What Causes Ceiling Paint to Flake and Peel?

What causes ceiling paint to flake and peel?

There are a number of factors that will cause paint to flake and peel over time some of them include;

Incorrect application

In the early 80s where gyprock homes were being built to price and with little knowledge of paints the incorrect application was being used.  Painters were applying flat paints straight onto bare gyprock and therefore, the paint was not soaking in like a primer would usually do.  This application process becomes unstable over the years as well as more coats being applied over time creating more pressure on the surface and gravity doing its job the result is a problem ceiling which peels and flakes.

Moisture

One of the more common issues with problem ceilings is moisture.  There are several reasons why moisture occurs.  Moisture from storm damage can release the coating from any ceiling surface causing peeling or blistering paint.  Also wet areas in the house such as the kitchen, laundry and bathroom can create moisture. For example, in a bathroom with lack of ventilation, steam damage can occur to the coating causing it to flake and peel. 

How to fix it?

Repairing peeling paint on your walls and ceiling can be a time-consuming process, and difficult. Make sure you know what you are doing, or call in an expert to avoid future occurrences.

Remove Chipped/Flaking Paint

The first step in repairing your bathroom walls and ceiling is removing the chipped spots. A putty knife or paint scraper works well at removing the paint if you carefully move it along the loose edges. Make sure to remove all peeling or flaking areas until the wall and ceiling only have firmly adhered paint on them.

Sand

Make sure you sand the area to ensure that there are no ridges or uneven edges. Followed up by wiping down the dust with a damp cloth.

Prime

Your bathroom walls and ceiling probably started peeling in the first place because they weren’t properly primed. To avoid the same problem in the future, we recommend using Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Multi-Purpose Latex Primer. This primer helps prevent water marks on the ceiling and helps to prevent mildew growth.

Repaint

Once your primer is dry, you can repaint your ceiling in any colour you choose. But it’s important to choose the right type of paint if you want to prevent peeling and flaking in the future. Look for a formula marked specifically for ceilings like Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint. With Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint, It’s specially formulated for ceilings and provides high opacity coverage therefore often only requiring one coat over most surfaces.

When tackling any kind of big project make sure to seek advice from the experts, The Paint Guys!!

Call us for a free no obligation quote today! 647-342-7169