Blistering Ceiling Paint

6 years ago

We have a 1950s ranch. It was renovated in 2010 by the seller and we bought it in 2011.

For the past 2-3 years, we have noticed some blisters in two small areas near each other by the fireplace. This year the blistered area seems to have expanded. And a part of the paint fell off when I touched it.

In reading online, it seems that it is either a leak or some issue with paint not adhering to old plaster ceilings. Apparently moisture gets in the middle and expands the paint when hot and humid. Or something to that effect. We are in Atlanta and the house is usually at 78 during the day.

I don't know if it is a leak. It is not wet to touch. No sign of mold over the past couple years. No spread of a large discolored area.

Wondering what you good people think it is. And also how to deal with it. I would rather not rip everything out. Would it make sense to sand everything down, prime it, touch up paint it and see if it returns?

This old house......

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

thebigad
Original Author
6 years ago
On further inspection of the roof, it may be a slow leak where a low pitch roof meets the normal shingles roof. The valley line seems to be right.over the area. So, if that is the case, and if I don't want to rip out the ceiling, what do I do to patch it up once the leak is fixed?
paintguy22
6 years ago
Scrape off the loose stuff, then sand the area with 150 grit sandpaper or medium/fine grit sanding block. I would actually prime the area before patching for 2 reasons...one, the patch will be more likely to adhere to the primer then old plaster and two, the weight and moisture in the primer may expose areas that you didn't scrape and sand well enough. I would just use drywall compound for this repair and shoot the water stains if there are any with a spray can of Kilz or BIN. Regular latex paint will not kill those stains.
Related Discussions
blisters and peeling paint
Q
Comments (14)
Yeah, I understand what you are saying. The room is a just a regular bedroom - low humidity (in fact lots of forced hot air coming through the heating vents) - so I don't know of any reason why the primer would not dry or cure as it should. The walls look perfectly fine (other than the hairline cracks that I saw in a few places in the corners and the "testing" that I did). So, it's been at least a week - is there any way to know for sure if the primer is adhering as it should? I really feel stupid, because I suspect that there was nothing wrong to begin with and being able to peel the primer off doesn't necessarily prove anything.
...See More
Fiberglass pool shell, blistered and painted
Q
Comments (6)
If it was a gunite, I would sandblast. I like nearly all people. There are exceptions like Osama and Taliban. Too much scarring would occur with a fiberglass shell, even with fine media. Since I don't own the blaster, I would have to rent and rentals, from my experience, have discharge control challenges. The job is on an indoor pool and that limits air circulation. Curtain have to go to the ceiling to contain flying media and paint and what ever else gets knocked off. That's why I am hoping someone has experienced using a chemical stripper or heat gun to take off paint. I was thinking of using a product called Environmentally Friendly Paint Stripper but need some concerns addressed by them first. Heres the link: http://www.m-tc.com/efs2500_home.htm Given the state of the shell and the number of blisters and that I don't know how long they have been there or why they formed, my concerns are: Will there be more blisters later, after I leave making me look like an idiot or incompetent? Will I have to add layers of fiberglass over the entire shell after filling in the ground out blisters? Will either the stripper or heat gun create more bubbles? I may have to walk away from this one. Scott
...See More
Drywall / Sheetrock bubbles or blisters
Q
Comments (11)
I do not claim to be a drywall expert-- but I have done lots of small-scale drywall work. If this was mine, I would select an area that is not seen much-- inside a closet is ideal- and experiment. Try 3 or 4 spots with each technique. The loose stuff must be removed first so that any added material is bonded to firm surfaces. Brush away any dust from that area. One technique is drywall compound alone, thin layers. Another is to use Gorilla glue in the spot, just enough to wet out the area by spreading it with a dull table knife and immediately cover it with a larger piece of blue masking tape. Leave the tape for 24 hours, peel it off, sand flush, then drywall compound over that and sand smooth again. The glue foams up and sands well after fully dried-- but leaves a porous surface. It holds tenaciously to both paper and the gypsum core. Admission: I have not tried the Gorilla glue for this problem- but I certainly would if I had the problem you describe. The adhesive on the tape should act as a release agent from the cured Gorilla glue. If it does not, paint thinner will gradually loosen the rubber-based adhesive on the tape. Prime all repaired spots, let the primer dry and sand lightly before finish paint. I prefer oil base primer for sealing these patches, but it is virtually unavailable now. Be imaginative and dream up additional things to try. Bondo auto body filler? This post was edited by bus_driver on Sat, Apr 13, 13 at 13:49
...See More
Blistering / Bubbling paint in the bathroom
Q
Comments (0)
The bathroom was renovated it 1 years ago and was painted using Regal Paint from Benjamin Moore. The painter was supposed to use a special bathroom paint from BM " Aura Bath Paint since our bathroom does not a window- we installed a sky light and the strongest fan inside. We found out later he did not use the Aura Paint. I noticed there were some blistering paint outside the shower wall ( plumbing was the opposite site) we checked our meter- checked the rest of the wall- there are no sign of leaking. We followed the direction on how to fix the blistering and the weather was hot and humid on all the times: 1st time: sand, clean, use primer (left over), and paint (left over)- we used the bathroom on the same day-the paint were blistering again and this time spread to a different areas. 2nd time: sand, clean, primer- we let it dry for 1 day and we painted the next day- a week later - they blistering (spreading) again. 3rd time: we got a different primer-KILL Z- repeated the step on #2- The areas we fixed were OK_ but now some blistering are shown at different areas. We are running out of ideas- really trying not to REDONE the whole wall since the photo 3 - the blistering spread to a different section of wall. If we have to REDONE, can someone give us what products we have to use and maybe trying to find the culprit? I assume it could be just too humid, and my husband has not opened the sky lights but the fan has been running at extended timer after using the shower.
...See More
PRO
Paint sales at Home Depot
6 years ago
When patching old plaster which has had some minor water damage, i preferred to use a non-water based primer, either BIN shellac of Cover Stain oil. Water just seems to aggrevate the situation and will not block brown water stains. The fuzzy look of the plaster is effervescence alkali leeching out. You're lucky the whole scratch coat of plaster is not coming down!

I don't disagree with Paintguy's patching methods. My patch material of choice was drywall "hot mud". Hot mud dries chemically, rather than air drying. It shrinks less than normal mud and can be applied with a deeper coat and still dry within the stated time on the label; 5,20,45 minutes, etc. i personally think it adheres better too, especially where thinly feathered out.
thebigad
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks. I am going to address the leak first. And then do what you suggested.

Blistering Ceiling Paint

Comments (4)

thebigad
Original Author

paintguy22

Related Discussions

Paint sales at Home Depot

thebigad
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Blistering Ceiling Paint

Comments (4)

thebigadOriginal Author

paintguy22

Related Discussions

Paint sales at Home Depot

thebigadOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

thebigad
Original Author

thebigad
Original Author