Why Does Paint Peel?

Do you ever wonder why paint begins to peel? It can be frustrating to see part of our home beginning to peel or blister, and not to know the cause of the peeling paint, or how to repair it. In order to prevent paint from peeling, there are a couple of key contributing factors to know. The most common reason is moisture. Proper house ventilation is vital to prevent excessive moisture, which can be very damaging to walls. Other problems, such as discoloration or fungal growth can also happen when walls are exposed to excessive moisture. Although, none of these problems should be applicable if the moisture in your home is properly controlled.

During the winter, moisture more easily accumulates in homes since they are closed to retain heat. The higher the room temperature, the more moisture the air will hold. Some of the main sources of moisture are leaky water lines in the walls and the use of faucets and showers; dryers can also contribute to excessive moisture if they are not adequately vented outside the house. Moisture gravitates toward areas of lower vapor pressure, such as cold wall cavities, which makes it important that walls be properly protected by vapor barriers. Other common reasons for moisture to enter walls are faulty caulking around entryways, leaky roofs, rain gutters, and loose metal flashing at base foundations.

After 1978, building contractors have been required to take more precautions, such as using double felt barriers in walls and FHA weep hole metal flashing at the base of a foundation so the house can breath and moisture can escape properly. However, homes built before 1978 are more subject to ventilation problems because the builders were not required to follow the new precautionary specifications.

To ensure that your house is free from these problems, there are a few cautionary steps you can take:
1. Have a roofer check for leaks in your roof and, if necessary, add roof vents and rain gutters.
2. Keep your home properly ventilated; keep the kitchen and bathroom windows open when in use.
3. Check for decay in old stucco, wood siding, and vapor barriers, and check for rust in metal flashing.

If you have any questions, or would like one of our specialists to come and check out your home, call us at: (301) 831-3679.