While paint is meant to protect your home from corrosion and warping wood, it’s not without its own vulnerabilities. Certain situations can cause paint to peel and fall off. And too much peeling paint can expose your foundation to damage, as well as ruining the overall look of your home. But what causes paint to peel?
RestoPros would like to answer this question by informing Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners on 5 common issues that can lead to peeling paint.
1. Water
How is water what causes paint to peel? Paint acts as a form of adhesive when coated on a wall or other surface. And as with any adhesive, water is its number-one enemy!
When water splashes onto a painted wall, often moisture begins to seep behind the coating. The moisture then slowly separates the paint from the wall, which can eventually lead to peeling.
This is the most common cause of peeling paint. And you’ll often find this issue in the bathroom and kitchen, due to the heavy water usage in those rooms.
2. Dirt
One of the most important rules of painting is to always clean the wall before applying a coat. Dirty walls don’t let paint set adequately, as the dirt particles block the paint from settling. So, if you coat a dirty wall with paint, it has a higher chance to peel later down the road. This issue exacerbates if you use paint with latex in it, as latex is especially vulnerable to dirt.
3. Extreme Temperature
Paint isn’t always weather-proof. And temperatures that are too hot or cold can cause the paint to crack and peel. This can easily happen if you use interior paint for exterior use, as the paint was not designed for changing weather conditions.
Additionally, paint can be ruined by extreme temperatures before you even use it! Leaving a paint can in the garage over the winter could cause it to freeze. This makes paint lose most of its consistency, rendering it relatively useless after being thawed.
4. Bleach
Bleach is a potent substance, which makes it a great cleaning agent. However, its potency can sometimes be damaging, especially if you don’t dilute it with water. Using undiluted bleach to clean a wall can ruin and damage the coating, causing it to peel. We generally recommend using a less harmful substance such as dish soap when cleaning any painted surface.
5. Incompatible Paint Coverings
How could paint be what causes paint to peel? The answer lies in the compatibility of each type of paint. Not all paints are compatible. And mismatching multiple layers can lead to peeling. For example, you shouldn’t apply an oil-based paint over a wall already covered in latex-based paint, as it will not set properly and will age quickly.
Additionally, you must consider the surface that’s going to be painted. Not all surfaces can hold paint coats well. Surfaces such a cured wood are too oily for paint to stay for long periods of time, and a coating will begin to peel more easily and quickly.
Be aware of the things that might cause your paint to peel – doing so helps you prevent it from occurring in your Dallas/Ft. Worth home. However, if your paint has peeled significantly, or there’s any other damage to your drywall, contact RestoPros for our affordable damage repair and remodeling services. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment and get started.
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