Repairing Peeling Paint: Large Areas, Easy Fixes

Peeling paint is not only an eyesore, but it can also pose a safety hazard. If you notice large areas of paint peeling off your walls, you'll need to act fast to prevent further damage and unsightly patches. Before you begin, it is important to determine whether the paint contains lead, especially if your home was built before 1978. If lead-based paint is suspected, do not attempt to fix it yourself. Instead, seek professional help from an approved provider who can follow lead-safe work practices. For non-lead-based paint, you can start by removing the peeling areas with a wire brush or paint scraper, being careful not to apply too much pressure to avoid damaging the underlying surface. Once the peeling paint is removed, you can fill any cracks or holes with a patching compound or filler, smoothing it out with a putty knife or filler knife. After the compound has dried, sand the area to ensure a smooth finish. Finally, you can apply a coat of primer and then paint over the repaired area, following the manufacturer's instructions for proper adhesion and coverage.

Identify the cause of peeling paint

Peeling paint can be caused by a number of factors, and it's important to identify the cause to prevent it from happening again. One of the most common causes is moisture. If there is excess moisture in the room, it can prevent the paint from drying properly and cause it to peel. This is often the case in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms, where there is a high level of moisture in the air. Poor ventilation and high humidity can also contribute to this problem.

Another cause of peeling paint could be the use of the wrong paint products. For example, using a water-based paint with an oil-based primer, or vice versa, will cause the paint to repel each other and peel away. Using low-quality paint or paint that is past its expiration date can also lead to peeling.

Improper preparation of the surface before painting can also cause paint to peel. It is important to clean the walls thoroughly with warm soapy water and ensure they are completely dry before painting. Additionally, applying paint that is too thick can cause it to become too heavy and fall or peel away.

In some cases, there may be hidden issues such as a leak or high humidity that are causing moisture to accumulate between the paint and the wall, leading to peeling paint. It is important to identify and address these underlying issues to prevent further problems.

Prepare the area

Before you start, it is important to determine whether the peeling paint contains lead. If your home was built before 1978, it could have lead-based paint, which can pose serious health risks, especially for children. You can find testing kits at hardware stores, but to be sure, hire a certified company to collect chips and send them to a lab for testing. If you think your home has lead-based paint, do not try to fix the peeling paint yourself. Instead, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends hiring a professional from their approved list of providers who can follow lead-safe work practices.

If the paint does not contain lead, you should still take precautions to protect yourself. Wear a safety mask, glasses, and gloves. Place a large piece of plastic or a tarp in the area where you're working to catch any stray pieces of paint. Tape off nearby trim areas, such as baseboards, and remove any furniture, rugs, or other finishing from the space. Place drop cloths around the room to keep paint off other surfaces.

Next, you'll want to remove the peeling paint from the affected area. Use a wire brush, paint scraper, or sandpaper to scrape off all loose paint. Don't use too much pressure while scraping, or you might damage the surface underneath. If there are large areas of peeling paint, you may want to use a filler to fill in the patches. Smooth the filler with a knife, then let it dry. Sand the area with fine-grit sandpaper to ensure a wall surface free of any grooves or lines. Run your hand over the surface to ensure it's completely even with the surrounding wall.

The area should be completely clean to allow the new paint to adhere properly. Using either a tack cloth or a lightly damp (not wet) sponge, wipe off the area to be painted. Wipe the surface again with a clean, dry rag and let it dry thoroughly. If moisture was the cause of the peeling paint, it's particularly important to protect your newly painted area from having the same problem. Primer can help seal the surface, protect against moisture, and allow the paint to properly adhere.

Remove loose paint

Before removing loose paint, it is important to determine whether the peeling paint contains lead. If your home was built before 1978, it could have lead-based paint, which poses serious health risks, especially for children. You can find testing kits at hardware stores, but to be sure, hire a certified company to collect chips and send them to a lab for testing. If you think your home has lead-based paint, do not try to fix the peeling paint yourself. Instead, hire a professional to do it for you.

If there is no lead in the paint, you can begin removing the loose paint. First, protect yourself by wearing a safety mask, glasses, and gloves. Place a large piece of plastic or a tarp in the area where you're working to catch any stray pieces of paint. Tape off nearby trim areas, such as baseboards, and remove any furniture, rugs, or other finishing from the space. Place drop cloths around the room to keep paint off other surfaces.

Now, you can begin to remove the loose paint. Use a wire brush or paint scraper to scrape off all loose paint. Be careful not to use too much pressure while scraping, or you might damage the surface underneath. If there are any stubborn spots, try using toothpicks or toothbrushes to scrape off the paint. If there is an underlying layer of paint that is still solid, you will need to apply another layer of chemical paint stripper to remove that layer separately.

Once you have removed all the loose paint, you will need to sand the space to ensure a wall surface free of any grooves or lines. Use very fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the area down. Run your hand over the surface to ensure it is completely even with the surrounding wall. Wipe off the area with a tack cloth or a lightly damp sponge, then wipe the surface again with a clean, dry rag and let it dry.

Sand the surface

Sanding is an important step in preparing a surface for repainting, but it should be used sparingly. Before you begin, ensure you have the right safety gear, including a respirator, safety goggles, gloves, and a disposable suit. Place a large piece of plastic or a tarp on the floor to catch any paint chips or dust. Tape off nearby trim areas, such as baseboards, and remove any furniture or other items from the space.

Start by removing as much of the peeling paint as possible using a wire brush or paint scraper. Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as you may damage the underlying surface. If you have a large area to work on, a wide-head scraper with a handle will enable you to exert more force and remove paint faster.

Once you've removed the loose paint, you may need to use a paint stripper or steamer to remove any remaining paint. This is especially useful if you're working on a small room. However, these methods can be messy, so proceed with caution.

After removing the majority of the paint, you can begin sanding. Use very fine-grit sandpaper (80-100 grit) to smooth the area and ensure it is even with the surrounding wall. Sand in the direction of the wood grain if you are working on a wooden surface. If you are sanding a previously painted surface, be aware that older homes may have lead-based paint, which can be dangerous. If your home was built before 1978, consider hiring a professional to advise on safe practices or to carry out the work.

After sanding, wipe the surface with a damp sponge or tack cloth to remove any dust or debris. Follow this with a clean, dry rag to ensure the surface is completely clean before painting. Allow the surface to dry thoroughly.

Finally, apply a coat of primer to seal the surface and improve paint adhesion. Primer is especially important if moisture was the cause of the peeling paint, as it will help protect against future moisture damage.

Prime and repaint

If you're dealing with large areas of peeling paint, it's best to repaint the entire wall. Start by removing the old paint. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask to prevent paint dust from getting in your eyes and lungs. Use a wire brush or paint scraper to scrape off all the loose paint, being careful not to apply too much pressure and damage the surface underneath. If your home was built before 1978, it may have lead-based paint, which can pose serious health risks. In this case, do not remove the lead paint yourself and contact a professional for lead-based paint removal.

Once you've removed the peeling paint, you might need to fill in any cracks or holes in the wall. Apply a patching compound with a putty knife or a flat-edged tool like a butter knife. Smooth the surface and let it dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. Next, sand the area to ensure a smooth wall surface free of any grooves or lines. Use a damp cloth to remove the sanding dust, then wipe again with a dry cloth.

Now, you're ready to prime and repaint. Choose a quality primer suitable for indoor use, such as Zinsser Peel Stop Primer, which can be found on Amazon. Cover the repaired area with primer, allowing it to dry according to the manufacturer's directions. Primer helps seal the surface, protect against moisture, and improve paint adhesion. It also creates an even surface and makes the paint last longer.

For the final step, use a paintbrush, roller, or sprayer to apply one or two coats of paint, allowing them to dry in between. If you don't have the original paint, take a paint chip to the store for colour matching. Feather the edges of the new paint into the old paint for a seamless blend. Once the paint is dry, your patched area should blend into the wall.

Frequently asked questions