One of the most common problems that come with painted walls is peeling.
Peeling refers to when bits and pieces of the paint chips away from the walls. Not only does this make the house look ugly and run down, but it also creates a hazardous and unhygienic atmosphere.
If you're going to be painting your house, you must know what causes peeling and how to prevent them. To help you out in your role as a house painter, here is an article that will guide you through the steps.
What is peeling and how is it caused?
Peeling refers to when the paint chips away from the walls, over time. Paint peeling occurs due to many reasons, some of which are as follows.
- Poor priming - One of the main reasons why paint peels off, within months of a paint job, is due to poor priming. Applying primer before painting is essential because not only does it give you an even base to work with, but it also keeps your walls protected from water or smoke damage. Not applying primer keeps your walls uneven, which prevents the paint from sticking to it properly. It also makes them susceptible to growing moisture and leads to the formation of mildew and mold.
- Dirty walls - Paint peeling also occurs if your walls are dirty and unclean. The pre-existing debris, dust, and particles that are present prevent the paint from laying directly on the wall. In the case of kitchen walls, the grease and smoke that's trapped can also cause the paint to peel off. If the surface isn't cleaned, microbes and bacteria that remain can grow underneath the paint and because it to peel.
- Inadequate drying - Paint peeling isn't just caused due to lack of prep. Inadequate drying time between coats can also cause the paint to shrink and peel off. This reaction is called "alligatoring" since the paint begins to resemble the flaky skin of an alligator. This can also occur if the two paints aren't of the same type, which will prevent the coat on top from adhering to the one below.
- Low-quality paint - Using poor grade paint can also contribute to paint-peeling. Such paints have low adhesive qualities and do not sit right on the walls. They also tend to be less flexible, which makes them extremely prone to peeling. Make sure that you stay away from bargain brands, and instead opt for well-known paint companies.
How to solve paint peeling
If you're dealing with a paint-peeling problem right now, here's how you can fix that in a few easy steps.
- Remove the peeled paint - Before you start with anything else, remove the pre-existing chips of paint. Do this with the help of a paint scraper or a putty knife. Make sure that you keep yourself protected with the help of a face mask and goggles since paint flecks will be flying everywhere.
- Fill up the patches - Once that's done, fill up any cracks and holes with patching compound. Make sure that you apply it evenly with the help of a putty knife. Also, give it adequate time to dry, most preferably overnight. Once it's dry, use sandpaper to smooth out the area and remove any grit or roughness. This will give you a level area to work on.
- Prime the walls - When you're done with the patchwork, grab your primer and get started on priming the surface of the walls. While you do have the option of purchasing paint with in-built, it's better to get specialized primer with moisture and stain blocking properties as it will be much more effective in preventing paint from peeling in the future.
- Repaint - Finally, repaint your walls with high-quality paint. Like we mentioned above, don't skimp out while purchasing paint. Low-quality paint is one of the main reasons why paint peeling occurs in the first place. Make sure that you use good quality brushes and rollers as well, otherwise, the paint application won't be as smooth.
How To Prevent Paint From Peeling?
Here are some easy ways to keep your walls safe and protected from peeling in the future.
- Clean the surface of the walls with a damp cloth properly before you apply any paint.
- Make sure that you use the appropriate kind of primer and paint. Don't use different types of paint on the same wall, without removing the one below.
- Keep the paint protected from direct sunlight and rain, both of which are contributors to paint peeling.
