As a professional decorator I keep an eye on various decorating-related forums online to try to stay up-to-date with what is happening in the industry. One thing I have noticed recently is the increasing number of people frustrated by paint peeling off in their bathrooms. This blog focuses on how to fix it.
Bathroom ceilings seem to be the biggest problem, partly because many bathrooms have tiled rather than painted walls, and partly because the warm, moist air which causes the problem rises to the ceiling.
What Causes Peeling Paint in Bathrooms?
So peeling bathroom paint is a common – and anecdotally an increasing – problem, but what causes it? I honestly can’t believe that it is all down to poor prep and mist-coating when the paint was originally applied, as some would have you believe. However, that can be a big factor.
The basic problem is that our bathrooms are mini-saunas; they are full of very warm, humid air, which effectively starts to steam the paint off the surface of the walls and ceiling.
The most effective solution therefore is to ensure that the extractor fan in your bathroom is powerful enough to remove this warm, humid air, and isn’t partially blocked by dust and fluff which reduce its effectiveness. If in doubt, open a window! As well as peeling paint, poor bathroom ventilation can also lead to problems with mould – you can read how to deal with mould on ceilings in this separate blog.
I’m sure there are other causes of the problem, and sometimes it will be down to poor prep, lack of a mist coat, or the wrong choice of paint when the bathroom was originally painted.
It could be down to damp on an outside wall, or possibly even a leak, and it’s worth double checking all these possibilities. But I’m equally sure that most of the problems are caused – or exacerbated – by poor ventilation of warm, moist air.
Whatever the cause, it’s important to fix peeling bathroom paint as soon as you notice the problem – the longer you leave it, the further the problem will spread, because once the paint has started peeling the warm moist air has an easy route underneath the paint film, so the problem will rapidly get worse.
How to Fix Peeling Paint in a Bathroom – A Step-by-Steb Guide
Tools and Materials
- Stepladders (or similar)
- Dustsheets
- Scraper
- Sandpaper (or dustless sanding apparatus)
- Zinsser Mould Killer if needed (if using, you should also have gloves and eye protection)
- Stain block if there are stains left by any mould
- Powder filler
- Zinsser Gardz
- Zinsser Bullseye 123
- Zinsser Perma-White
Key Steps to Fixing Peeling Paint in a Bathroom
Clear the room
Remove all movable objects (towels, shower mats, shower curtains, toiletries etc) from the bathroom.
Sheet up
Cover the floor and all the fixtures and fittings with dustsheets to protect against any paint drips or splashes.
Remove all failing paint
Use a scraper to carefully but thoroughly remove all loose and flaking paint. Sand the edges of the remaining paint to ty to “feather it in” to the bare plaster.
Treat mould
At this stage, if there is any mould to deal with treat it and then stain block, as described in our separate blog on how to sort out a mouldy ceiling. Because mould and peeling paint are often caused by the same underlying issue (too much warm, moist air and insufficient ventilation), the two problems are often found together.
Fill and sand
Once any stain block has dried, fill any holes in the ceiling or walls, and use your filler to further smooth the edges of the paint if required. Allow the filler to fully cure, and then sand smooth.
Prime
Spot prime all areas of bare plaster and/or filler using Zinsser Gardz. This clear primer-sealer will help to soak into the bare surface, providing a moisture-resistant film to prolong the life of the paint. Allow to dry for a minimum of 3 hours.
Apply Bullseye 123
Once the Gardz has fully dried, spot prime these areas again using Zinsser Bullseye 123. Allow this to dry for one hour, and then apply a full coat of Zinsser Bullseye 123 to the whole ceiling (and/or walls). This helps to even out the porosity of the surface and provide good adhesion to resist future flaking and peeling. Allow to dry for one hour minimum.
Apply your topcoats
Finally, you are now ready to apply your topcoats of choice. Choose a good quality trade paint suitable for use in higher humidity areas, and resistant to moisture, mould and mildew. Zinsser Perma White is a good choice, as not only is it mould resistant, but it is also scrubbable and designed to resist cracking and peeling. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding drying times between coats. It’s a good idea not to use the bathroom for a minimum of 24 hours after painting, to allow the paint to cure properly.
Final Thoughts
I appreciate that the above may sound like a long and complicated process, but it is based not only on my experience as a professional decorator, but also on the latest advice from Zinsser, who are specialists in problem-solving products in the industry.
Simply painting over the problem with a coat of vinyl matt will not solve anything. If you’re a householder and the list of unfamiliar products sounds a bit daunting and expensive, I’d recommend getting a professional in to do the job for you. We’re familiar with these products, we use them regularly, and we know how to get the best out of them.
For a really long-lasting solution, it’s vital to solve the underlying cause of the problem. If you don’t have an extractor fan I would strongly recommend having one fitted by a qualified electrician, and in the meantime try to keep the window open when using the shower. If you already have an extractor, check that it is powerful enough for the size of the room, and check that it isn’t clogged up with dust and fluff etc.
Once you’ve solved the root cause of the problem, follow the steps outlined above, and you should have mould-free non-flaking bathroom paint for many years to come!
FAQs
Can you paint over paint that is peeling?
You need to stabilise the surface before you can apply more paint, otherwise it will carry on peeling further down the line.
What is the best paint for a peeling bathroom?
Zinsser manufacturer a range of specialist products that will deal with peeling bathroom paint and withstand further peeling in the future.
Will PVA stop paint peeling?
PVA can cause more issues than it solves in decorating. You’re much better off with a specialist stabilising solution like Zinsser Gardz or Zinsser Peel Stop.
Does peeling paint mean damp?
Peeling paint can mean damp, but there are several factors that can cause the issue. These include high-humidity, poor adhesion, and the wrong paint products used.
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