Paint peeling section of wall - How to repair for new paint?

Hey all!

We are currently painting our house, and in the corner of our lounge, I've noticed a patch of a wall that seems to need repairing.

The existing paint was quite flakey so it was quite easy to peel off and new paint doesn't stick to it. The underlying texture is a bit sandy and rubs off slightly.

I've got a feeling this is something to do with water damage but does this issue look familiar to anyone? It's a double brick house with some sort of render on the walls.

Any recommendations to repair this patch to then paint over?

Thanks!

Attached photos

https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/267873/94213/20220215_…
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/267873/94214/20220215_…

Thanks!

Comments

  • whats on the other side of the wall? bathroom? laundry? kitchen? external
    any bubbling or noticeable water damage?

  • +4

    Sure is water damage. You need to stop the damp before doing any painting of the area and let it dry out for a few months.

    What is on the other side of the walls? If it's a bathroom then the water proofing is shot. If it's an outside wall go outside and look for cracks in the cement between the bricks or cracked bricks as these need to be sealed, but if you cannot find anything obvious then check the gutters and roof and windows for water penetration into the gap between the bricks.

    The other thing it could be is rising damp and this is something you need professionals to fix correctly. If you think it's rising damp go under the house and check for damp or smells of dampness.

    • It's an outside wall on the other side directly behind the peeling paint. On the left of the paint is the kitchen but not the sink/water plumbing that I know of.

      But this probably confirms what the issue is.

      I'll have a check later and report back for future reference for anyone else!

      Thank you! :)

  • I've got a feeling this is something to do with water damage but does this issue look familiar to anyone? It's a double brick house with some sort of render on the walls.

    You're feeling is correct, something is leaking, causing the wall to be damp and the render to fall off.

    Being a corner, it could be coming from either side. What is on the other side of the walls?

    • Directly behind the peeling paint is the outside, on the left is the kitchen,

      Will have a look and let everyone know what I found for future refrence

      • ok, check inside the kitchen cupboards etc to make sure they are not damp/wet, if so, start fixing that.

        For the outside, do you have dirt up again the house/brick wall? Is it wet? If so this could be the cause. Dig it back, and apply a sealer before putting the dirt back, or just leave the dirt away if you can :)

        Best of luck!

  • Could be rising damp from under the house.
    Is there ventilation under the house, is it damp under the house? Is there an external downpipe outside this room?

  • Seal it with Bondcrete, then paint

  • -1

    I can see this turning into another Airbus v Qatar episode.

    Pull out the big guns and go to court.

  • Being lower on the wall, it could also be water damage seeping up from the floor. Water that gets to your concrete pad gets wicked and spreads out - moisture was in some walls about 5 or 6 metres away from a leaking shower.
    My daughters rental had mold appear in some areas of her bedroom near the ensuite door. Hairline cracks in her shower, and an older house without decent waterproofing in that ensuite had water getting pulled/wicked along the concrete house pad. When Landlord had their insurance send a trademan to check, there was moisture in the lower walls and floors. Ended up stripping back walls plaster and render to expose bricks to a 1m height from floor, then having industrial fans setup running for a few days until moisture levels dropped. A week later they plastered walls, repainted, and regrouted/fixed shower .

  • seal, prime, paint

    looks like it has been done before

  • A little off topic, but if it's an older house best to test the walls for lead paint

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