Paint Peeling: Everything You Need to Know

Written By Adam Paul - Waterproofing Expert

Paint peeling is the detachment or flaking of the top paint layer from the underlying surface, such as drywall, plaster, wood, or masonry. Paint peeling can be identified by bubbling or blistering, cracking on the paint, edge lifting on the paint surface, loose or flaky paint textures, discolorations or stain marks, and actual pieces falling off the paint. Surface paint peels off due to higher moisture content, poor surface preparation, environmental stress, and using the wrong products on the surface.

Paint peeling can be seen in bathroom walls and ceiling, basements, drywall, ceiling, and deck areas in the home. As well as higher porosity materials like concrete, brick plaster are prone to peeling off the paint due to entrapped air and moisture in the surface. Paint peeling is a huge damage to the home. It can cause moisture damage and rotting, mold and mildew growths, decrease the aesthetic appeal, structural integrity, and increase the maintenance cost over time. 

To fix the pain peeling, you should remove the existing paint first. It helps to make a proper adhesive surface for the new coating. You can use manual methods as well as machines to clean the older paint on the surface. After the cleaning process, you can reapply the paint on the surface properly by following the guide below. 

As waterproofing experts, we highly recommend you to follow these steps to prevent paint peeling including fix all moisture surface before painting, preparing surface properly, using high quality primer, choosing suitable paint, allowing proper drying time, maintaining proper ventilation and inspecting and maintaining the paint layer at least 6 months for the problems. 

What Is the Meaning of Paint Peeling Off?

Paint peeling is the detachment or flaking of the top paint layer from the underlying surface such as drywall, plaster, wood, or masonry. The paint peels off when the bond between paint and substrate breaks down due to moisture, poor surface preparation, or low-quality materials. Paint peeling off can be seen in moisture-prone areas like basements, bathrooms, and external walls. 

The most common signs of paint peeling include bubbling, blistering, cracks, flaky patches, and exposed substrate. Untreated paint peeling can lead to water intrusion, mold growth, and structural surface damage over time. We always recommend proper surface priming, using breathable waterproof paints, and fixing water leaks early to prevent paint peeling in vulnerable areas at home.

What are the 5 Signs of Paint Peeling Off?

We’ve identified five early and advanced signs that clearly indicate paint peeling, such as bubbling or blistering, cracking on the paint, edge lifting on the paint surface, loose or flaky paint textures, discolorations or stain marks, and actual pieces falling off on the paint.

1. Bubbling or blistering on the paint: Before paint peeling, you can see bubbling or blistering on the paint. This happens due to trapped moisture or air pressure under the paint layer. This is common in poorly ventilated areas like bathrooms or around foundation walls.
2. Crack forming on the paint: Before paint peeling, you can see hairline cracks on the surface. These cracks weaken the surface integrity, especially when applied over damp or unprimed substrates such as plaster or masonry.
3. Edge lifting on the paint surface: Before the paint peels, it starts curling at the edges and detaches from the surface. We often find this in areas with constant temperature fluctuation, such as attic ceilings or basement corners.
4. Loose or flaky paint textures: If you touch the paint and it feels brittle, dusty, or easily flakes off, that’s a clear warning of paint peeling. You can observe this in homes with HVAC issues or rising damp.
5. Discoloration or stain marks appearing: Before the paint peels, you can see yellow or brown patches on the surface. These marks indicate water intrusion, which we trace back to roof leaks, leaking pipes, or foundation seepage.
6. Actual pieces falling off: When the paint physically detaches and falls, the surface is already compromised. We’ve seen this especially under old latex paint and around window trims, where condensation and sunlight cause accelerated failure.

What are the 6 Causes for Paint Peeling?

Paint peeling usually occurs due to higher moisture content, poor surface preparation, environmental stress, and using the wrong products on the surface.

1. Moisture problems: Excess humidity, water seepage, and leaking pipes can produce excess moisture in the environment, and it can infiltrate behind the paint film. When water vapor or condensation builds up under layers, it causes the paint to bubble, blister, and eventually peel off over time. 
2. Poor surface preparation: Applying paint on a dirty, greasy, or glossy surface leads to weak paint adhesion on the surface and peeling off over time.
3. Using the wrong paint: When you apply the wrong paint on the surface, it will not adhere to the surface properly. It will peel off with time. As well as this will increase due to the moisture and temperature in the environment. 
4. Painting on wet or damp surface: When you paint on a wet or damp surface, moisture can be trapped inside the surface. Trapped moisture weakens the adhesion between the paint layer and the substrate from bonding. This can happen mostly on concrete slabs, plaster, and bricks at home. 
5. Higher temperature and humidity: Extreme weather conditions such as too hot, too cold, or too humidity can disrupt the paint drying on the surface. It causes bonds to lose and peel off over time.
6. Remain of old paint: Applying fresh paint over chipped, cracked, or unstable old layers results in paint peeling over time.

Common Areas and Reasons for Paint Peeling at Home

Paint peeling is a common problem at home. Paint peeling occurs mostly on the bathroom, basement, ceiling, drywall, and deck area in the home.

Bathroom

Bathroom paint peels off due to poor ventilation or outdated surface coatings. Bathroom walls and ceiling are the most affected areas. Bathroom paint peels off due to these 5 reasons such as excess humidity, inadequate ventilation, prolonged condensation, using non-breathable paint, and insufficient surface preparation.

Ceiling

Ceiling paint off in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, where higher moisture content is produced in the home. Ceiling paint peeling is a hidden sign of moisture problems, poor ventilation, or structural issues in the home. Ceiling paint peeling occurs due to poor attic insulation, warm indoor air escaping and meeting cold surfaces, ceiling cracks, forming condensation, water leaks from plumbing lines, and saturating the drywall or plaster.  

Dry Walls

Paint peeling on drywalls is a widespread issue in areas with poor surface preparation, high indoor humidity, or water leaks behind the walls. Drywall paint peeling occurs in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. Drywall paint peels off due to applying it over dust, grease, or unsealed joint compound.

Deck

Paint peeling on the deck happens more aggressively due to constant exposure to UV rays, rainwater, temperature fluctuations, and foot traffic. If homeowners use regular interior latex paint or skip proper cleaning and sanding, the paint traps moisture underneath. Over time, freeze-thaw cycles, direct sunlight, and ponding water cause the paint film to crack, lift, and peel off.

What Materials Peel Paint Mostly?

The most paint peeling materials are wood, concrete, brick, and plaster.

Wood

Paint peeling on wood occurs when wood absorbs moisture through cracks, joints, or unsealed grain, it expands and contracts, breaking the paint film from within. Paint peeling can be seen on exterior siding, window frames, and wooden trims. As well as you can see heavy peeling in areas exposed to rain, sprinklers, or ground-level splashback, particularly where caulking has failed or flashing is missing.

Concrete

Concrete is naturally porous and retains moisture if not sealed properly. Paint peeling on concrete often starts with moisture intrusion from beneath the slab or wall. Concrete paint peeling can be seen on basement floors, garage walls, and exterior concrete walls where trapped water vapor pushes the paint off the surface. The most common causes for concrete paint peelig are hydrostatic pressure, lack of a vapor barrier, and using non-breathable paints like standard acrylics.

Brick

Brick is porous, and it needs to breathe. When water inside the brick evaporates and hits a sealed paint surface, it forces the paint to lift and peel. If the brick is sealed with non-permeable paint, it tends to peel off over time. Brick paint peeling can happen in older homes with historic facades, chimneys, and foundation walls, where the paint flakes off in sheets due to efflorescence and freeze-thaw cycles.

Plaster

Plaster is a porous material, and it tends to evaporate entrapped air and moisture through the surface. When plaster is sealed with non-porous paint, it tends to block the entrapped air and moisture with causing bubbling and blistering, which causes to peel off the paint on the surface. This can often be seen in older homes, heritage buildings, and interior ceilings, where improper maintenance and poor indoor humidity control allow the paint to fail.

To prevent the paint peeling in these materials, you should waterproof them.

Read More About: 6 Types of Building Materials You Should Waterproof

What Are the Impacts of Paint Peeling?

These are the 10 negative impacts of paint peeling

1. Decreases the overall aesthetic appeal of the home
2. Exposes surfaces to moisture damage and rot
3. Leads to mold and mildew growth
4. Reduces the property value and marketability
5. Compromises the protection of structural materials like drywall, plaster, and wood
6. Causes further paint adhesion failure in surrounding areas
7. Indicates underlying issues like water leaks or poor ventilation
8. Promotes surface deterioration such as cracking and efflorescence
9. Increases maintenance costs over time
10. Creates health risks due to mold spores and lead paint in older homes

How to Fix Paint Peeling?

Fixing paint peeling consists of 2 main steps: Remove peeling paint and reapply. So these both have specific steps and tools. 

Peel Paint Removing

Peel paint removal is the essential first step in restoring a damaged surface before repainting. You should always remove loose, blistered, or flaking paint to ensure proper adhesion for the new coating. In this step, you can use putty knives, paint scrapers, and wire brushes for manual removal, but on larger areas, you can use electric sanders, heat guns, or chemical paint strippers like Citristrip or 3M Safest Stripper. For dust control and lead-safe practices, we follow EPA RRP guidelines and use HEPA vacuums during and after sanding. 

Pain Reapplying

After completing peel paint removal process, you should follow a strict step-by-step guide to reapply paint effectively and prevent future paint peeling. 

1. Clean the surface: Wash the area with a mild detergent or TSP (trisodium phosphate) to remove dust, grease, or mildew. Allow the surface to dry completely.
2. Sand the edges: Feather out the borders of the peeled areas using medium-grit sandpaper to create a smooth transition.
3. Repair surface imperfections: Use spackle, joint compound, or wood filler to fix dents, cracks, or holes. Let it cure and sand it flush.
4. Prime the surface: Apply a suitable primer based on the substrate. For example, use Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 for drywall, Kilz Premium for wood, and Zinsser Gardz for plaster.
5. Use the correct paint: Select moisture-resistant or elastomeric paint such as BEHR Premium Plus Ultra for high-humidity rooms and Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior for weather-exposed surfaces.
6. Apply paint in thin, even coats: Use a brush, roller, or sprayer to apply at least two coats, allowing proper drying time between each.
7. Inspect and maintain: Once cured, inspect for missed spots and touch up. Monitor the area regularly for moisture buildup or surface changes.

How to Prevent Paint Peeling?

As waterproofing experts, we always follow and recommend the following proven methods at Aqviz to prevent paint peeling and extend the life of every surface we treat:

1. Fix all moisture sources before painting: Identify and repair leaks, seepage, or condensation issues from roofs, pipes, or foundations before painting.
2. Prepare the surface properly: Clean the surface with TSP, remove dust and grease, sand glossy finishes, and fix all imperfections. This step ensures strong paint adhesion.
3. Use a high-quality primer: Apply suitable primers on the surface. It helps to increase the adhesion between paint and substrate. You can use Zinsser Cover Stain for wood, Kilz Premium for high-humidity rooms, and Zinsser Gardz for chalky or damaged drywall.
4. Choose paint suitable for the environment: Apply moisture-resistant, UV-resistant, or elastomeric paints like Benjamin Moore Aura Bath & Spa or BEHR Elastomeric Masonry Paint.
5. Allow proper drying time: Let each paint coat dry fully before applying the next. Do not rush the curing process. It may affect the paint surface negatively.
6. Maintain proper ventilation: Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and dehumidifiers in basements to reduce airborne moisture that leads to paint peeling.
7. Inspect and maintain painted surfaces regularly: Check for early signs of bubbling, cracks, or discoloration. Address small issues before they lead to widespread peeling.