What Do You Do When Ceiling Paint Starts Peeling?

Check for Moisture

• Often peeling paint signals a problem with moisture coming through the ceiling, or high humidity in your house causing water condensation on the ceiling. You must check for moisture where the paint is peeling just by placing your bare hand on the area where the paint has started to peel. If you see mold growing, though, do not place you hand near the mold. If water is coming through the ceiling, check for plumbing leaks from the room above, if there is a room above, or have a roofing company check the roof for damage.

Protect Yourself

• If your house was built before 1978, there is a chance that the paint on your ceiling contains lead and so can be toxic. To be on the safe side, assume that at least one layer of the paint contains lead, if you live in an older house, and wear clothing that covers your arms. Put on gloves as well as a face mask and safety goggles. If any mold is present, protective clothing will help guard your health as well.

Remove Loose Paint

• Before you can do anything with the section of the ceiling where the paint is peeling, you must remove the old, peeling paint. A putty knife provides a good way to remove the old paint without marring the ceiling. Remove any loose paint in the area where the paint is peeling, continuing to scrape off the paint from the ceiling all the way around the peeling paint until you run into paint firmly attached to the ceiling. If water damage has caused the peeling, dry the ceiling with fans before continuing.

Patch the Spot

• After you have removed all of the peeling paint and dried any moisture on the ceiling, you must patch the ceiling. You must use wall patch to smooth out pitting in the ceiling's drywall or plaster, as well as cracks or other surface damage. The patch also helps you bring the level of the ceiling where you removed the paint to the level of the rest of the ceiling. You may need to apply several coats before the area missing paint is level. Once the patch dries completely, you may prime-paint the ceiling patch to match the rest of the ceiling.