Why is paint peeling on the ceiling?

[Eganmm]

Firstly, I have had the roof inspected to see if there are broken tiles. I will now outline the issues concerning the bedroom. Approximately one year ago, I accessed a family member's bedroom, where the occupant is a heavy smoker. The walls and ceiling exhibited a yellow discoloration, and there was a moisture stain on the ceiling. I had the damaged tiles replaced, and a professional painter subsequently repainted the room. However, six months later, the paint on the ceiling began to blister, with bubbles and cracks forming. The first signs of bubbling appeared near the ceiling light fixture, and they have since spread across the entire ceiling. The individual smokes with all windows open. I had a roof tiler reassess the roof, and it was determined that there were no issues. In the second room, my dining room, the ceiling near the window is experiencing peeling paint Where it is peeling is right on the ceiling skirting. It was painted 4 years ago.

[EricL]

Hello @Eganmm 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about paint. 

It sounds like you've taken several steps to address the issues with your ceilings, and it's great that you've had the roof thoroughly inspected to rule out any external water damage. Given the persistent problems you're describing, it seems likely that the issues with the paint could be related to moisture buildup or inadequate surface preparation prior to painting, rather than roof leaks.

In the bedroom, the yellow discoloration and subsequent blistering paint could be due to nicotine staining combined with trapped moisture, especially around the light fixture where heat could cause condensation. Even though the windows are open, smoking indoors can lead to surface contamination that affects paint adherence. To address this, you might consider cleaning the walls and ceiling thoroughly with a product like Zinsser DIF Concentrate to remove any residues before repainting. 

Following this, use a stain-blocking primer such as Zinsser B-I-N Primer Sealer, which is specifically designed to block odours and stains from bleeding through the paint. After priming, repaint with a quality paint like Dulux Wash & Wear to ensure durability and easy cleaning.

For the dining room, the peeling paint near the ceiling skirting could be a result of poor surface adhesion or moisture infiltration from condensation, especially if it's near a window where temperature fluctuations are common. Before repainting, remove any peeling paint and sand the area to create a smooth surface. Using a moisture-resistant primer like Taubmans 3 in 1 Sealer Primer Undercoat will help improve paint adherence and protect against future peeling. Finally, repaint with a moisture-resistant topcoat such as Taubmans Endure to provide a long-lasting finish.

Ensuring proper ventilation in both rooms can help reduce moisture buildup and improve air circulation, preventing future issues with paint blistering or peeling. With these steps, you should see better results and longer-lasting paintwork.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Eganmm]

Thank you for the information