Flaking Paint

Here are tips and suggestions on how to correct common paint problems. Homeowners all over the country experience these types of problems. Take the time to read the instructions carefully and follow them, and you can correct many of the paint problems around your home.

Paint flaking is caused by moisture that collects behind the painted surface. Moisture enters the wood siding from the unpainted side. The absorbing and drying of the moisture causes repeated swelling and shrinking, thus breaking the paint film and causing it to pull away from the wood surface.

Step 1: Locate the Source: The first step is locating the source of the moisture. Check the area for leakage from the gutters or eaves of the house. If the flaking paint is near a bathroom or kitchen, the pipes may be sweating or leaking, or excess heat may be causing condensation.

Step 2: Correcting Moisture Build-Up: You may need to install attic louvers, moisture vents or exhaust fans to correct the build-up of moisture.

Step 3: Remove the Flaking Paint: Scrape and sand away all flaking paint. Remove the paint as far as 12" in all directions beyond the flaking area.

Step 4: Sand the surface down to the unpainted wood, and spot prime the area with a good grade of undercoat.

Step 5: Protect the area against moisture by caulking all seams, holes and cracks that appear in the freshly sanded area.

Step 6: After the caulking compound has thoroughly dried, apply at least one coat of a top-quality house paint according to the manufacturer's directions. You may need to apply two coats. These steps should completely resolve the problem.

Courtesy of the National Retail Hardware Association - www.nrha.org