Spending so much time and effort on painting or repainting walls at home can sometimes result in serious disappointment when you wake up one day and find that it has started bubbling. Paint bubbling is one of the most common problems in house painting. Bubbles can form long after the paint has dried. There are many things you can do to avoid this issue, but before going into all of that, you must understand why the paint is bubbling to begin with.
Paint bubbles occur when paint is lifted from the surface its coating. When exposed to too much heat or moisture, the adhesives that hold the paint to the surface get thinner and will eventually lose the ability to stick. House paint bubbling will then lead to peeling.
There are a lot of ways to stop this from happening, or even fix it when it happens. Here are five reasons why your paint is bubbling and five tips for how to fix bubbling paints.
1. Dirty Surfaces
Every single painting user manual starts with instructions to clean the walls or the surface where you are planning to paint over. This is the most important part of preparation because paint will stick better on clean walls. No matter how much you clean your walls, dirt and dust are still going to come and stick to it. Dirt and dust are the paint’s microscopic enemies because just the right amount of it will prevent the paint from sticking effectively to any surface.
How can you avoid this from happening?
Before you start painting the walls or ceiling, make sure to clean it thoroughly, removing all the dirt and dust in the process. You can use a wet sponge and liquid soap to scrub the wall, let it dry completely, and start painting.
2. Forgetting to Use Primer
Most of us don’t know the importance of primer in painting. But it’s not just an extra product or a mere suggestion for the process. Adding a layer of primer will create a less porous surface to let the binders and pigments stick to the surface more effectively. It ensures your paint will stick to the surface for a longer amount of time.
How can you avoid this from happening?
Don’t forget the primer. Always include it in the process and place it where you can easily find it before you start painting.
3. Development of Moisture
Moisture development is the main reason why paint bubbles. It can be from water droplets, small leaks, or heat. Long exposure to these kinds of moisture can soak any wall and lead to bubbles between wall and paint. This can normally be seen in rooms where water is always running like bathrooms and kitchens.
How can you avoid this from happening?
Check for cracks in the wall before painting, and seal them up. Watch out for cracks that develop overtime. These types of cracks can normally be seen near the door frames and window panes.
4. Heat
As with moisture, it is inevitable for rooms to develop or even be exposed to heat. Kitchens are the most exposed to heat because that is where we cook. Because of heat or sunlight, the layers of paint dry unevenly and will eventually cause house paint bubbling to occur.
5. Using the Wrong Tools or Paint
In painting, there are different types of paint you can use. There are oil-based paints, latex paints, and many more. When you are painting over oil-based paint, it is best to use more of that same kind. Putting other types of paint over the oil-based paint will cause bubbling because the different formulas can cause a negative reaction over time.
But since there are benefits of using latex paint over oil-based paint, you can still do that, but with a lot of preparation. Rough up the surface of your oil-based paint by sanding it and cleaning it with TSP. You can then add the layer of latex paint and brush it up with a roller for perfect setting.
How to Repair House Paint Bubbling?
If you find bubbles occurring in your house paint, here is how you can fix bubbling paint:
- Get rid of all the bumps and cracks by scraping it with a knife
- Use a patching compound to fill the cracks on the surface
- Leave it overnight to dry
- Use a fine-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the surface and let it dry completely
- Use a primer before repainting
- Paint the surface over in a well-ventilated room
Jeff Schultz, the best residential painter in Sarasota, offers the best house painting services to give you the most professional painting experience you will ever have. Contact us for more inquiries and get a quote now!
