Common House Painting Problems

and Solutions

All exterior and interior paint problems can be avoided or corrected by considering a few things. Any exterior paint job must be started by cleaning, scraping, and repairing the surface. Chalking, blisters, peeling, cracking, and stains must be dealt with before applying a new coat of paint. Unless the cause is discovered and corrected, the problem will reappear and ruin your fresh paint job.

Let’s check out the causes and solutions to some common household paint problems and paint failures.

BLISTERING

Blistering paint is identified by small to medium sized bubbles or blisters under the paint film and is most common on wood siding and trim.

CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS

CAUSES: × Painting in direct sunlight or on a

surface that is too warm, especially when applying a dark-colored solvent-based coating

× Applying an oil-based or alkyd paint over a damp or wet surface

× Excess moisture escaping from inside through the exterior walls

× Exposure of a latex paint film to excessive moisture.

SOLUTIONS: Caulk or re-caulk open joints, check

for roof leaks Apply paint only within

recommended environmental ranges

EFFLORESCENCE

Efflorescence is identifiable by

crusty white salt deposits that

bubble through the paint film from a

masonry structure due to heavy

moisture migrating through exterior

walls from inside the home. Salts in

the brick or concrete become

dissolved with water and then leach

to the surface as the water

evaporates.

CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS

CAUSES:

× Poor paint surface preparation.

× Inadequately waterproofed basement walls allowing ground water penetration.

× Painting masonry construction before the concrete or mortar had adequately cured and dried out.

× Cracks in masonry wall allowing water to get behind masonry wall.

SOLUTIONS:

Remove any prior trace of efflorescence before repainting

Eliminate any sources of moisture

Apply a masonry primer or sealer

PEELING PAINT

Peeling paint is a very common paint problem but can be caused either by moisture or poor adhesion. Peeling due to poor adhesion is characterized by the paint peeling and separating from an earlier paint layer (inter-coat peeling) or from the substrate leaving some paint behind. Sometimes portions of earlier paint layers are visible under the curling, peeling paint layer.

CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS

CAUSES:

× Penetration of moisture into the home through uncaulked joints, deteriorated caulk, leaking roof, etc.

× Excess humidity or other moisture escaping from within the home through the exterior walls

× Inadequate surface preparation

× Applying latex paint under conditions that hinder good film formation

× Applying an oil-based paint over a damp or wet surface

Solutions:

Caulk or re-caulk open joints and check for roof leaks

Adequate surface preparation

Apply paint within recommended environmental ranges

MILDEW

Mildew is a fungus feeding and growing on the paint film or caulk and is identifiable by its grey, brown, green or dark black "splotchy" spots.

CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS

CAUSES:

× Combination of moisture, poor ventilation and lack of direct sunlight. Underside of soffits and eaves are especially prone to mildew.

× Painting over a surface or prior paint film that still had mildew.

× Use of low quality paint having inadequate mildewcide.

× Not priming bare wood before painting.

SOLUTIONS:

Test for mildew using household bleach

Properly treat and prime the surface before applying a paint or stain

Avoid using flat paints and alkyd paints for exterior use

AVOID PAINTING PROBLEMS BY HIRING THE BEST PAINTING CONTRACTOR

If you are planning to paint your home, hiring the trained, experienced and professional painting contractors in King of

Prussia from Lawson Painting can help you avoid these common

painting problems.

Website : www.lawsonpaintingllc.com

Phone : 484-571-5548