Paint Is Peeling Above the Shower

Oil over Latex

• You can paint with oil paint over latex, but you cannot paint with latex over oil. The oils in acrylic paint do not allow the water-based latex paint to bond or cure properly. If this is the problem in your bathroom, scrape and sand the ceiling’s lifting surface and repaint with two coats of oil-based paint.

Repaint

• Over time excess heat and moisture, such as that in a bathroom, can cause flat ceiling paint to peel. If it’s time to repaint the bathroom ceiling, scrape away the lifting flakes and sand the entire marred area. Give your bathroom’s ceiling a couple of coats of moisture-resistant, glossy paint for a fresh and durable finish.

Ventilation

• A high-use bathroom could remain endlessly damp. Excessive dampness can lift paint, warp drywall, rot wood and eventually cause structural issues. Turn on the fan every time you shower to draw moisture out of the room. Leave the fan running until the space has dehumidified. In the warmer months, get into the habit of opening the bathroom window to freshen and dry out the space.

Mold

• In addition to being unsightly, lifting paint caused by extreme dampness can be an ugly telltale sign of an oncoming mold issue. If you have already noticed some blackening around the edges of your ceiling and shower stall ledge, you may not be alone while you bathe. Molds thrive in moist areas. Scrape away the peeling paint and then sand the area smooth. Disinfect the ceiling with bleach water and allow it to completely dry. Finally, repaint using two coats of good quality paint containing mildewcide.