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

[Eganmm]

Regardless of the ongoing sanding and repainting efforts, spiderweb cracks continue to surface in the bedroom ceiling. The reason for this is that the plaster has absorbed cigarette smoke. The painter has mentioned that the only way forward is to hire a plasterer to install a sheet of plaster over the existing plasterboard. However, I have read and heard that this could potentially cause problems with the cornices, such as misalignment and cracking at the joints. How likely are these issues to occur, and what can be done if it happens again? I don't want to have remove the ceiling

[EricL]

Hello @Eganmm 

You're right to be cautious about covering the existing ceiling plasterboard with a new sheet, especially when cornices are involved. Spiderweb cracks reappearing even after sanding and repainting suggests a deeper issue, and in your case, the smoke absorption has likely weakened the plaster’s bond and surface integrity. Your painter is correct that overlaying the ceiling is a practical solution, but it does come with challenges.

The likelihood of cornice issues such as cracking, detachment, or visible misalignment is quite real, especially if the new plasterboard isn't installed with precision. The most common problem is a visible step or gap where the new sheet meets the cornices. This happens because you're effectively lowering the ceiling height by the thickness of the new board (usually 10–13 mm), which breaks the visual and physical alignment with the original cornice profile.

To minimise this, a good plasterer will:

• Scribe or cut back the new sheet to fit snugly just up to or just behind the cornices.
   
• Use adhesive and screws to ensure strong contact with ceiling joists and reduce movement.
   
• Apply a fibreglass tape and flexible compound at the junctions to help prevent future cracks.
   
• In some cases, recommend shadowline trims or a thin decorative trim below the cornice to visually mask any slight misalignment.

If cracks do reappear at the cornice after the new sheet is installed, they can usually be repaired with a flexible acrylic gap filler (like Selleys No More Gaps) or a flexible cornice adhesive, followed by repainting with a high-quality stain-blocking primer and ceiling paint.

To avoid having to remove the ceiling altogether, the most important thing is to hire a plasterer who has specific experience overlaying ceilings without removing cornices. Ask for examples of previous work or references if you're unsure. It’s a delicate job, but very achievable with the right technique.

Let me call on our experienced members @Nailbag and @Dave-1 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Eganmm]

Thank you so much for this information

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @Eganmm 

I must admit I havnt come across the spider cracks that you have descibed 😕 That is a pain. As you have tried to repair them and havnt been succesful and the plasterer has sugested a new sheet over the top (something I would really not like long term) I would be tempted to remove the ceiling and replace with new plaster, I am not sure what the price difference between the remo0ve or put up a cover sheet type deal. If its not too big a price difference I would go for the replacement 😕 Not a great answer but sometimes getting rid of an issue at the start compared to down the track when the cornice dosnt look quiet right or the spider cracks return might be money better spent.

Would love to see a photo of the spider cracks before you make a decision, for future reference but at the same time to make sure we are all on the same page.

Dave

[AlanM52]

HI Eganmm,

I also would like to see a photo, actually a few from different angles with lighting in mind.

I have never come across spiderweb cracks caused by smoking and I have been in many homes that have smokers.

There must be some way to prep and seal before painting?

Cheers,

Alan

[Nailbag]

Hi @Eganmm 

I agree with @Dave-1 in that the best long term solution would be to do the job properly and replace the ceiling and cornice. As major a job it might sound, it actually isn't. A decent plasterer could have this done in a few hours, only needing to come back to finish stoping up and installing the new cornice. You can save some mess, by removing all the insulation above and arranging for an electrician to make save the lighting connections.

Then it's up to you if you want bro repaint it yourself or get the painter back. It will need priming before 2-3 coats of ceiling white.

Nailbag

[Eganmm]

Hi Nailbag,

Behind my ceiling, there are insulation bats. If I were to remove the ceiling, what would happen to these bats, and how would the floors in the room be affected by the ceiling's removal? Additionally, I have a wardrobe from the 60s style in the room (which is not built-in) and a Queen size bed that I cannot remove from the room. Furthermore, what actions would need to be taken regarding the batten light in the room and the electrical wiring?