How to paint a damp wall?
How to paint a damp wall? A damp stain is not only aesthetically unpleasant, but also affects the health of those living nearby. Know how to eliminate the problem.
It’s a situation we all hate: seeing a damp spot on the ceiling or wall at home is a headache we all want to avoid, but it’s common in many homes or workplaces. And worst of all, it’s not just aesthetically unsightly, it also affects the health of those living in that environment. We bring you alternatives to fix the problem and tell you how to paint a damp wall to make it perfect.
Passing a roller over a flat surface is not the same as passing over a damaged wall. To solve the problem, we must follow some recommendations so as not to “cover up” the stain without first addressing the cause of the stain. Remember that if you paint a damp place, you will waste money and time in a few days, and almost without exception, the wall will look bad again.
How to paint a damp wall
If we don't want the stain to reappear horribly in less than two months, we have to do the job thoroughly. For this, it is necessary to follow some steps and fix the problem before painting. Some basic questions you need to know:
What is humidity?
Humidity It is the concentration of water in the atmosphere or on a surface. In this case we will talk about the latter. Simply put, it is a wall that has water in it, that is not dry as it should be. The causes of the problem can be several and it is important to understand which one is causing the stain because each one requires a different treatment.
What Should We Do?
We must remove the stain, wait until it dries and paint with bituminous paint to create a protective barrier and prevent future leaks.
By filtering: As the name suggests, these are stains caused by water filtering from the outside. This could be due to a broken pipe or lack of waterproofing in areas such as the bathroom or kitchen. In this case, the first thing we need to do is fix the technical fault so that the problem disappears. Then it needs to dry thoroughly and only then paint.
By condensation: It is the most common cause of stains on the wall. In this case, the condensation of water vapor in the environment creates circular spots on the walls. They usually occur near windows or openings. In this case, we must remove the stain and then paint on a dry surface.
How to paint a damp ceiling
Remove moisture from the walls: Once the source of the problem has been identified, the next step is to check the condition of the stain. If it is dry, we can proceed with painting. If not, we must eliminate mold and efflorescence (these are crystalline, white, powdery deposits that settle on the surface of the wall materials).
There are two different ways to do this and both are equally effective. We offer alternatives so you can choose the one that suits you best.
Bleach: To remove stains on the wall, we can use bleach diluted with water. We apply the solution to the stain with a cloth or a soft brush until the fungus is removed. Finally, we rinse and air the area until it is completely dry.
Hydrogen peroxide: Instead of using bleach, we can resort to hydrogen peroxide. We apply the substance to the wall with a cloth until the mold is removed. Finally, we rinse and wait for it to dry before painting.
Repairing the damage
If we notice cracks or irregularities when removing mold and mildew from the wall, it is best to fix the irregularities with plaster or mixture. Then sand it to leave the surface smooth and to ensure proper adhesion of the paint.
Finally, we must paint the wall. It is not enough to help the affected area: it can be uneven and unsightly. To best paint the wall, the ideal is to start with the angles, edges of sockets and switches, door and window frames, using a brush. The next thing is to continue with the rest of the wall using a roller to obtain a smooth finish.
But we can't use just any paint. If we already know it's a complicated area, it's best to take precautions to prevent recurrence. We tell you what kind of paint is recommended for these cases and how to use it.
Other How To Click here for our sections.
