Common Paint Problems (Part II)

Last week we covered a few common paint failures to look out for around your property. We were surprised by the email feedback we received from all of you who said you wished you'd known what to look for before the problems started. So today we'll cover a few more basic problems to finish off the list, and then next week I'll move on to how to address these issues, before they happen.

Last week we covered a few common paint failures to look out for around your property. We were surprised by the email feedback we received from all of you who said you wished you'd known what to look for before the problems started. So today we'll cover a few more basic problems to finish off the list, and then next week I'll move on to how to address these issues, before they happen.

Here's part two of the list, picking up where we left off...

Flaking: lifting and breaking away of small pieces of paint (similar to peeling, but in smaller pieces)

Possible causes:
Application of paint without primer
Applying coatings too thinly
Hardening of oil-based paints during the aging process

Nailhead popping and rusting: nails that protrude from the surface or bleed rust

Possible causes: Popping caused by structural movement or improper installation Bleeding caused by ungalvanized nails, damaged galvanized nails, or painting over rusted nails without proper priming.

Peeling: detachment of paint from the underlying surface, usually in ribbons, sheets, or large pieces.

Possible causes:
Excessive moisture from behind or on top of the paint (ex. wet wood or vegetation too close to the wood)
Painting over contaminants
Applying latex paint over hard, glossy surfaces without proper preparation

Sagging/Curtaining: tears or droplets of paint of uneven thickness formed by the downward movement of paint on a vertical surface.

Possible Causes:
Excessive thinning of paint
Applying too thick a coat of paint
Hard or glossy surface unable to hold the paint

Vinyl siding warp: warping of vinyl siding panels resulting from repainting with a darker colour than the original. The darker colour absorbs more heat than the previous and the heat causes the vinyl to warp or buckle.

In upcoming posts we'll be discussing the basics of paint preparation and how to fix some of the problems mentioned above. Many of the issues we see on a daily basis can easily be prevented with the right kind of preparation. By the end of this series, we hope you'll be able to spot the good paint jobs from the bad and will be on your way to stress free building management!