5 Causes Of Blistering Exterior Paint

Bubbling paint on your home's exterior looks bad and can be a sign of underlying damage. Paint can bubble for a variety of reasons, and by learning about them, you can troubleshoot the problem and plan for a repair.

1. Heat

Too much heat causes the surface of the paint to dry too quickly while the paint beneath is still wet, effectively locking the moisture vapor inside. The ideal time for exterior painting is a day with moderate temperatures, and one should avoid painting a wall when the sun is drying directly upon it. Otherwise, the paint must be scraped and reapplied.

2. Moisture

Avoid painting the exterior during damp, humid weather or after recent rainfall. Any moisture in the air or on the wood can become trapped in the paint as it dries. On warm days, the trapped moisture will attempt to evaporate out of the paint, leading to bubbles in the surface. When possible, schedule painting after a stretch of dry days that are expected to be followed by a few more dry days.

3. Rot

Paint applied over wood that is beginning to suffer from rot will not adhere properly. You may not be able to spot the early stages of rot visually, but checking the condition of the wood before painting is simple. Press a flathead screwdriver tip gently into a siding board. If it sinks in easily, there is rot and trapped moisture in the wood. Any rotten boards must be replaced before painting.

4. Dirt

The exterior of the house will have dirt and dust on it, which must be removed before painting. Washing can be as simple as hosing it off or using a pressure washer for badly soiled walls. Washing should be followed up with sanding, which roughens up any smooth areas so the paint will adhere better. Once cleaned, allow the walls to dry before painting.

5. Primer

Using no primer or the wrong type of planter can lead to blistering. Primer creates a barrier between any moisture that gets into the wood and the paint. It also forms a surface that paint adheres to better, thus reducing the chances of blistering. Further, avoid mixing paint types between primer and paint. If you use a water-based primer, then you must use a water-based paint or there may be blistering

Contact an exterior painting service for more information about residential exterior painting.


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