How to Fix Paint Bubbling on Your Walls and Avoid It in the Future
How frustrating to see bubbling and blistering paint on your walls. You may have recently painted and then all of a sudden unsightly bubbles began to appear. Or maybe you've been living with blistering bubbling paint for some time. Either way, bubbled paint is worrisome and can be a sign of more serious underlying problems.
Although the most common cause of bubbling paint is an unaddressed moisture problem, it will be important to uncover the specific cause before you begin repairing the wall. If the direct cause isn't taken care of, bubbling will continue to ruin your walls – even with a fresh new paint job – and can affect your home value.
Paint bubbling on wall surfaces isn't only frustrating, it detracts from the aesthetics of your home. The key is to know what causes paint bubbling and take steps to prevent it before you paint. This article will help you understand what causes paint bubbling, how to assess the problem before you fix it, and when you'll benefit from calling in the pros to help.
Understand What Causes Paint Bubbling
Bubbling paint can be caused by a number of factors. Usually, it's moisture that's the culprit but it can also be a result of :
Improper or incomplete prepping before painting.
Poor paint adhesion due to painting over dirty walls.
Neglecting to use a primer.
Painting over lacquer or polyurethane without proper prep.
Painting when the wall and ambient temperatures are too hot or too cold. Ideally, paint when temperatures range between 55° F and 85° F.
Climatic conditions such as high humidity that allow moisture to get trapped between the wall and the paint layer.
Painting during or right before rain.
With the seasonal climate variations in Denver and the Front Range, you need to pay special attention to painting at the right time of year and under favorable temperatures. When you use professional interior painting services, bubbling won't be a problem that you have to live with. Pros know how to properly prep your walls before painting so that future bubbling is avoided.
How to Identify and Assess Paint Bubbling
Painted walls should have a smooth finish so it's quite easy to identify early signs of paint bubbling. In the early stages, you'll notice small blisters. Eventually, the blisters will grow into bubbles that can crack. At that point, the cracked bubbles can begin to slough off. It's important to assess the cause of the damage so that you can take the appropriate action to repair it. It's important to determine the root cause in order to prevent further damage to your house.
When bubbling isn't moisture-related you can go ahead and follow the step-by-step instructions in the section below to fix the problem. However, if the bubbling is a result of deeper moisture issues, those problems will need to be addressed before repainting. Common moisture problems are caused by roof leaks, bathroom humidity, loose plumbing connections, basement flooding, or cracked, dried-out caulking.
Denver and the Front Range enjoy many beautiful sunny days, even in winter. You can choose special cold-weather paints but under no circumstance should you paint below 35°F. The paint can't dry and cure properly at those low temperatures and will most likely result in bubbling.
The same is true for heat. Painting when temperatures rise about 90°F causes the paint to dry too quickly and results in bubbling and cracking.
Step-by-Step on How to Fix Bubbled Paint
One key to a successful home improvement project is to make sure you have the right tools for the job. Organizing the tools and materials before you start makes the job go faster and more successfully. If fixing your bubbled paint seems overwhelming, pros can complete the job efficiently and expertly.
Gather together the necessary tools and materials before you begin:
Face mask and protective eyewear.
Drop cloth & masking
Tape
Caulking gun & caulking
Five-in-One painters tool
Razor blade
Putty knife
Joint compound or spackle.
Fine grit sandpaper.
Clean rags.
The right roller cover for the surface you'll be painting.
Latex primer.
Paint stir stick.
High-quality paint. Be sure to read the paint can label and follow instructions for temperature, humidity, and climatic painting recommendations.
Follow these 10 steps to get rid of bubbling on painted walls:
Lay out a drop cloth to collect the scraped paint and make clean-up easier.
Use the putty knife to scrape all the bubbled paint off the wall.
Wash and dry the putty knife.
With a clean putty knife, fill all holes and cracks with spackle or joint compound.
Allow the filler to dry overnight.
Use fine-grained sandpaper to smooth out the wall.
Wipe the wall down with a damp rag and allow the wall to dry completely.
Prime the wall and allow the primer to dry completely.
Stir the paint slowly and thoroughly, avoiding bubbles in the process.
Paint the wall with a high-quality paint.
If the bubbling and damage to your painted walls are extensive, it's best to seek professional help to make sure the problems are fully addressed and properly repaired. The cost to paint a room may be more expensive when a professional painter completes the job, but you'll have the peace of mind that the prep and paint job are done right and will be bubble-free and long-lasting!
The Role of Professional Painters in Preventing and Repairing Paint Bubbling
Bubbling paint is often the bane of DIY painting projects. Professional painters know what causes paint to bubble and use expert skills to prevent bubbling from happening. Plus, pros know how to assess the condition of the surface before they start painting. Painting contractors will let you know if they see moisture problems that need attention before painting begins.
If you're worried about how to fix bubbled paint on wall surfaces, Singletrack Painting provides tailored solutions for solving bubbling paint problems in Denver and the Front Range areas of Colorado. Singletrack will employ the proper steps to prep the walls and paint so that your paint job continues to look beautiful, smooth, and bubble-free for years to come. The finest workmanship is what you expect from professionals. Look no further than Singletrack Painting to provide you with what you expect!
Choose Singletrack Painting for Your Wall Painting Needs
If the paint on your walls is blistering, Singletrack Painting has expert solutions you can count on. With years of experience in the Denver and Front Range areas, the pros at Singletrack understand local climate and environmental conditions that need to be considered for the finest and longest-lasting painting outcome. No matter your painting needs, Singletrack Painting provides expert workmanship and outstanding customer service. Ask for a quote today!
