How can I fix my ceiling peeling issue that has unexpectedly arisen in multiple rooms after painting, despite running a dehumidifier and having a newer exhaust fan?
Asked by Lucas Andersen 
4 months ago
Last Updated: July 26, 2024
So, I painted my ceiling and now it’s acting up. It’s especially bad in the bathroom, but I’m noticing it in other rooms too. We’ve got a new exhaust fan and we use a dehumidifier in the summer. I’ve been in this house for 20 years and this is a new issue. What should I do about it?
Is the roof leaking?
For sure due to the moisture
Hey, can you bring that light closer and check up there? It seems like there’s water… I’d say there might be a roof leak if this is the top floor.
Do you have a window or exhaust fan in the bathroom? It seems like the steam from hot showers may be causing the issue.
Oh hey, is definitely coming over. I just got a new exhaust fan.
Before painting, did you remember to prime the walls with drywall primer? Ceilings are typically textured and need to be primed before painting to prevent the paint from separating from the drywall.
It was painted previously. I was looking for advice from a drywall expert on what steps to take.
Is the exhaust fan working properly? Try turning it on and holding a couple of toilet paper squares up to the intake grill to see if they get sucked towards it.
If the ventilation system in the bathroom is functioning properly, it’s possible that the paint isn’t adhering well to the old surface. You might want to consider using specialized bathroom paint for better results. The current paint appears to have a flat finish and could be prone to moisture absorption.
I encountered a similar problem with my bathroom before I renovated it. Even 10+ years post-renovation, the paint on the ceiling is still holding up well. After replacing the sheetrock, I primed and painted with Perma-White. For the walls, I opted for indoor/outdoor paint.
Is the paint you used cheap? My bathroom also had peeling paint issues, but I attribute it to using ceiling paint from a discount store.
Ben Moore is joining .
Considering it’s a bathroom, could there have been a lot of hairspray in that area before you painted?
Mixing paints, such as oil based over water based, can lead to peeling because they cannot adhere properly.
Negative
It seems like you may not have prepped correctly.
It’s possible that moisture is seeping into the texture material and there’s an excessively thick layer of paint. Textures typically aren’t suitable for bathrooms. Why not do yourself a favor and scrape it all off to start fresh?