Exterior Painting Guide: Bubbling Paint
Posted on: 12 March 2021
Bubbling paint on your home's exterior is not a problem to ignore. Not only is it unattractive, but it can also lead to other problems with your exterior siding and trim.
Causes of Bubbled Paint
Paint bubbles on exterior surfaces in response to moisture and weathering. Painted wood surfaces are at the highest risk of bubbling simply because wood is more likely to absorb moisture. Moisture gets into the wood through an area with missing or damaged paint.
Damp beneath the paint layer, in other words between the paint and the wood, causes the paint to separate from the wood. It rarely separates completely or evenly, so you end up with the bubbled paint surface. Over time, the bubbles break open and peel back, increasing the amount of exposed wood so that more moisture soaks in. The result? Even more severe bubbling and peeling of the paint.
Damage Concerns
Appearance is likely the first concern when bubbling paint is noticed. Bubbling is unattractive in its initial stages, and it only becomes worse as the paint begins to crack and peel. Further, the damage rarely stays localized. Since more bubbling leads to increased moisture absorption, the bubbling will quickly spread over the entire exterior surface whether it's your siding or a piece of trim.
Another problem is what bubbling indicates — that there is moisture in the wood beneath. Damp wood will eventually begin to rot and decay, which means you will have to replace the siding or trim. Bubbling paint may indicate that rot has already set in. If the bubbling is still only affecting a small area, quick action may prevent the problem from spreading or becoming worse.
Repair and Restoration
Your exterior painters will begin by checking the state of the wood. If they find soft boards or trim pieces, these will need to be replaced before further repairs can be made. The next step is removing the bubbling paint, which is done either by scraping it off or with a pressure washer.
Once the paint is removed, your exterior painting crew will inspect the walls for minor damage. They may sand areas smooth or use wood putty to create patches for small holes and chips in the siding and trim. Once this is done, all that is left is to apply a good primer, and then follow that up with a couple of coats of a quality exterior paint.
Contact an exterior painting service for more help.
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