Common Causes of Paint Bubbling

Of course, the last thing you want to do after spending a lot of time painting your house is waking up and see the paint bubbling. So, why does the paint bubble? Today, we are going to talk about it. 

Blistering, commonly known as paint bubbling, occurs if paint loses its surface adhesion. The surface may be a layer of paint beneath the one you applied. It can also be the substrate, such as wood, plaster, or drywall.  

Air or water-filled bubbles develop if paint is not sticking to the surface. They can harden in place if they collapse as the paint dries. At any time, paint coats can loosen. This includes water- and oil-based paint, even if the paint was already applied many weeks ago.  

You can paint over the surface if you want. However, that is not a permanent answer to your problem. The reason for this is that the paint would probably form bubbles again. Here are several reasons why your house painting Grand Blanc leads to paint bubbles.  

Utilizing the Wrong Paint, Tools, or Method 

In general, it is ideal to utilize more paint that is oil-based if you’re painting over the same type of paint. Applying latex paint over an existing oil-based paint will probably lead to the paint the bubble. The reason for this is that the two types of paint cannot bond properly. However, latex has a couple of advantages when compared to oil-based paints. This includes quicker drying time, less smell, and lower VOCs. Thus, you will have to prepare the oil-based paint if you are planning to paint latex paint over oil-based paint. You can do this by using a sandpaper to get rid of the paint. This will rough the surface up. Next, you have to clean it using TSP. After that, you have to prime it. Lastly, you should utilize at least 2 layers of latex. Also, you have to ensure you utilize the correct roller or brush. Ask a paint expert if you aren’t certain of the correct tool for your paint project.  


Paint bubbling is more common in areas exposed to heat. This includes rooms or kitchens that get a lot of sunlight. This is not so much of an issue of adherence since it’s a problem of drying. The upper layer of paint unevenly dries at a faster rate in intemperate areas. This causes bubbles under the surface.  


Moisture from high humidity, leaks, or water droplets can all soak into the surface. This produces bubbles between the paint and the surface. These forms of bubbles occur in areas where dampness is common. This includes kitchens and bathrooms.  

Skipping the Primer 

You might think that it’s okay to skip the primer. However, your walls do not agree with that. Primer is not simply the attempt of the paint industry to sell you another product. A primer layer produces a less porous surface so that both pigments and binders can stick to the surface. To make things simple, it offers your paint something to adhere to. That is the reason why you should not skip the primer. Else, it will develop bubbles.