Why is paint bubbling

Water is the key cause of peeling paint on ceilings and bathroom walls, as well as exterior walls. When water saturates through the coats of paint, it makes the layers detach from the surface. This develops into bubbling or peeling paint. Inadequately ventilated houses can create high humidity and extreme condensation, causing peeling paint.

High humidity triggers moisture build-up on walls leading to bubbling of the layers. This results in peeling layers of paint. So paint adheres properly, the surface must be sufficiently prepared. All surfaces must be cleaned, given a sand or primed before applying paint. If the paint is applied to a surface that is not primed or there is an uneven surface, it will bubble or peel.

High temperatures can make the paint dry faster, stopping the layers from developing a strong bond. Dulux recommend exterior paints be stripped back to remove the blistering before you commence painting. Some materials contain ingredients that react with paints. New wood produces natural oils that stop paint adhesion. Below is how to fix bubbled paint and stop paint peeling. Fortunately, bubbling or peeling paint on your ceilings and walls can be fixed!

If the levels rise due to water ingress, seepage, rising damp or damage to the paint film, then blistering is likely to occur.

Efflorescence is the deposit of crusty white mineral salts that appear on a masonry surface such as concrete, render, brick or mortar. Discover how to touch up a small area of a newly painted surface to conceal repairs to minor damage or to cover up small surface defects. Get detailed information about the physical and chemical properties of our products. Advice for those challenges that arise in your busy and varied days. Browse Dulux specifications, product datasheets, substrate information and material safety data sheets.

Skip to main content Skip to footer. Blistering of exterior decorative paints. What is blistering? Two main types of blistering: Those caused by moisture entrapment within the substrate beneath the paint film, which converts from a liquid into a vapour when the surface is heated by the sun and expands but cannot escape through the paint film. How does it occur? Surface contamination can be trapped beneath a new paint film. Solvents can become trapped beneath the paint film during application.

To minimise the risk of this problem occurring: Where possible choose lighter colours: The rate and extent of blistering is influenced by topcoat colour selection and prevailing weather conditions.

Effective surface preparation is critical: Painted surfaces that receive direct sun and rain, notably roofs and walls facing from North to West, will be placed under the greatest stress. Solution If the paint is found to be unsound, it will need to be completely removed: The existing paint system will fail at the layer that has the weakest adhesion. Prevention Blistering due to adhesion loss can occur many ways however the most common ones include: Painting over weathered timber: When new timber is exposed to the weather, the surface layers begin to deteriorate, eventually turning the timber grey.

Find out everything you need to know about blistering of exterior decorative paints by downloading the Dulux Technical Advice PDF. Download PDF. More paint problem solutions. Learn more. Damp can also lead to an unhealthy living environment, which can be especially harmful for children and elderly residents as well as anyone with health issues.

Plus, damp walls and ceilings can cause all kinds of structural issues and problems with the very fabric of the building.

Rooms that suffer from damp usually have an unmistakable, musty smell caused by mould and mildew. When non-breathable building materials are used such as modern plaster or vinyl paints , any moisture in the walls becomes trapped, as it has nowhere to escape too.

This causes paint to bubble or flake. In modern homes, bubbling or peeling paint caused by damp is especially common in steamy areas with poor ventilation such as kitchens or bathrooms. Condensation is caused by the lack of balance between heating and ventilation.

If your room has an uneven balance, condensation can occur, causing mould spores and black spots to grow on walls. Not just an eye-sore, if left to spread black mould growth can exacerbate certain health issues and contribute to an unhealthy home.

Walls usually feel colder by windows, doorways and chimneys, but these areas are also usually the first to show damp. You could call in a professional, or you can now easily buy damp meters online. There are a number of simple solutions you can do yourself before getting help from the experts:. This is vital prevent condensation. Open windows and use extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens or anywhere that becomes steamy such as laundry rooms.

Older properties were designed to breathe! So materials like lime plaster and breathable Claypaint should be used instead of non-breathable coverings that trap moisture.