How can we prevent moisture-related ceiling cracking in our bathroom without having to replace the entire ceiling?
Hey there, looking for some advice! So, we’ve painted the bathroom a few times, but the ceiling keeps cracking because of moisture. Quick backstory: we built the house new about 9 years ago, it’s a modular, and we added a glass shower after the house was delivered.
We tried installing a stronger ceiling fan, used BIN, and even scraped and spackled the cracks. We also aired out the room for weeks and used heaters to make sure there was no trapped moisture. However, after just a week of showering in there, the cracks are back.
We’re thinking of tiling above the shower, but now the cracks are appearing over the tub too. It would look weird to have tile in one spot and not the other. Or we could replace the entire ceiling, but that’s not our first choice.
We did have mold on the ceiling from shower moisture before, and we took care of that. I’m worried about that happening again.
Any suggestions or similar experiences? Thanks so much in advance! 😊😊
Semi-gloss paint. You can scrape it, sand it, and then paint over it. Moisture is seeping through the paint, but using semi-gloss will create a stronger barrier against it.
It seems like you’re using a water-based paint over an oil-based one.
You might want to consider getting a dehumidifier for the bathroom. We got a small one on Amazon and it has worked wonders for us. It’s amazing how much moisture it collects when left on 24/7.
Oh wow! This is a great idea! Also, consider adding a humidity control sensor switch to your fan. It will turn on automatically during the day. Make sure your fan vents to the outside too, if not, it should be fixed.
While moisture could be a factor, it seems like the real issue is with bonding. Remove any loose material, then apply a primer called Pro_999 to the entire ceiling before doing any drywall work or painting. This primer is a milky color and is great for problem areas like this. Many professionals use it for prep work, and it helps with adhesion when applying drywall mud or paint. You can find it in the paint department at Lowes or Home Depot.
I removed all of mine, applied a thin layer of skim coat, used an oil-based primer before painting. It has held up well for years!
Using BIN may not be the best choice in this situation, especially if shellac was already applied, as it does not perform well in moist environments.
Doesn’t shellac have issues with moisture?
Nope, we used to use that primer for cabinets before painting, but now it’s been shown that it doesn’t hold up well against moisture.
I’m glad to hear that. A few years back, I used a lot of pigmented shellac to seal subfloors and it did a fantastic job getting rid of pet smells. I also thought it was water resistant.
I’ve also used it on subfloors and it works wonders as a primer. We still use it for spot priming and to seal walls that have smoke damage. While it might be suitable for bathrooms, it’s worth noting that it’s not ideal for cabinets that may come into contact with water spills.
Is it recommended to go with the PRO-99/Rx-35 that everyone is discussing here?
Personally, I haven’t tried it myself, but I’ve heard great things about it. The effectiveness really depends on your specific needs. For bathroom projects, there are primers available that offer excellent adhesion as well. Stix is known for its great adhesion, while PVA primer is recommended for new drywall.
Got it, . Appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions!
No worries, !
Bill Downing
I prefer using exterior paint for all the bathrooms
I had a similar issue in my bathroom and I have a fan installed. It seems to be a drywall seam. I’ve attempted sanding, using kilz, painting – but none of those methods have worked.
Here’s a tip before re-taping and mudding. This method always works in situations like this. 2 out of 3 times, it’s a bonding issue rather than a moisture issue.
Wow, that’s a spacious bathroom! I would suggest adding another fan closer to the shower. You should be able to connect them to the same switch…
You didn’t specify what kind of paint you used, like latex, oil, gloss, etc. Some paints are specially made for wet areas like bathrooms. Make sure to properly prepare the surfaces in a moisture-prone area like a bathroom before painting. You’ll probably need to prime the surface depending on the type of paint you choose. Make sure to use paint that is suitable for bathrooms. Repaint and you should be good to go. I recommend Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore paint. Just let them know what you’re painting and they’ll assist you.
Try placing a dehumidifier in the bathroom and closing the entry door. This will help remove excess moisture. Remember to keep the toilet lid closed and store used towels and washcloths in a separate room to allow them to dry properly.
I suggest removing the drywall above the shower completely to check for any issues, then replacing it with moisture-resistant purple drywall. Simply treating the existing drywall may not be sufficient. It’s possible that the purple drywall wasn’t originally used in this area during construction.
If you’ve applied multiple coats of paint over poorly bonded paint on the drywall, adding more layers won’t fix the root problem. If you can’t strip it all off and re-prime, you might consider replacing the drywall or adding another layer on top. Make sure to prime it properly with pva primer and use high-quality paint like SW Duration to avoid any issues.