Treating small water stains....

digannio

I've got a couple of water stains on the white emulsioned plastered ceiling caused by a leak from a boiler in the loft. I have some Zinsser stain block but first want to clean away as much of the stains as possible prior to painting. Would a diluted vinegar mix or diluted bleach be the most effective or does anyone have some other magic potion that comes with a 100% guarantee?

Mr.Generous

Just use the stain stop, if it's really bad 2 coats. Adding any other liquid will make it worse, and painting noemal emulsion over it the stain just comes through no matter how many coats you apply. 

twopenny

Not sure cleaning will help. Might make it worse.

I used to use oil based undercoat.
Then a coat or two of Matt emulsion on top.
That worked for me for 60yrs.
Couldn't see the join.

digannio

It was just that a bit of it is quite a dark brown but I take the point about possibly making it worse with an initial treatment.

Swipe

Before you paint try this which may fix it without painting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3O48RW5hCM

digannio

I think I'll stick with the Zinsser.

bjorn_toby_wilde

digannio said:

I think I'll stick with the Zinsser.

Standing on a stepladder spraying a fine mist of bleach onto the ceiling without any mention of protecting carpets, furniture, your eyes, skin, etc.  What could possibly go wrong?

Swipe

bjorn_toby_wilde said:

digannio said:

I think I'll stick with the Zinsser.

Standing on a stepladder spraying a fine mist of bleach onto the ceiling without any mention of protecting carpets, furniture, your eyes, skin, etc.  What could possibly go wrong?

It was mentioned in the video about protecting surfaces. Suit yourself. It's a tried and tested method and worth a try considering the price of paint these days.

WIAWSNB

We don't know how bad the OP's stain is, but personally - as I did the last time a drip landed on my head - I will always try and clean away as much of the mark as I can before sorting it. And that involves a wipe over with a damp cloth and conventional house cleaner, and an application of bleach - usually safely applied using the ditto cloth.

Then I will look at making it good again. 

If it's an old house in particular - as mineish is - then expect physical 'dust' to be left on the ceiling surface once the damp has dried away. You'd be nuts to 'block' over that. 

digannio

This is the worst bit of the staining....

bjorn_toby_wilde

Swipe said:

bjorn_toby_wilde said:

digannio said:

I think I'll stick with the Zinsser.

Standing on a stepladder spraying a fine mist of bleach onto the ceiling without any mention of protecting carpets, furniture, your eyes, skin, etc.  What could possibly go wrong?

It was mentioned in the video about protecting surfaces. Suit yourself. It's a tried and tested method and worth a try considering the price of paint these days.

I confess I didn’t watch the whole thing before commenting. You’re right, it does mention protecting the surfaces. I got as far as her spraying the ceiling with no gloves or eye protection and turned it off.