Can You Paint Over Damp?

One of the first signs that you have a damp problem in your home is that paint will start to blister and detach from the surface of the wall. It can be tempting to simply paint over the damp patch to tidy up your wall, but there are multiple reasons why this isn’t a great idea, and you should address the cause before you carry out any repairs.

Why you shouldn’t paint over damp patches

Painting over damp patches might seem like a quick fix to hide unsightly marks on your walls or ceilings, but it can lead to more significant problems later. Here are some reasons why you should avoid this approach:

A fresh coat of paint will trap moisture in the wall

Painting over damp areas traps moisture inside the wall, which can worsen the damp problem. This can lead to structural damage over time as the moisture continues to affect the integrity of the wall.

Continued moisture will promote mould growth

Damp environments are ideal for mould growth. By painting over damp patches, you create a sealed environment where mould can thrive, potentially leading to health issues such as respiratory problems and allergies.

The paint will continue to peel

Without addressing the underlying cause of damp patches in your walls, the paint will not adhere correctly and will quickly start to blister again which will worsen the appearance of your walls.

Addressing the causes of damp

Painting over damp patches is merely a cosmetic solution. It doesn’t address the underlying issue causing the damp.

There are three main types of damp you may encounter in your home:

• Rising damp
• Penetrating damp
• Condensation damp

Rising damp occurs when the damp proof course in your exterior walls is damaged and water is drawn up into the walls by capillary action. Rising damp spreads upwards and may be worse during wet weather. The damp patches are confined to the bottom 1.2metres of your walls. Rising damp should be treated as an urgent repair, and a builder will need to replace the damp proof course in your walls to prevent the problem recuring.

Penetrating damp happens when water leaks into your home. The water may come through a hole in the ceiling, a gap around the window, or even from a leaking pipe. Penetrating damp will usually be found close to the source of the moisture, and depending on the source of the water, you may need to work with a builder or plumber to fix the issue.

Condensation damp is caused by high levels of humidity in your home. When moisture laden air meets a cold surface such as a wall or window, the water vapour is released and forms droplets that can soak into the underlying material and cause damp patches. Improving the ventilation in your home by ensuring that bathroom and kitchen extractor fans are working correctly reduces humidity and stops damp from forming. If condensation is forming away from an obvious source of moisture, then whole house ventilation systems such as EnviroVent ATMOS may be more appropriate. Getting advice from a ventilation specialist will help you find the best solution for your home.

Find out more

Stopping damp before it leads to other problems such as mould or structural damage to your home is important. Our local ventilation experts can visit your property to carry out a free home survey. Enter your postcode below to find a specialist in your area.