How to Paint Over Water Stains

Are you looking to paint over a nasty water stain on your wall or ceiling?

Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as slapping on a coat of paint.

Water stains have a tendency to seep through – no matter how many layers of paint you apply. In this article, we’ll share with you how to paint over water stains in four steps.

Let’s get right into it.

Step 1: Find and Fix the Leak

First things first, you must locate and fix the leak, or whatever is causing the water stain. If you don’t do this, water will eventually seep through again and could cause serious damage to your home.

Once the leak has been fixed, you’ll need to leave the area to dry completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Area for Painting

Water stains can cause damage, such as small cracks and gaps in the plaster. You will need to patch over any damaged areas before you paint.

Once your wall is all patched up, you must clean it. A mixture of warm water a detergent should do the trick. Make sure you clean the area around the water stain, too. Keep in mind this cleaning process won’t remove the stain. Instead, it will remove any dirt or dust that can prevent paint from properly adhering.

Step 3: Apply the Barrier

Next, you’ll need to apply a store-bought stain barrier. Do not skip this step. It is this product that will block out the water mark completely, and prevent it from coming back.

You can purchase a water stain barrier from your local hardware store. To apply it, follow the product’s instructions.

Step 4: Paint Over the Water Stain

Once the stain barrier has dried as per the product’s instructions, you can begin painting over the stain.

If your wall or ceiling hasn’t been painted in some time, you may struggle to match the paint colour perfectly. Even if you have the exact right shade, the paint on the walls may have discoloured. If that’s the case, you really have no choice but to paint the entire wall or ceiling.

Be sure to clean and prep the wall before you paint it. Don’t be tempted to keep painting on a whim – this could lead to further paint problems, such as blistering and peeling.

Call in Professional Painters

Too much work? No worries. Let us do it for you. With years of painting experience and a dedication to perfect results, we can completely cover an unsightly water mark and prevent it from ever coming back. Call today on 07 3829 5735 or fill out the form on this page.