Bathrooms and laundries are the hardest rooms in the house for paint. Every hot shower and every load of washing fills the air with steam, and that moisture settles on walls and ceilings day after day. Ordinary paint in these rooms can start to peel, stain or grow mould within a couple of years.
The right products and a bit of preparation go a long way. Sometimes, though, damp walls are not about steam at all. They are a sign of water coming from somewhere it shouldn’t. Knowing the difference before you paint can save you a lot of money and frustration.
Steam or Leak? Reading Damp Walls
Most bathroom paint problems come from condensation. You will usually see it spread fairly evenly across the ceiling, in the corners above the shower and around the window. Mould spots tend to appear in those same cool, poorly ventilated areas. This kind of damage improves when ventilation improves.
A hidden leak looks different. The damp patch tends to stay in one spot, often low on a wall behind a vanity, beside the shower, or on the other side of the wall from the toilet or laundry tub. It may feel damp even on dry days, and tiles nearby might sound hollow or start to lift. Skirting boards can swell, and a musty smell may hang around even after the room has been aired out. If you see these signs, it makes sense to call experienced plumbers in Bayswater before any brush touches the wall.
Lexity Plumbing & Electrical works across Bayswater and nearby suburbs such as Boronia, Kilsyth and Wantirna. Its listed services include leak detection using acoustic equipment and thermal imaging, pipe repairs, and bathroom and kitchen plumbing, which is the kind of work needed to find water hiding behind tiles and plaster.
Painting over a leak simply doesn’t work. Water keeps moving behind the paint, the new coat bubbles or flakes, and mould comes back. Fix the source first, let the wall dry fully, and only then start on the finish.
Getting Ventilation Right
Once you know the problem is condensation, ventilation is the most important fix. Paint can resist moisture, but it can’t make it disappear. An exhaust fan that is too small, blocked with dust or vented into the roof space instead of outside will leave the room damp no matter what paint you use.
Run the fan during every shower and for a while afterwards. Leave the door or window open when you can, and wipe down the walls and screen after showering if mould has been an issue before. In the laundry, make sure dryers are vented properly, and avoid drying clothes indoors on racks when the weather allows them outside.
Homes in Melbourne’s east can be cool and damp through winter, so condensation tends to build faster in those months. A little extra airflow makes a big difference.
Choosing Paint for Wet Rooms
Bathroom and laundry walls and ceilings need a paint made for wet areas. Look for products labelled as suitable for bathrooms, kitchens or wet areas, ideally with a mould inhibitor. These usually come in a low sheen or semi-gloss finish, which is easier to wipe clean and handles moisture better than a flat finish.
Ceilings deserve special attention, as that is where steam collects first. Many standard ceiling paints are flat and soak up moisture, so choose a ceiling paint made for bathrooms or use the same wet-area product you use on the walls.
Remember that paint is not waterproofing. The waterproof membrane under the tiles in a shower or wet area is a separate system, and if it has failed, painting the walls outside the shower won’t stop the damage.
Preparing the Surface Properly
Good preparation is what makes the paint last. If there is existing mould, treat it with a suitable mould remover, follow the product directions, and let the surface dry completely. Simply painting over mould will let it grow back through the new coat.
Wash the walls to remove soap residue and grime, then sand any glossy areas lightly so the new paint can grip. Scrape off flaking paint and fill cracks or holes. If the plasterboard is soft, crumbly or stained right through, it may need replacing, which is often a sign that water has been getting in for a while.
Apply a stain-blocking or wet-area primer where there are old water marks, then follow with two coats of your chosen topcoat.
When You Need a Licensed Tradesperson
Painting is a job many homeowners can handle themselves. Moving pipes, fixing leaks, replacing a shower mixer or changing waste connections is not. In Victoria, plumbing work must be carried out by a registered or licensed plumber. The Building and Plumbing Commission is the name the Victorian Building Authority now trades under. It regulates plumbers in the state, and its website is a good place to check that a practitioner is registered or licensed before you book them.
If the leak has damaged the waterproofing behind the tiles, that is also a job for a qualified professional. Once the work is done, ask for confirmation of what was repaired so you know the area is dry before you start painting.
A Finish That Lasts
A well-painted bathroom or laundry should stay fresh for years. Choose a wet-area paint, keep the air moving, and treat any damp patch with suspicion. If it stays in one place or keeps coming back, have a plumber check it first. Paint looks its best on a dry, sound wall, and that starts with knowing where the water is coming from.
