Peeling paint: how to deal with the effects of moisture
It’s only been two years since you repainted your house and you can already tell that the interior and exterior walls are peeling. Although you may initially chalk this up to faulty work on the part of the paint company, further investigation could lead you to another culprit.
Moisture and exposure to water can negatively affect the longevity and appearance of the paint. The specific causes and solutions vary depending on the location and extent of the scaling; however, it is the loss of adhesion that ultimately causes the paint to peel. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to prevent moisture from damaging your paint.
To prevent moisture from ruining your paint, read this overview to learn about the different causes of moisture damage and find out what you can do about it.
Inside
Because
- Cooking and showering can produce excessive moisture and cause paint to flake, as can using a humidifier, steamer, or hot tub.
- High humidity levels in your home’s basement or foundation may also be the problem.
Solution
- Check the ventilation in your kitchen and bathrooms and make sure it is filtering the air properly. Bathrooms with showers must have exhaust fans.
- Ventilation inside the walls or on the roof of your house needs to release moisture, or it has nowhere to go. Roof vents and exterior wall vents can be installed or serviced.
- Opening the windows is another option to allow moisture to escape and can also be nice on a warm day.
Exterior
Because
- Worn caulk will allow moisture to enter through joints, corners, and openings. The same is true if there is no caulk.
- Clogged gutters can cause moisture to collect under the shingles.
- Interior moisture can move through exterior walls, affecting the paint on both sides.
- A surface that is painted when wet will inevitably start to peel.
Solution
- Repair or remove loose and cracked sealant and replace with a quality alternative.
- Make sure your gutters channel water properly.
- Ventilation grills and fans should be installed to reduce humidity in your kitchen and bathrooms.
- Always properly prepare your surface when painting your exterior walls.
For homeowners, it can be disconcerting to see the money and time they spend painting peel off their walls. However, with a few tweaks, you can prevent it from happening again and give your home the lasting coat you’ve been wanting.
