Moisture or poor adhesion can be the main cause of problem for peeling. Peeling caused by poor adhesion happens when the top layer paint separates from an earlier paint layer (intercoat peeling) or from the substrate leaving some paint behind. It can be caused when surface preparation is poor prior to painting the new coat of paint (i.e. such as being dirty, wet or shiny). Other reasons could also be that the substrate had poor adhesion prior to being repainted; applying an oil based paint over a wet surface; continuously painting over blistering paint and not remedying the blistering problem and a lower quality paint was used.
Possible Repairs:
- Scrape away old peeling paint and feather sand affected areas.
- Spot prime bare area.
- Caulk as required with appropriate caulking product.
- Repaint with a high quality acrylic latex house paint.
Peeling Paint Due to Exterior Moisture Under Paint Film
Peeling due to moisture is recognizable by large peeling sections of paint exposing bare wood underneath. While peeling due to adhesion problems occur in spotty areas, for moisture related peeling, larger areas often peel away around windows, doors and gutters. It can be caused by moisture getting behind paint film from failing or missing caulk, leaks in roof or wall systems or being too close to the ground. It can also be caused by faulty guttering or missing ventilation causing ice dams or water back up and painting when the surface being painted is wet from condensation or rain.
Possible Repairs:
- Ensure proper drainage of gutters and downspouts flowing away from home.
- Eliminate cause or source of moisture by installing exhaust fans, soffit vents, siding vents, louvers, fans, and dehumidifiers.
- Repair and replace missing or damaged caulk.
- Scrape away old peeling paint and feather sand affected areas.
- Spot prime bare area.
- Caulk as required with appropriate caulking product.
- Repaint with a high quality acrylic latex house paint.
Peeling Paint Due to Interior Moisture Under Paint Film
Interior peeling can be caused in high humidity areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, hot tubs, or wet basement areas. Humidity penetrates the paint film from the front. Leaking flashing around a chimney or other exterior wall / roof intersection can also allow water to seep into the house and wet the plaster from behind the paint film causing the paint to separate from the substrate.
Possible Repairs:
- Ventilate high moisture areas such as bathrooms by providing an exhaust vent fan that removes humidity and discharges to the outside.
- Ensure proper ventilation of the roof and walls and soffits.
- Repair missing or damaged flashing at chimney or other wall / roof connections.
- Scrape away old peeling paint and feather sand affected areas.
- Spot prime bare area.
- Paint with high quality acrylic latex paint.
