One aspect of house painting in San Ramon that everyone wants to avoid is blistering paint on the exterior of the home. Knowing what causes these blisters is a key part of knowing how to prevent them from happening. The following information will also provide suggestions on what you can do to fix them.

First, what is a blister? A blister in the paint is what we call it when something causes the top layer of paint to separate from the layer beneath it. It is not always possible to say ahead of time that blistering will happen, but there are ways to help make it less likely.

One of the main things that cause blistering is moisture. Whether the moisture is already there, such as when it has been raining or when it has not been dried properly, or whether it comes from underneath, making sure all areas around the area being painted are dry – and will be dry – is important. If it tends to be humid in the area where you are painting – such as a basement or bathroom – then particular care should be taken that will remove as much moisture from the room while you are painting.

Bubbles or blisters can also occur when you mix paint types, especially on an exterior surface. If your wall has oil-based paint already on it, you should use oil-based paint to repaint rather than latex. Since heat causes expansion, and latex and oil paints respond differently, the result will be blistered and peeling paint.

Another issue with heat happens when you paint layers quickly. The top layer may dry before lower layers, resulting in paint solvents that become vapor under the top layer. Naturally, this results in bubbles or blisters. It is advisable to avoid painting if the temperature is more than 85º Fahrenheit.

Dirt is a common culprit if the paint is bubbling. When paint is applied over dirty areas, it will change as it dries, shrinking just enough that sections that are not adhered properly because of dirt will pull up off the surface below.

The best way to treat blisters or bubbles is to scrape off the affected area, sand, be sure it is completely dry, and then repaint. If the problem recurs, check behind the wall (inside the basement or room) to be sure there is not a moisture issue that is causing the blistering.

While there may not be a completely foolproof way to prevent blisters and bubbles when you are house painting in San Ramon, knowing the usual causes can help you do your best to avoid them.