The Queensland and NSW floods have left so many homes with flood damage. Water damage to homes can leave a big mess to clean up. The first step for many homeowners is to clean up the mud, dirt and then dry out the home.
Afterwards, depending on the damage, various trades may be needed to fix the flood damage. As painters, we will focus on repainting after flood damage and provide advice on these steps.
After a flood, your home will need some repairs. One of the most important is painting. Painting after flood damage can help cover up any water damage and make your home look new again. In this blog post, we will discuss the best way to go about painting your home after it has been flooded.
What to do before painting over a water stain?
When it comes to painting over water stains, here are some things you need to do:
Remove any remaining water stains and mildew
If you don’t remove existing moisture and mildew from your walls and ceilings, it will return once you paint over them. You can do this by cleaning with a solution of water and bleach (1 cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water), or another type of mildew remover.
Prime the area
You should use a primer with a sealer in it to help make sure that any remaining moisture is sealed away.
Apply a fresh coat of primer to the entire surface. This will help hide any discolouration caused by mould or mildew, and it will also help prevent new problems from developing after all the rain.
Paint the area with two coats of paint. Once your primer has dried, apply two coats of oil-based paint for best results.
Painting Over Water Stains
If you discover water stains on your walls and ceiling, you might be tempted to paint over them to conceal the damage in the affected area. You might even think you’re doing a good thing by painting over the stains on the whole wall and preventing further damage from happening.
Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. Painting over water stains can actually make your problems worse.
Here are just a few reasons why you should avoid painting over water stains:
The wood in your wall (or ceiling) has already been affected by water damage. Water can cause wood to swell up, so if you paint over it, it will eventually crack and peel off the surface, exposing more damage.
Paint won’t guarantee that further damage won’t happen again. If there’s something wrong with your roof or insulation, then painting over water stains won’t fix it; they’ll just come back again once the next storm hits.
It will make it hard for you to find out where exactly water is coming from.
Painting over a watermark or stain requires more preparation
The most significant difference between covering water damage and traditional projects is the fact that the former involves preparation. When you’re painting regularly, the brushes are easy to use and you can use painter’s tape, primer, patching nails, and other preparatives according to your preferences.
When you paint a painting over water damage, a first assessment is crucial.
Assess your plaster
Plaster can retain water and cause mould growth under the right conditions. In order to avoid the possibility of further water damage and potentially expensive remediation down the road, it’s important to assess your plaster for these hazards after flood damage.
Inspect your plaster for visible signs of water damage on the surface. Look for any discolouration or stains that might indicate seepage has occurred as well as any swelling or warping on the surface.
If you notice any of these signs, you will likely need to remove and replace the area. For this reason, prep work will be important before you get started.
Choose your paint and supplies
Before you can paint, you need to choose your paint. If you’re just touching up after flood damage, make sure you match the original paint as closely as possible. This will ensure that the repaired areas blend in with the rest of the wall.
If you’re looking at a more thorough project, choose your paint colour carefully. The choice of colours should reflect your surroundings and home decor before you apply it to the stained area. If you don’t know where to start, talk to an expert for advice on selecting colours.
Smooth over defects or imperfections
To smooth over defects or imperfections, use a high-build primer. A high-quality acrylic primer is ideal for new surfaces because it seals the porous surface and gives the top coat of paint something to grip onto.
For damaged walls, especially those with a lot of holes or cracks, a shellac-based primer is best.
After applying the first coat of primer, inspect the wall again for any imperfections that may still be visible. If you find some spots you missed, don’t worry — just apply another coat of primer and let it dry completely before you start painting.
For a more uniform look when priming and painting after flood damage, it’s best to use a fresh roller cover. You can also use a sprayer to make the work go faster.
Apply the paint
Once the primer has dried completely, it’s time to start applying the paint. For best results, use a high-quality brush and apply thin coats of paint. avoid painting too thickly, as this can lead to drips and uneven coverage.
If you’re painting a large surface area, use a sprayer for even coverage and a faster finish. When you’re finished, let the paint dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Touch up as needed
Once the paint has dried, take a look at your work. If you notice any areas that need additional attention, go ahead and touch them up. This will ensure that your final project looks professional and complete.
Once you’ve finished all the necessary touch-ups, stand back and admire your work! You’ve just successfully repaired water damage with a fresh coat of paint. Congratulations!
Conclusion
Flood damage is awful and sometimes it’s best to get an expert in unless you are sure of the repairs yourself. Contact our team for advice and quotes.
