How to Prevent and Paint Over Bubbles Forming Behind the Walls

September 18, 2024| Skure SSO| 0 Comment| 1:58 pm

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Paint bubbling, or blistering, is a common problem. It can occur on either painted interior or exterior walls. Those ugly blisters often appear shortly after painting. They may also develop gradually. Either way, they ruin your wall’s look. Knowing how to fix bubbling paint will help you avoid it in the future.

This guide covers bubbling paint: its causes, prevention, and fixes for walls, ceilings, bathrooms, and concrete.

Paint Bubbling: What Is It?

Bubbling of paint occurs when it loses adhesion to the surface it is painted on. This produces bubbles, ranging in size from small to large, in the painted area. The bubbles or blisters create a high, uneven texture. They wreck the finish and melt the paint.

Two types of paint bubbling occur:

Early bubbling: Early bubbling occurs when the paint is still drying or shortly after. It is caused by faulty application or environmental factors.
Late Bubbling: This is after the paint has dried. It then contacts moisture, heat, or other destructive factors.

Causes of Paint Bubbling

Paint bubbling has many causes. Knowing these is key to fixing and preventing the problem.

Moisture: Moisture is considered the number one reason why paint bubbles out. This may be due to high humidity, water leaks, or moisture from outside. Moisture-rising bubbles are common in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. These areas have high humidity.

Poor Surface Preparation: If the surface isn’t cleaned before painting, the paint won’t hold. Dirt, dust, and grease create bubbles.

Painting on a damp surface will cause the paint to bubble. Moisture in the underbrush is to blame.

Painted in High Humidity or Extreme Temperature: Very humid or hot conditions may cause the paint to dry unevenly. This can trap air or moisture underneath, leading to bubbling.

Paint Quality: Low-quality or poorly mixed paint can also cause bubbling. It fails to adhere well to the surface.

Primer Importance: Primer is very important. It ensures surfaces, especially new or painted ones, adhere well. If you skip the primer, the paint won’t bond to the surface. This will cause it to bubble.

How to Prevent Paint Bubbling

The best way to avoid the pain of fixing bubbling paint is to prevent it. Thus, here are the things to do to ensure a smooth finish without bubbles:

Moisture Level Control:

Always ensure good ventilation in your house. This is key in moist areas, like the bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

Use exhaust fans or dehumidifiers to reduce moisture when painting and as they dry.

Consider attending to leaks and water damage before you paint.

Surface Preparation:

Use soap and water to clean the surface. Remove all dirt, grease, and dust. Make sure the surface has dried properly before you repaint it.

If necessary, smooth out the surface to make it flat and evenly textured. This will also enable better adhesion of the paint.

Inspect the wall for any holes, cracks, or damaged areas, and mend them before painting.

Prepping the surface for painting:

New and unpainted surfaces should be primed with a quality primer. It provides you with a smooth surface and allows for strong adhesion to the paint.

Use moisture-resistant primers in the bathroom and kitchen, where humidity is ever present.

Painting Like a Pro:

Do not paint when it is too hot or too cold. In fact, the best temperature for painting is between 50°F and 85°F.

Do not paint during rainy days or high humidity, as this will prevent proper drying.

Choose good paint:

Use highly qualified paints that resist water, based on where they will be applied. For bathrooms and kitchens, use moisture-resistant paints or bathroom-specific paints.

How to Fix Bubbling Paint on Different Surfaces

If the paint is bubbled and it’s on your walls, ceilings, or other surfaces, here’s how to fix it based on the material.

1. Fixing Bubbling Paint on Walls

Step 1: Assess the Damage

Know how bad it might be. Small bubbles can often be repaired. But, widespread bubbling may need more work.

Step 2: Scrape off the bubbles.

Below are the steps to follow in removing the bubbles. The process begins with a paint scraper or putty knife. Use it to gently scrape out the bubbles and the paint below. Take care not to damage the surface below.

Step 3: Sanding

Sand the area after the removal of the bubbles. Start with medium grit, then with fine grit.

Step 4: Clean the surface

Clean the space with a damp cloth to remove dust and debris. It should air dry.

Step 5: Applying the Primer

On the sanded space, use a primer for better adhesion of the new coat of paint. If in a high-moisture area, it will be apt to use a moisture-resistant primer.

Step 6: Painting Over the Same Area

Once the primer dries, you can add your top coat of paint. Make sure it’s high-quality paint for your room and conditions.

2. Eliminate bubbling paint on ceilings.

Step 1: Scrape and sand

Scrape the bubbles off with a scraper, then sand it evenly. Don’t forget to wear safety goggles to avoid dust in your eyes.

Step 2: Deal with the moisture source.

You need to find any leaks or sources of moisture in the ceiling. You have to correct these issues before painting again, or the bubbling will occur again.

Step 3: Prime and Paint

Use high-quality primer and then the appropriate paint on the ceiling. If it is in a bathroom or kitchen, use moisture-resistant paint.

3. How to Repair Bubbles in Paint in the Bathroom

Bathrooms are very prone to paint bubbles from high humidity. It is recommended to follow this procedure:

Step 1: Ventilate the room.

Ventilate the bathroom before you start to prevent any moisture.

Step 2: Scrape and Sand

Scrape off the bubbles, then sand the surface to a smooth finish.

Step 3: Coat with a moisture-resistant primer.

Spread a moisture-resistant primer on the dented part.

Step 4: Apply paint again using bathroom-specific paint.

Buy a good paint that is bathroom-specific. Bathroom paints are highly resistant to moisture and mildew.

4. Fix bubbling paint on concrete.

Bubbling paint can also happen when exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures. Here is how you can handle it:

Step 1: Bubbles cleanup

Remove all bubbling paint using a wire brush or scraper.

Step 2: Concrete Cleaning

Use a concrete cleaner or mild detergent to clean the surface. This will remove dirt, grease, and other debris.

Step 3: Filling Cracks

If there are cracks in the concrete, fill them with concrete filler before repainting.

Step 4: Preparing the Surface

Apply concrete primer to create a solid base for it.

Step 5: Paint over with the appropriate paint.

Choose the best external or concrete paint. It must resist moisture and temperature changes.

Conclusion

Once you have this problem, it’s frustrating. You get annoyed every time you look at your walls, ceiling, or other surfaces. But all that is preventable. You just need to take the right precautions and use the right repair methods. To prevent bubbling, control moisture. Prepare and prime surfaces well. Use high-quality paints suited to the environment. If there is bubbling, use these steps to fix it. They are easy and effective.