Flaking paint/plaster

[Egg1]

Hi, can anyone advise how to solve this please. I have sanded it down and painted in the past but the problem keeps arising. Thanks

Untitled

• Egg1
• 18 Nov 2013
• 1

 

[kbdiy]

That's a damp problem of some description. Where is this wall in relation to the outside/ground/plumbing or anything else capable of introducing water?

 

[Egg1]

The wall is what would have been the outside corner of the house until the kitchen extension was built but as it is now, it is an internal wall.
There are no pipes that could be causing the damp.
Any ideas then? I'm leaning towards rising damp but seems strange on that one corner?

 

[TheDec]

Tell me if you rub your hand over that area do you get a chalky powdery residue on your fingers.

Dec

 

[Egg1]

It's difficult to say with the paint coming off aswell but I would say yes.
What are you thinking?
Would using an oil based undercoat help matters?

Thanks Rich

 

[TheDec]

Rich,

What I believe you have there is efflorescence, this is where salts become activated thus causing the breakdown of painted surfaces..

Firstly do not wet the area. scrape back any loose paintwork dust off the area and apply one coat of alkali resisting primer, when dry do any filling required and sand to achieve uniformity, again dust off and mist the area with a thinned emulsion. you should then be ok to continue.

Dec

 

[Egg1]

Thanks Dec. Will give that a try then.
Also, can I use any general purpose filler?

 

[TheDec]

Yes an all purpose filler would be ok, hope it works out ok for you.

Dec