Why is my interior wall paint peeling?

Start with why it is peeling

Paint peels when it stops sticking, and it stops sticking for two reasons: it never bonded, or water got behind it. Everything in this guide follows from telling which one you have, because repainting without fixing the cause just repeats the peel.

Poor preparation is the usual culprit. Paint cracking on walls and ceilings happens due to a variety of causes, one of the most common being poor preparation of a surface prior to painting.^[1] That means paint rolled over dust, grease, soap film or a glossy old finish. Smoothing walls before painting is necessary for surfaces previously painted with a gloss or high-gloss paint.^[1]

Dampness is the second cause. Applying primer or paint to walls that are still damp can cause a host of issues, including blistering.^[1] Painting over wallpaper is a version of the same problem: Sherwin-Williams typically does not recommend it. "Moisture from the paint could cause blistering or peeling."^[5]

Check for moisture and mildew

If the peeling is in a bathroom, near a window, on an outside wall or under a ceiling stain, look for the water. The key to mold control is moisture control,^[3] and the same is true of paint. EPA says it is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.^[3]

Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.^[3] If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity.^[3] In practice that means running the bath fan during and after showers, venting the dryer outdoors, and fixing leaks before touching the paint.

Mildew needs special care. Never paint over mildew—it will grow through new paint.^[1] EPA is blunt about the result: paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel.^[3] Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, dry them completely, and only then repaint.^[3]

Before you scrape: is the house older than 1978?

Approximately three-quarters of the homes in the United States built before 1978 still contain some lead-based paint.^[4] Any renovation, repair or painting project in a pre-1978 home or building that has lead-based paint can easily create dangerous lead dust.^[4] Scraping and sanding peeling paint is exactly that kind of work.

In general, the RRP Rule does not apply to homeowners doing RRP projects in their own pre-1978 homes. It does apply if you rent all or part of your home.^[4] Even so, EPA recommends that homeowners hire a lead-safe certified contractor who is certified and trained in lead-safe work practices.^[4] If your house is older than that, follow that advice before you scrape or sand.

Fixing it, in order

Once the moisture is dealt with and the house is not a lead concern, the repair is routine. Painting over cracked paint is a bad idea; it is important to remove any flakes from the surface via sanding or scraping before repainting.^[1] Scrape until the edge of the sound paint will not lift, then sand the edges so the repair does not show as a ridge.

Wash the wall with a sponge and warm water, or with a grease-cutting detergent and clean water in a kitchen, and let it dry thoroughly.^[1] For previously painted water-based paint, sand with a fine-grit sandpaper. For oil-based paint, a medium-grit sandpaper (100- to 150-grit) should be used.^[1] Wipe the dust off with a damp cloth.

Prime the bare spots, then repaint. We recommend applying at least two coats of your top coat product for optimal hide and color development.^[2] If the peeled area is large, prime and paint the whole wall corner to corner so the repair does not show.

Stop and call a pro if

• The house was built before 1978 and the paint needs scraping or sanding. Hire a lead-safe certified contractor.^[4]
• The wall is soft, stained, damp or keeps getting wet. That is a leak or a moisture problem, and it needs a plumber, roofer or moisture specialist before any paint goes on.
• Dark, fuzzy or musty growth is spreading after you have cleaned it and dried the wall.
• The peeling keeps coming back in the same place after a proper repair.

Getting help in Virginia

Once the cause is fixed, the repaint is a small job for most painters. Read how to paint a room without getting paint on the ceiling for clean edges, how much it costs to paint a room in Virginia, and whether a painter needs a licence in Virginia. Browse painting pros or more painting answers.

When you are ready, describe the repair once and local painters quote it.