Common Interior And Exterior Painting Problems

Some of the common interior and exterior painting problems faced by people in the New England, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island areas are blistering, mildew, and chalking. Here are some of the reasons why they occur and what may be done in these instances.

Blistering

When medium-sized bubbles are found under the paint, these are called blisters. This is often found in trim or sidings made of wood. Sunlight sometimes causes the surface being painted to heat up. Vapor that rises becomes trapped during the painting process and results in these blisters. This is often the case when wood is being painted on because it absorbs moisture easily.

To solve this, the paint has to be scraped away. The wood or surface to be painted on should be allowed to dry so that no moisture remains. Painting is then done in non-direct sunlight, so choosing when to paint is important. The air should also be non-humid.

Mildew

Fungus that feeds and grows on paint is called mildew. It can be seen as spots that are black, green, brown, or grey in color. They are found under eaves and soffits. These are areas that have lesser ventilation. There is also little or no direct sunlight, so growth of this fungus becomes possible. It may also be caused by not priming the wood prior to painting it.

The mildewed areas should be cleaned using trisodium sulphate solution. A bleach and water solution may also be used instead. The ration is three parts water to one part bleach. It is important to wear rubber gloves and proper eye protection when doing this. After removing the mildew, the solution should be left for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse the area then wash again with a detergent solution.

Chalking

When a powdery substance is found on the paint’s surface, this is called chalking. This normally occurs when paint is exposed to sunlight. If this occurs in the exterior of the house, the rain usually washes it away. Chalking may get out of hand at times. It then constitutes a problem if it affects the surrounding construction or people.

Excessive chalking is often caused by having too much thinner in the paint mix, using interior paint on the exterior, or not sealing porous surfaces before painting. Chalking can be removed easily, however, by power washing. Using the right paint and painting procedures is also important to prevent excessive chalking.

United Home Experts

These problems are rather straightforward to solve. Some of them can be prevented with the right knowledge and expertise. Those who do not have the time or inclination to do so may contact experts like United Home Experts to address their interior and exterior painting problems. This way they can be sure of a lasting and effective solution.