What Should You Do About Cracked Ceiling Paint?

Have you noticed cracked ceiling paint and unsure what the next step is to fix it? Don’t worry, we aren’t born as painting experts. Read further on.

Cracked ceiling paint is a real eyesore and if not fixed, will get only worse over time. Most homeowners face this issue at least once. When ceiling paint cracks, it is very annoying and it will reduce the overall value of your home. Having to look up at a cracked ceiling is not something any homeowner will like to see every day.

Cracked ceiling paint is an issue that many older homes face, but this problem also happens in newer houses. If you are faced with cracked ceiling paint, you have come to the right place. Below you will learn the common causes of cracking and how to fix the issue.

If you implement these tips, your home life will look a lot prettier.

1. Reducing Moisture in the Attic

One of the most common issues that cause cracked ceiling paint is moisture.

This moisture comes from the attic and slowly permeates into your ceiling. For those of you who have a drywall ceiling, moisture can move even faster into the paint.

Moisture will also cause other problems in your home including mold growth, which is a serious issue. But before you can do anything to stop the moisture, you will need to inspect your attic and find out the source. During your inspection, make sure to bring a flashlight so that you can see in dimly lit areas of the attic. Many attics are not floored so be very careful while moving around.

How to reduce moisture?

A great way to reduce moisture in the attic is by having it properly insulated. There are many different types of insulation to choose from and you will need to do your homework before making a purchase.

You may wish to have someone else install the insulation or do it on your own. Insulation has a moisture barrier that will keep your attic and home high and dry no matter what the weather outside is like.

Another great way to help keep moisture out of the attic is to install an attic fan. An attic fan will pull moisture out of the attic by reducing the amount of hot wet air that circulates inside.  This will help cool off your attic during the summer months. These fans can be manually started, or they can be set to turn on when the attic reaches a certain temperature.

2. Incompatible Paint

Moisture creates cracked ceiling paint, but there are other causes as well. One problem that comes up too often is incompatible paint.

If oil-based paint is applied directly on top of latex paint, then cracking will happen at some point. The reason cracking occurs is that latex paint is porous and will allow moisture to penetrate.

How to find compatible paint?

There are several differences between oil-based and latex paints that you should be aware of. Those who are not confident painters should leave this type of work to a professional.

By hiring a professional painter, you will get the job done right and will be able to avoid any issues with cracked ceiling paint. When you have someone else do the work for you, it will take a lot of stress away and better yet, you won’t have to worry about climbing ladders.

3. Patching Cracked Ceiling Paint

If your ceiling paint is cracking in only one location, you may be able to have it patched. This will save you a lot of money and you won’t have to worry about the job taking a long time.

How to patch paint?

A professional painter will be able to patch your ceiling easily. But remember that it is your job to make sure no moisture is coming from the attic. You will have to hire another contractor to fix any moisture issues you may have again.

4. Repainting the Entire Ceiling

A surefire way to get rid of a cracked ceiling paint is to hire a professional to come in and redo the entire job. Someone who does painting for a living will be able to accurately address any cracking issues that you may have. They will start by sanding down your ceiling and prepare it to be primed.

After the primer has dried, they will then be able to do the final coats of paint. This process will take more than one day so expect them to be in your home for at least a few days.

How to find the right painting contractor?

Before hiring anyone to paint the inside of your home, make sure that you do some research beforehand. There are several things that you need to consider during the hiring process.

Always make sure that the company you are interviewing has been in business for a least a few years. You will need to ask them if they are insured and have all the proper licenses that are required to do business in your state. This will give you peace of mind knowing that you and your property are protected in case something goes wrong during the job.

Finally, you will need to get a quote for the job in writing before any work begins. During this process, you will be able to calculate the cost of the job. The quote will include material costs and the price the painting contractor is going to charge you for the labor that will be carried out.

Next, you will be given a contract to sign that will not only protect the contractor but you, the homeowner, as well. By entering into a contract, the price will be set in stone, which will help you to avoid any hidden fees. If changes do need to be made to the contract, both parties will have to agree to the terms.

Conclusion

Now that you know more about what causes cracked ceiling paint and the steps to take to repair it, why not contact a professional today?

Remember that it is highly important to find the right person for the job. Working with a professional painter will help you get the results you are looking for. So if you have a cracked ceiling, do something about it before it gets any worse.