Ceilings – flaking paint (particularly on fibrous plaster ceilings)

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