ARP - Adam Roe Painting (2024)

FAQs

Why does paint bubble on drywall? ›

Paint blisters or bubbles occur when the paint film lifts from the underlying surface. The loss of adhesion between the paint film and surface is usually caused by heat, moisture or a combination of both. This condition eventually leads to peeling.

As the new film of paint dries and pulls away, pockets of air or water form underneath. Some of these deflate or pop on their own, making the uneven surface less noticeable — though the blistered areas may never fully reattach to the substrate and later begin to peel.

While it differs from room to room due to varying degrees of traffic and usage, the general rule is you should repaint your house interior every 3-5 years. Keep in mind that not every household is the same. Maybe you rarely use your dining room except for the holidays.

If the cause is surface-level—not the result of a crack in the wall and drywall—begin by scraping off the bubbled paint. Sand it down to create a smooth surface for primer, then fill any holes and cracks with a patching compound. Let the compound dry overnight, then sand again gently with fine-grit sand paper.

High humidity triggers moisture build-up on walls leading to bubbling of the layers. This results in peeling layers of paint.

Remove areas of paint separation (blisters) with sanders*, brushes, or scrapers. Clean the exposed surfaces, sand* them, and prime them with high-adhesive alkyd primers. Once the primers cure, re-paint the previously-bubbled surfaces following the blistering prevention guidelines below.

Can you paint a wall too many times? No, there isn't a limit to how many times you can paint your wall.

There's no limit to how many times you can repaint a wall. You can do it as many times as you like depending on aesthetic preferences and maintenance needs. The walls in your kitchen and bathroom often need to be repainted more frequently as they are prone to water damage.

It is typically safe to apply a second coat after four hours for latex paint and 24 hours for oil-based paint. Latex paint is dry to the touch in about one hour, while oil-based paint is dry to the touch in about six to eight hours.

How do I know if there is moisture in my walls? ›

If you see paint bubbling on a wall in other areas of your house it may be due to a water leak. There could be paint bubbling in a bathroom or even a bedroom depending where the leak is. Inside the wall cavities there may be piping that has cracked, a seal that has failed or even a connection that has come loose.

Another issue that arises from water damage is blistering paint. Blistering occurs when moisture gets trapped beneath the layers of paint, causing it to separate from the wall and bubble up like blisters on the skin. Not only does this look unsightly, but it also means an underlying problem with moisture in your home.

Adding dish soap or No-Pock Pro can help, but the compound may still “pock,” just not as bad. The only recourse is thinner coats with some type of air assist drying and work the bubbles out with your knife.

If it's not a premixed ready-to-use compound, you mix could be just a little dry, maybe add a few drops of water to smooth it out a little more. Also remember to do a damp wipe of any area you sanded to remove dust and possible points of bubble cling.

Paint blistering or paint bubbling can be caused by either extensive exposure to heat or moisture. If it's happening in your bathroom or an area exposed to too much humidity, chances are mold is nearby or in the walls.