Are you noticing chipping or cracking on the walls of your house? Is the faded paint harming the beauty of your dream house? You may be seeing such issues if you haven’t repainted your home with a fresh coat of paint for a long. Such issues can also manifest even when the paint is relatively new in some cases.

Residential painters Melbourne suggest analysing potential issues that can arise with different types of paints. They also recommend hiring professional house painters rather than attempting to address the problems yourself. The professionals can clearly understand the issues with your walls and suggest ideal solutions.

So, here are some residential painting problems and solutions you must know about to prevent property damage.

8 Residential Painting Problems And Solutions

Cracking and Flaking

If you are noticing splitting/peeling of the dry paint film, it’s a sign of cracking or flaking. Such a problem can result in the complete failure of a painting project. This issue may also be characterised by vein-like lines appearing in a single coat of paint. Over time, this paint starts to faint but deepens and develops into irregular and dry flakes.

Insufficient surface preparation is the primary cause of cracking and flaking. In addition, applying a thin layer of paint or over-thinning the paint can contribute to the problem. Further, using substandard paint that lacks flexibility and adhesion may also cause these issues.

Solution: Repainting the entire surface may be the only option if the damage is extensive. However, if the damage is minimal, you can use the following tips to repair the affected area:

• Remove all flaking and cracked paint using a wire brush, heat gun, scraper, or chemical application. The tool you choose will depend on the severity and extent of the problem.
• Sand the entire area and edges to create a feathered appearance on the surface. Afterwards, clean and prime the surface.
• Hire professional house painters Melbourne to repaint the problem areas. They will load the roller or brush properly to avoid too-thick or too-thin applications. If there are multiple layers of flaking paint, using a filler can be significant.
• In addition, ensure using a high-quality topcoat to prevent cracks or flaking from recurring.

Shriveling or Wrinkling

Such problems can manifest if the paint is applied too heavily on the wall or the second coat is applied over a wet first coat. Further, exposure to dew, rain, or high humidity may be another potential cause of the issue with the paint.

Solution: Patience and diligence are the keys to a successful paint job. Let the first coat of paint dry completely before applying the second coat. Drying the paint is crucial, especially in hot, cool, or damp weather. Also, make sure to distribute the paint evenly on the surface.

Blistering

Sometimes, paint doesn’t still properly to the wall surface. It can make rounded bumps called blisters or bubbles. Blisters can appear on walls inside or outside your home. They are usually visible during extremely hot or wet climates or even when you paint oil-based paint on a wet surface. Other reasons for blisters include doing it wrong or not cleaning the surface first.

Solutions: As the old saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure”. Avoid applying paint when the conditions are not favourable. For example, applying paint when it’s raining will cause blistering. Also, clean the wall surface thoroughly before applying the paint.

If your house walls are already affected by blistering, hire a professional painter to examine the situation and take the necessary steps for resolution.

Burnishing

Rubbing or scrubbing against objects can increase the gloss or sheen of the paint film. This caused the issue of paint burnishing. Potential causes of burnishing are:

• using flat paint in high-traffic areas with a shiny finish,
• washing or cleaning certain spots too often,
• furniture touching and rubbing against walls, or
• using low-quality paint.

Solutions: You can prevent burnishing by using gloss or semi-gloss paint in high-traffic areas. Further, use top-quality latex paints for surfaces that require regular cleaning, like doors. These paints can withstand cleaning. However, make sure to use a soft cloth, sponge, or non-abrasive cleaner when cleaning painted surfaces and then use water to rinse.

Nasty Odours

Selecting high-quality paints is crucial for achieving a successful wall repainting project. Opting for low-quality paints may result in unpleasant odours that are difficult to eliminate. Further, this may cause discomfort for your guests visiting your home.

Solution: High-quality paint is the most effective solution to avoid unpleasant paint odours. Proper ventilation is the only solution if your walls are already painted, and the room is still filled with paint fumes. And if the issue still persists, talk to a reliable residential painting Melbourne company for an ideal solution.

Mildew

Are you seeing odd-looking black, brown or grey or brown spots on the paint surface? If yes, these are signs of mildew – a fungus that grows on the paint film or chalk.

Mildew grows when the paint surface is exposed to moisture or if the area lacks sunlight or is poorly ventilated. Further, using oil-based alkyd or low-quality acrylic paints is prone to mildew attacks.

Solutions: If you see mildew on a surface, clean it with bleach and water. Use a good quality, mild detergent to remove any remaining mildew. To prevent mould from growing again, use good-quality acrylic paint. Further, consider installing an exhaust fan in high-moisture areas to prevent mould.

Chalking

Chalking is a powdery substance that appears on painted surfaces. It’s most common in dry and sunny areas and is especially noticeable on light-coloured flat paints. As the paint is exposed to weather changes, its pigments are released and form chalking over time. If chalking is severe, using the wrong paint or thinning it too much before applying can be the potential cause.

Solutions:

Remove the chalk residue using a bristled brush. But be aware, as it can lead to patchy surfaces and might require touch-ups. Hiring professional house painters Melbourne is the best way to prevent chalking. They can pick the right and high-quality paint according to your surface type and the finishing it needs.

Blocking

This problem often occurs when two surfaces stick together, such as a door sticking to the frame. This is one of the most unexpected and undesirous outcomes of interior painting that most homeowners experience.

The potential cause of this problem is the use of low-quality gloss paint. Or if you fail to give enough time for painted surfaces to dry before closing doors or windows.

Solutions: Use top-quality gloss or semi-gloss acrylic latex paint. Also, give enough time for the surface paint to dry completely. But, if you still experience continuous blocking, ease it using talcum powder.

The Final Say

Regardless of the paint quality you apply to your residential walls, it will degrade over time. This is because every paint contains certain chemicals with a specific expiry. As such, it becomes crucial for you as a homeowner to give your home a fresh, new coat of paint every few years.

The above-mentioned residential painting problems and solutions will help you maintain the appearance and strength of your house.

Always get a painting job done by a professional residential painting Melbourne company with a good service record and market reputation. They will have the best knowledge and tools to deal with residential painting problems and will help you deal with them quickly and efficiently.

So, if you are facing any of these residential painting problems, contact professional house painters Melbourne immediately.