“Help. My ceiling is peeling!”. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten this call from clients who just don’t know what to do with their old ceiling paint peeling.
Why is ceiling paint peeling? There are several factors that can cause ceiling paint peeling. It could be because of a water leak, smoke, a fire, being exposed to high humidity, or simply wear and tear from old age. Luckily, no matter the cause the repairing process for peeling paint on ceiling is the similar. You will need to remove all of the flaking/peeling paint/paint blisters, fill and plaster the surface, sand it until smooth, prime seal the damaged areas, then apply a new coat of paint. And as always, we here at Home Painters Toronto is the painting company here to help with the process!
How to Remove ceiling paint peeling
Before you get started, remove all of the furniture from the room. If you can’t do this, move it all to the middle of the room and spread drop sheets over them. Tape the drop sheets to the base of the furniture and tuck the corners under any legs to be sure that all surfaces are well protected. Use drop sheets on the floor as well – whether it’s hardwood, laminate, or carpet, no one likes cleaning up paint spills!
Safety First
- Safety is the most important part of any home renovation jobs. Get a friend to help.
- If you’re doing this job yourself, remember that old paint may contain lead. It can be dangerous.
- Use a face mask to avoid breathing in the dust.
- Use a stepladder. If possible, get somebody to hold it for you.
- The primer or paint could drip down on you while you paint. This has the potential of causing long term damage. Use goggles to protect your eyes.
Preparation to Fix Ceiling Paint peeling
- First you have to prepare the surface so the new paint will have something solid to stick to.
- Stand on a ladder and scrape off all the loose peeling paint using a putty knife or scraper.
- Use a knife to pry off the peeling paint that is still stuck to the surface area. Hold a pan under the knife to stop the paint from falling directly on the floor and leaving a mess to clean up later.
- Fill and plaster the damaged areas so its somewhat level.
- Sand the surface with medium-grit then fine grit sandpaper to eliminate the blemishes until smooth.
- Blemishes can be hard to see, even in daylight. Use a flashlight to spot imperfections then sand them down.
A Primer on Primer
- Primer stops moisture damage and ceiling paint peeling from happening again. This increases the lifespan of your new paint. If water problems are common, it’s best to use an oil-based primer, since this will leave absolutely no room for any moisture. We recommend the Kilz Odour-less Oil Primer or Zinser works well also.
- Apply the primer to the ceiling with a paint roller.
- Make sure you get all the edges.
- Let the primer dry completely before you continue.
Time to Paint the Ceiling
- We always recommend that you repaint the entire ceiling, not just the patch that you just repaired because of peeling paint. Even if you’re using the same colour, brand, and finish of paint, there will be a noticeable difference in color from age and weathering.
- Apply a layer of paint with a roller and smaller brush for the edges and corners.
- Leave the first coat some time to dry, and then apply a second coat.
Now your ceiling is patched and ready!
That’s all there is to it! But if you don’t find this kind of work a-peeling paint, why not let Home Painters Toronto take care of it for you?
With over 25 years of experience as a top rated Toronto Painter in home restoration and renovation, we can get this done for you on time and efficiently, making your ceiling look as good as it ever has. Call us at 416-494-9095 or email us at Brian@HomePaintersToronto.com to get a FREE quote for your peeling ceiling repair.
