What Causes Ceiling Paint to Buckle?

Bad Paint

• If a paint job is improperly applied, over time it will start to crack or buckle even if the conditions it is exposed to are mostly optimal. If you can't find any other cause, then repainting your ceiling and doing a quality job should stop future paint buckling. This means you must properly clean and sand your surface, use an appropriate primer and a high-quality paint.

Moisture

• If the paint on your ceiling is wet for prolonged periods of time, or if the material the paint is adhered to becomes wet, the paint may start to buckle. This is a common cause of buckling paint on ceilings because this is where leaks in a roof typically show up. If your paint starts to buckle, look for signs of moisture or water staining. If you find any, find and repair the leak in your roof before you bother repainting the ceiling.

Heat

• Too much heat applied directly to the paint may cause buckling. This happens sometimes when you put a new appliance underneath a specific section of paint. For instance, if you install a new electric or gas fireplace or space heater and notice paint buckling, see if the problem is centralized in the area above the heater. Also check if the buckling follows the trail of any forced-air ducts. If so, you may need to insulate the exterior of the ducts to prevent further problems.

Shifting Homes

• All homes shift and settle a small amount over time. On an older home with an older paint job, the prolonged stress on your ceiling could cause the paint to crack and buckle in places. If you notice additional symptoms of this problem, such as doors and windows not closing properly, you should have your home inspected for safety purposes.