Publication date: 12/07/2010
Soluble salts from wet plaster are cause of peeling paint
Dear Glenn: In the past few weeks, we have noticed the paint on the ceiling of our kitchen, which is plaster, has started cracking and is able to be peeled off. We have previously not had any problems with the ceiling since repainting it more than four years ago. The only thing I can think of that may have led to this relates to when we re-shingled the house. After the old roofing had been removed and before we had all the felt up, we were held up by rain for about 18 hours. We had tarps over the roof, but during the night they blew off on the kitchen end of the house.
The roof sheeting is 1-foot by 10-foot planks, so water would have been able to get through the roof. Is it possible that the plaster got wet, and it is now finally drying out in the cool weather? At first, probably within one to two weeks, the bubbles had formed in the paint in two areas. Then it progressed to the cracking. So, what is the best fix?
My ideas are to scrape and sand the entire ceiling or to resurface it with 1/4-inch drywall.
Dear Jon: When the plaster dries out, it leaves behind a white powdery substance that is called soluble salts. This condition makes the surface high in alkalinity and it makes the paint want to peel and leave the surface. The repair is to peel off the flaking paint only and then feather the edges with sandpaper. Next, wash and rinse the area using Dirtex cleaner. Then apply a vinyl spackling compound, where the peeled paint was removed. Sand smooth, wipe the powder off and paint. As a suggestion for what type of paint to use, get some Benjamin Moore Aura Kitchen and Bath.
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