How Moisture Can Ruin a Paint Job

Water is the biggest enemy of paint. Most peeling, blistering, mildew, and wood rot can be traced back to moisture. Even a high-quality paint job will fail early if water is getting into the surface behind it.

How Moisture Gets Behind Paint

From outside:

• Cracked or missing caulk around windows, doors, and trim
• Clogged or leaking gutters spilling water down siding and fascia
• Missing or damaged flashing at roof lines and over windows
• Sprinklers spraying the siding
• Soil, mulch, or plants touching the bottom of siding
• Wood trim installed too close to roofs, decks, or the ground

From inside:

• Bathrooms and laundry rooms without good ventilation
• Kitchens with heavy cooking moisture
• Humid crawl spaces or basements
• Gaps in the vapor barrier of exterior walls

What Moisture Does to Paint

• Peeling: wood swells and shrinks as it gets wet and dries, pushing paint off
• Blistering: water vapor trapped behind paint lifts it into bubbles
• Mildew: dark spots grow in damp, shaded areas
• Wood rot: constant moisture breaks down wood fibers, especially on sills and trim
• Stains and efflorescence: water carries minerals and tannins to the surface

Signs of a Moisture Problem

• Peeling concentrated in one area, especially below gutters or around windows
• Paint failing on the wall outside a bathroom or kitchen
• Soft spots in trim or siding
• Mildew that keeps coming back
• Stains below windows or along the bottom of walls

Fix the Water First

Painting over a moisture problem only hides it for a short time. Before repainting:

1. Find the water source 2. Repair gutters, flashing, caulk, or ventilation as needed 3. Replace or repair damaged wood 4. Let the area dry completely, confirmed with a moisture meter 5. Prime bare wood and apply quality paint

Atlanta's Humidity Adds Pressure

Humid summers and frequent storms mean surfaces here stay damp longer. Shaded north walls and areas under trees are especially vulnerable to mildew and slow drying.

The STRIPES Takeaway

Paint can only protect a dry surface. Finding and fixing the moisture source first is the difference between a repair that lasts and one that peels again within a year.

Planning an Exterior Painting Project in Atlanta?

STRIPES PAINTING CO. paints and protects home exteriors throughout the Atlanta area, with careful prep and quality products. Contact us to schedule a free estimate.

STRIPES PAINTING CO. - Built on Detail.