How to Fix a Peeling Plaster Ceiling

Why is your ceiling paint peeling? There are several factors that can cause this issue. It could have to with extra moisture or improper painting techniques and practices. We’ll list all the possible reasons further below.

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 or peeling paint and fill and plaster the surface. Then you’ll need to sand it until smooth, prime seal the damaged areas, then apply a new coat of paint. And as always, Home Painters Toronto is the painting company here to help with the process! We have your back when it comes to all the right painting tips as well as repair work. So, let’s dig in!

Top reasons for plaster ceiling paint peeling

There are a number of reasons why you might see paint on plaster ceilings that’s peeling in your home. Here are some of the top reasons:

• If you started painting your ceiling when there was high humidity or lots of moisture in the air, you might find your ceiling paint peeling from that.
• Another reason for ceiling paint peeling could be a water leak. Once that moisture gets into the ceiling, it will make itself known in various ways. You might see some water marks or the paint may simply start to peel or bubble up.
• If you’re looking at ceiling paint peeling in your bathroom, it could have to do with a build up of soap and scum that has caused the peeling. You might see this especially around the shower or bathroom, toilet or sink area. This can occur in the kitchen as well.
• Always be careful and watch your candles after you light them! If there has been lots of smoke or even fire damage, you will definitely take notice on your ceiling.
• Has it been 10+ years since you’ve painted your ceiling? Like anything else, paint does age. You might see some ceiling paint peeling from normal wear and tear as well.
• If you find that you have peeling paint on walls, check out this blog for help to fix it!

Always protect your floors and furniture

As with anything, there are a few steps to the process of fixing a peeling plaster ceiling. Here’s what you need to do to properly protect your furniture and flooring prior to repairing peeling plaster ceiling:

• 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.
• If you take the time to properly cover up and protect your flooring and furniture, you won’t be left with any clean-up afterwards! No one likes cleaning up paint spills.

Materials needed to fix a peeling plaster ceiling:

Safety first 

• Safety is the most important part of any home painting or renovation jobs.
• You can always ask a friend to help! This will ensure there are always two people around, which is important for using ladders and doing work on the ceiling.
• If you are doing this job yourself, remember that old paint may contain lead. It can be dangerous. If you’re super worried about this, always consult a professional painting company.
• Always equip yourself with the proper safety gear. Use a face mask to avoid breathing in the dust. Goggles are a good idea as well. The primer or paint could drip down on you while you paint. This has the potential of causing long term damage.
• Use a stepladder to reach up to the ceiling for repair work. Always get someone to hold on to it for you to make sure it’s stabilized and you’re safe.

Fixing Plaster Ceiling Paint Peeling

• First, you have to prepare the surface so the new ceiling 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 plaster 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 more level.
• Leave the filler to properly dry for an hour or two.
• Once it’s dry, go in with a 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 so there are no bumps.

Primer is vital for protection from peeling

• Primer stops moisture damage and paint peeling on the ceiling 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.
• If it’s the ceiling in your bathroom, we suggest Benjamin Moore’s Fresh Start Primer. It’s mildew resistant, fast drying and offers great adhesion.
• Apply the primer of choice to your ceiling with a paint roller.
• Make sure you get all the edges.
• Let the primer dry completely before you continue with any ceiling paint.

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 interior paint, there will be a noticeable difference in color from age and weathering.
• Sherwin Williams Duration Home Interior Acrylic Latex Paint is a good paint and primer in one. It’s recommended for ceilings in a satin finish.
• Apply a layer of paint with a roller. It’s often best to start in the corner and work your way from there.
• You can use a smaller paint brush for the edges near the walls.
• Leave the first coat some time to dry. At least 4 – 6 hours is recommended. If you have a full day, that’s even better.
• Then apply a second coat of interior paint to your ceiling.

The best interior ceiling paint 

As usual, it really makes a difference when doing interior painting to go with the best interior house paint on the market. After all, you want it to last a number of years and you want your ceiling to look its best. After all, it can be considered the fifth wall in a room! One of the best interior ceiling paints out there is Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint. It works exceptionally well to hide any flaws, it’s low VOC and offers the flattest finish Benjamin Moore has to offer. It’s important to find a good paint for ceilings that hides imperfections because they can often be highlighted if you use the wrong gloss level.

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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, why not let Home Painters Toronto take care of it for you? With over 30 years of experience as a top rated Toronto Painter in home painting and renovation, our team of house painters 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. And don’t forget to follow us on our social media channels below!