Ceilings – flaking paint (particularly on fibrous plaster ceilings)
Listed under: Interior, finishes, plaster and fibrous plaster, plasterboard, paint, ceilings, linings, moisture
Cause
Deterioration due to age; joint stopping not dry when painted; oil-based paint applied over acrylic
Repair
- Prepare and repaint the ceiling:
- wash with a suitable paint cleaner to remove surface dirt or contamination. Where there is grease, a sugar soap solution may be necessary
- gently scrape off loose paint, being careful not to scuff the surface
- fill localised damaged areas with appropriate filler or apply a filler skim coat to the whole ceiling (with paper-faced plasterboard it will be difficult to remove paint without damaging the paper surface)
- sand carefully; seal the surface with a good quality oil-based (alkyd) sealer paint; apply a minimum two top coats of acrylic ceiling paint
Cause
Damp ceiling
Repair
- First, reduce the indoor moisture level:
- install a rangehood over the cooktop and vent the cooking steam outside
- install an exhaust vent near the shower in the bathroom and vent the steam outside; or install a shower dome above the shower
- avoid the use of unflued gas heaters inside
- avoid drying clothes inside
- prepare and repaint the ceiling:
- wash with a suitable paint cleaner to remove surface dirt or contamination. Where there is grease, a sugar soap solution may be necessary
- gently scrape off loose paint, being careful not to scuff the surface
- fill localised damaged areas with appropriate filler or apply a filler skim coat to the whole ceiling (with paper-faced plasterboard it will be difficult to remove paint without damaging the paper surface)
- sand carefully; seal the surface with a good quality oil-based (alkyd) sealer paint; apply a minimum two top coats of acrylic ceiling paint