Identify and Fix Moisture Issues

Moisture is the number one cause of paint failure in homes. Before repainting any surface with peeling or bubbling paint, identify and eliminate the moisture source. Painting over a moisture problem without fixing it guarantees the new paint will fail in the same way.

Common Moisture Sources

• Bathroom and kitchen steam from showers, baths, and cooking without adequate ventilation
• Roof leaks, flashing failures, or damaged gutters allowing water behind exterior walls
• Plumbing leaks inside walls, often hidden until paint begins to bubble or peel
• Rising damp from poor foundation drainage or missing vapor barriers
• Condensation from temperature differences between interior and exterior walls

How to Address It

• Install or upgrade exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to vent moisture outside, not into the attic
• Repair any roof leaks, damaged flashing, or clogged gutters
• Fix plumbing leaks promptly -- even small drips cause major paint damage over time
• Improve basement and crawlspace drainage; add vapor barriers where needed
• Use moisture-resistant (kitchen and bath) paint in high-humidity rooms

Tips

• Use a moisture meter on the wall before repainting -- readings above 15% indicate a problem that must be resolved first
• Persistent peeling in the same spot almost always means an active moisture source behind the wall
• Exterior peeling on one wall often points to a gutter, downspout, or grading issue on that side of the house