Peeling Paint — Causes and How to Fix It
Fix peeling, bubbling, or flaking paint. Proper prep and painting techniques for lasting results.
Time Estimate
⏱️ 2-4 hours per area
DIY Cost
💰 $20-50 DIY / $200-500 pro per room
Tools Needed
🧰 Scraper, Sandpaper, Primer, Paint
Paint peeling off walls or ceilings looks bad and will get worse if you don’t fix it. The key is prep work — painting over peeling paint just adds to the problem.
Why Paint Peels
Moisture
The #1 cause. Water behind the paint (from leaks, condensation, or humidity) breaks the bond.
Common in: Bathrooms, kitchens, basements, around windows.
Poor Prep
Paint won’t stick to dirty, glossy, or dusty surfaces.
Incompatible Paint
Oil over latex (without primer) or vice versa can fail.
Age
Even properly applied paint eventually fails. Exterior paint lasts 5-10 years, interior 7-15.
How to Fix It Right
Step 1: Address the Cause
If moisture caused the peeling, fix the source first (leak, ventilation, humidity control). Otherwise, it will happen again.
Step 2: Remove Loose Paint
- Scrape away all loose and peeling paint
- Use a paint scraper, putty knife, or wire brush
- Remove until you reach solidly adhered paint
Important: For homes built before 1978, paint may contain lead. Test before scraping, and use proper precautions.
Step 3: Sand the Edges
Sand the edges where old paint meets bare surface. You want a smooth transition, not a ridge.
Step 4: Clean and Dry
Wipe down with a damp cloth to remove dust. Let dry completely.
Step 5: Prime
Apply primer to bare areas:
- Bare drywall: drywall primer
- Bare wood: wood primer
- Stained areas: stain-blocking primer
- Over oil-based paint: bonding primer
Let primer dry according to label directions.
Step 6: Paint
Apply 2 coats of quality paint, allowing proper dry time between coats.
Special Cases
Bathroom/Kitchen Peeling
Use mold-resistant primer and paint designed for high-humidity areas. Ensure proper ventilation (run exhaust fan).
Exterior Peeling
More challenging — involves weather exposure. Scrape, sand, prime, and use quality exterior paint. Large jobs may warrant professional help.
Ceiling Peeling
Often moisture-related. Fix any leaks, prime with stain-blocking primer, and repaint.
When to Call a Pro
- Large areas of peeling (whole rooms)
- Lead paint concerns
- You can’t identify/fix the moisture source
- High ceilings or difficult access
- Exterior painting
Cost: $200-500+ per room for professional painting.
The Bottom Line
Peeling paint needs proper repair: remove all loose paint, prime bare spots, then repaint. Skipping prep means you’ll be doing it again soon. And if moisture caused the problem, fix the water source first — otherwise you’re just painting over a recurring problem.