978, it is still present in millions of homes. Lead-based paint is usually not a hazard if it is in good condition. However, deteriorating (peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, or damaged) lead-based paint is a hazard and needs prompt attention.
Peeling paint must be removed prior to applying a fresh coat of paint to ensure proper adhesion. For Best Results: Refer to the how-to for guidelines on removing peeling paint. Using a scraper or 100-grit sandpaper, remove any loose, cracked, or peeling paint from the damaged area.
Peeling or cracking paint is not just unsightly—it can pose a safety hazard. As soon as you notice a problem, remove the peeling areas and start over with fresh coats of primer and paint.
Using a scraper, wire brush, or 80 to 100-grit sandpaper, remove any loose or peeling paint from the damaged area. Remove any dust or debris from the area with a lightly water-dampened rag. Using a putty knife, apply a thin layer of patching material to the damaged area. Allow it to dry.
Lead paint, and the dust it turns into, is the most common cause of lead poisoning. Lead dust is especially dangerous for young children.
When mold has been painted over, it can start to show through the paint. It often looks like stains on the wall that take on a yellow or brown color. You'll likely notice these stains through light-colored paint or on the ceiling.
Look for these water damage signs when trying to detect water damage in your ceiling: Peeling, bubbling, or flaking paint. Small hairline cracks or a larger, spiderwebbed pattern of cracks. Water rings, usually a light brown color.
Environmental factors such as intense sunlight and high temperatures can contribute to excessive dryness on the wall surface. This in turn increases the evaporation rate, causing moisture to be drawn out from the wall faster. As a result, the paint dries out too quickly and becomes more likely to peel.
It can also be caused by the use of an incorrect paint system, poor surface preparation or ageing of the paint system. Flaking is similar to peeling, but with the former the coating tends to be harder and brittle.
Remove all loose and flaking paint with a scraper or wire brush, sand the surface and feather the edges. If the flaking occurs in multiple layers of paint, use of filler may be necessary. Prime bare timber areas before repainting. Use of a premium quality primer and topcoat should prevent a recurrence of the problem.
Peeling or Bubbling Paint
Example of peeling and bubbling paint caused by humidity damage. If your paint is peeling or bubbling, also known as paint blistering, there's likely excessive moisture in your home that's causing the paint to lose surface adhesion.
A bonding primer or an oil-based primer is recommended for surfaces with peeling paint issues. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific primer you're using. If there are any visible cracks, holes, or imperfections on the surface, use a suitable filler or spackling compound to repair them.
Peeling paint is never ideal. While homeowners may see peeling paint and realize they have to add painting the shutters or the bathroom walls to their to-do list, those looking to buy a home may have a bigger problem. That's because peeling paint could potentially cost them their mortgage.
Preparation and Surface Repair
Even though you can quickly grab a brush and paint over chipped paint, you'll regret it in the long run. Nothing beats the benefits of proper prep so remove as much of the chipped paint as possible, make needed repairs, then sand and clean the wall before painting.
Zinsser Peel Stop 1-gal. Water Base Clear Interior/Exterior Binding Primer and Sealer (Case of 4) glues down peeling paint and bind chalky surfaces. Designed to seal cracked and checked surfaces for durability, it helps provide a sound surface.
For earlier signs of damp, you might notice a musty smell or your walls could feel cold and wet. Another sign is discolouring or peeling of your paint or wallpaper. You might also find that plaster is fragmenting too. While excessive condensation isn't a guaranteed sign of damp, it can be a cause of it.
Before you can begin painting, it's important to scrape off any old paint that may be present on the walls or ceilings. This will help create a smooth, even surface for your new coat of paint. Use a putty knife or scraper to gently remove any peeling or chipping paint from the wall.
Spackling paste is excellent for filling small areas. Larger low or shallow spots may be repaired better with joint compound. If the paint has chipped off a wooden surface, use a wood filler instead. For peeling paint on drywall seams, try using drywall taping tools to fill long cracks.
If you complete an exterior house painting project when the temperature is too hot, the paint dries too rapidly, and adhesion is compromised. At temperatures over 90°F, bubbles and blisters form in the paint. Once the paint cures, it could start to peel away from the surface.