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Cracking and Flaking Paint
Flaking paint occurs when cracked paint begins peeling off its original substrate. At first, the problem appears as hairline cracks in the paint, but will worsen over time if the problem is not fixed.
Paint cracking on walls, ceilings, and exterior surfaces happens due to a variety of causes, one of the most common being poor preparation of a surface prior to painting.
Why Does Paint Crack & Flake?
- Poor surface preparation
- Inadequate adhesion and/or flexibility (i.e. low-quality paint)
- Inadequate dry time between coating intervals
- Spreading paint too thin during application (over-thinning)
- Ageing - paint becomes brittle and less adaptable to temperature and humidity fluctuations
How to Fix Cracked or Flaking Paint
- Remove the loose or flaking paint with a scraper or wire brush
- Sand the area to feather the edges
- Prime any bare spots and repaint the surface
Efflorescence
Efflorescence is considered the "mother of all painting problems" as it is a common issue usually visible on interior concretes. The process involves the water passing through a concrete wall, as the water comes to the surface and evaporates, it leaves salt behind. The salt substance forms stains that is either in the form of drip marks or steady patches.
If Efflorescence is not treated sooner, it will give birth to other painting problems. To prevent efflorescence, identify where the defects come from.
Prevalent Reasons to why Efflorescence on Walls Develop
- Water seepage
- Uncured substrates
- Wrong surface preparation
- Thermal difference
How to Address Efflorescence
- Find the source of water seepage and fix it immediately
- Clean up the walls properly and prepare the surface following the right procedures to avoid future problems
- Keep your house well-ventilated and keep the air coming in and out of the house
- Waterproofing your walls will prevent efflorescence and other problems like dampness and mold from arising again
Peeling Paint
Paint can start to peel a few days to several years after applying a fresh coat of paint. It is common on drywalls and old plaster ceilings, but bathrooms, wooden decks, trims, sidings, and window frames can also be affected by this problem.
Paint peeling occurs when there is a loss of adhesion between the paint and the surface it is placed on. This loss of adhesion can be caused by a number of factors.
Why Does Paint Peel?
- Water, moisture, and paint applied to a damp surface
- High humidity and excessive condensation
- Poor surface preparation and dirty surface
- Poor application methods
- High temperatures and intense sunlight
- Using an incompatible paint to the surface and/or too many layers of paint and many different coats on the same surface
- Corrosive substances and extreme dryness
How to Fix Peeling Paint
- Remove the old coat of paint by using a paint scraper or wire brush. Use a putty knife on any especially tough layers
- Prepare the surface for a new coat of paint. Fix any cracks and holes with Omega Powder Filler and smooth down any uneven areas. Wipe down the area with a damp cloth
- Prime the surface with the right product
- Apply multiple coats of the finishing product to get the desired result
Paint Bubbling and Blistering
Paint bubbles can form long after the paint on your walls and ceiling has dried. It is recommended to take the necessary steps to avoid this problem before it occurs.
Paint blisters or bubbles occur when the paint film lifts from the underlying surface. The loss of adhesion between the paint film and surface is usually caused by heat, moisture or a combination of both. This condition eventually leads to peeling.
Why Does Paint Bubble or Blister?
- Painting a damp, dirty or hot surface
- Painting in direct intense sunlight
- Excessive moisture and painting during rain or high humidity
- Applying solvent-based paints on water-based paints
- Improper and poor surface preparation
How to Prevent Paint from Bubbling or Blistering
- Clean the surface and ensure it is dry prior to painting
- Apply primer over any stains and let it dry completely
- Prime new joint compound with an emulsion primer
- Avoid painting in hot or humid conditions
- Improve the ventilation system
How to Fix Paint Bubbles
- If the blisters do not go all the way down to the substrate, remove them by scraping and sanding. Coat with a primer before applying Omega Unicryl and/or Unicryl Pure interior emulsion paint
- If the blisters go down to the substrate, remove the source of moisture, if possible
- Repair loose caulking and consider installing vents or exhaust fans to lower the humidity in the area
Chalking Paint
Chalking is the formation of fine powder on the surface of the paint due to weathering. All paints chalk to some degree; it is a normal, desirable way for the paint film to wear. Quality paints may chalk mildly, but still maintain a sound surface for many years.
Medium and heavy chalking can cause color fading. Severe chalking makes repainting a problem because it does not provide a good surface to which new paint can adhere.
What Causes Paint to Chalk?
- Long-term exposure to moisture and sunlight
- Using a low-quality paint
- Over thinning the paint or spreading it too thin
- Not priming and sealing a porous surface
How to Fix Chalking Paint
- Determine the degree of chalking by rubbing the surface with a finger or dark cloth
- For excessive chalking, scrub the surface with a stiff brush and a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly with a strong stream of water. Excessive chalking may require pressure-washing
- Light to moderately chalked surfaces may require wire-brushing or sanding to remove the excess surface powder
- Check the surface again using finger or a rag to determine the amount of chalk residue. If little or no chalk remains and the old paint is in good condition, no priming is necessary
- If light to moderate chalk remains, use a penetrating primer or undercoat to help the paint film bond to the chalked surface.
Alligatoring
Alligatoring is a term used to describe a patterned cracking in the paint film resembling the scales of an alligator. These cracks generally do not expose the substrate.
What are Possible Causes of Alligatoring?
- Natural aging of oil-based paints due to temperature fluctuation
- Constant expansion and contraction results in a loss of paint film elasticity
- Application of an extremely hard, rigid coating, like an oil enamel, over a softer, more flexible coating
- Application of a topcoat before the primer or undercoat is dry
- Application of a coating over a glossy finish
How to Prevent or Fix Paint from Alligatoring
- Remove old paint by scraping, sanding, chemical removers, or a heat gun.
- Remove all surface contamination by washing and rinse thoroughly and allow to dry
- Glossy surfaces should be sanded dull
- Use a high-quality primer or undercoat