11 Reasons Your Paint is Failing
Posted on August 12, 2021
Are you noticing signs of cracking, bubbling, or fading on your home’s paint film? If so, the professional painters at CertaPro Painters® of the Okanagan are experts at correcting paint failures and can help you remedy the issue. We understand the required preparation techniques and specialty materials needed to perform an excellent paint job and leave you with a space that looks as good as new.
Read on to discover the various reasons why your paint may be failing.
1.Alligatoring paint failure. Alligatoring is a term used to describe patterned cracking in a paint film that resembles an alligator’s scales. This paint failure occurs when hard coatings are applied over softer coatings. The softer undercoat can expand and contract with temperature changes, resulting in the top layer (which is not as flexible) cracking.
2. Blistering and bubbling paint failure. Blistering is the appearance of bubbles on paint caused by moisture. Bubbling can occur in situations where there is high ambient humidity or high surface temperatures when painting. It can also happen when interior moisture is trying to escape from a house that does not have a good vapor barrier or when you apply a second coat of solvent-based paint (such as oil or alkyd) before the first coat has sufficiently dried.
3. Chalky paint failure. Chalking is a layer of powder sitting on the surface that is usually the same colour as the paint. Small amounts of chalk are expected with normal wear and tear over the years and reflect the natural aging process, but this aging happens too quickly when using low-quality house paints. As a result, the surface becomes highly chalky and can no longer serve as the protective barrier between the home and the elements like it was supposed to. It should be rinsed off and a specialty bonding primer should be applied.
4. Cracking and flaking paint failure. Cracking and flaking begin as thin, hairline fractures in the paint film, which grow over time. Reasons for this paint failure include cheap house paint with poor adhesion and flexibility, faulty surface preparation, and paint applied too thinly.
5. Efflorescence paint failure. Efflorescence, also known as mottling, is a common paint failure found on masonry and cement surfaces. When moisture passes through the masonry or cement, it gathers salt from the mortar and is deposited between the substrate and paint film. The house paint is then sitting on a loose bed and cannot adhere correctly.
6. Fading paint. Fading typically happens because of poor colour retention to which certain colours, such as bright reds, yellows, and medium-to-deep blues, are more susceptible. This paint failure is caused by high UV exposure and is, therefore, more prevalent on the southern and western sites of the structure.
7. Mildew on house siding. Mildew grows on house paint films that remain damp most of the time or do not get any direct sunlight. It grows more commonly on oil paints, poor quality latex paints, and unprimed wood surfaces.
8. Rusting nail head through paint. Nail heads rust when non-galvanized nails have been used, causing the ferrous metal to come right through most coatings. This paint failure is a materials and preparation issue rather than a paint issue. To avoid rusting nail heads, non-galvanized nails should be countersunk and have a waterproof caulk applied to seal moisture from the nail head.
9. Surfactant leaching through paint. Surfactant leaching occurs when the chemicals in latex paints condensate on the surface rather than evaporating during the drying process. They present as sticky or soapy light tan/brown drops or runs and typically appear when the paint is drying in a humid environment. They can be washed or rinsed off without affecting the paint film or causing long-term problems as this paint failure is only cosmetic. However, additional coats will not solve the problem.
10. Tannin bleed through paint. Tannin is a brownish or tan discolouration that appears when tannic acid in redwood, cedar, and cypress is brought to the wood’s surface by moisture. Tannin bleeds may happen when the wood has not been thoroughly aged or sealed with a primer. This particular bleed-through can be avoided by primer sealing raw wood on any paint job.
11. Vinyl warp due to dark paint. Vinyl warp often occurs when vinyl siding is painted a darker colour than what it is naturally. Darker colours absorb the sun’s heat, causing the underlying vinyl to expand. Once it cools down, it typically cannot return to its original shape. To prevent this warping from happening, vinyl siding should not be painted a darker colour than the original siding.
Once you’ve identified which paint failure your home is experiencing, contact CertaPro Painters® of the Okanagan today to find the solution. We’ll discuss the exact process needed to remedy the issue and bring your home back to life.
Ready to repair your failing paint and make your house look brand new?
Schedule your free estimate now!
