Paint running off walls

ceridwen

Paint has started running off the walls a bit in one of my rooms. I can see little "tracks" of running paint on one of my bathroom walls and "run off" paint streaks from the wall appearing at intervals on the skirting board beneath it.

It was painted a couple of years or so ago - and I used a standard quality paint (ie Dulux) that I had in - so it shouldnt be because of a fault in the paint quality.

This only seems to happen in particularly cold weather (like now for instance) and I think must be something to do with condensation and the wall in question being an outside wall.

I DO air the bathroom after my daily "clean up" to get rid of the steam - so its not that. I am wondering if this is anything to do with the fact that I air my washing in the bathroom - so the extra moisture in the air from that affects that wall?

Is there any sort of "fixative" type stuff I could wipe on that wall to stop this happening - or any other useful suggestions either please?

Antispam

Its condensation. Drying clothes in the room want help

Get a dehumidifier or dry clothes outside when possible, obviously not when its cold

27col

You have answered your own question as to the cause of your problem.
Raising the air temperature in the bathroom will make it less prone to condensation and obviously, and not introducing extra water by drying clothes will reduce the condensation somewhat as well.

mardatha

I'd get a dehumidifier Ceridwen, they're magic things .

Mankysteve

Did you use and bathroom paint or normal room paint?.

ceridwen

Mankysteve wrote: »

Did you use and bathroom paint or normal room paint?.

As I recall - think twas kitchen & bathroom paint.

ceridwen

mardatha wrote: »

I'd get a dehumidifier Ceridwen, they're magic things .

Hiya me old mate mardatha:santa2:

I had thought of that - theres just one slight snag - ie the size of my house - its RATHER small and 'tis the Devils own job wondering how to fit things in anyways sometimes...

cyclonebri1

One thing is for sure, you will have to repaint it. Probably needs stabilizing solution followed by a good kitchen bathroom paint as you don't seem quite sure what you used. Avoid matt finish in the bathroom.
And of course as said earlier avoid the actual case of the problem, increasing heat levels helps too,

keystone

Have you got an extract fan in this bathroom. If that amount of water is runing down the walls from condensation it rather suggests not.

Yes you prolly will have to repaint it but may I suggest that stabilising solution is inappropriate. Use a fine grit abrasive all over to key it and then repaint. Kitchen and Bathroom paint is marketing hype. Use a standard trade vinyl matt or soft sheen finish. Silk is OK too but I hate the finish (and the paint) like the plague so am unlikely to recommend it.

Cheers

mardatha

We used to get the same thing here in the bathroom, which faces north and can be VERY cold. I think it's a temperature problem really, that just happens when its really extra cold. I suppose the textbook cure is to ventilate & heat...but who is going to turn their expensive heaters on and then open a window !!

ixwood

Rather than a dehumidifier, get an extractor fan with a humidistat installed. It'll remove air when it's too moist.

Is the paint really running, or is it just condensation on top of it? It may be okay once it dries out.