The Top Common Reasons Why Paint May Crack

There’s nothing worse than getting your house painted and then finding cracks in the walls. However, finding hairline cracks in painted walls is a common problem that occurs due to many reasons. It is always a great concern because it is the first thing they see when people visit your home. That’s why your paint has to be warm and classy, and free of cracks. Although painted walls are subject to eventual wear, this is not always why alligator cracks in paint occur.

If there’s a crack in your home and you’re wondering why or you would like to find out what causes paint to crackle so you can avoid it when painting your home, you’re in the right place. The professional painters at Spectra Painting contractors have provided some reasons why paint cracks and how to fix cracked paint on walls.

Rushed Preparation

Before painting, there are several tasks you need to carry out. Choosing the color, the painting tool, and the finish is part of these tasks and is always taken seriously. An overlooked preparation task is preparing the walls for painting. This is essential if you want to achieve a smooth paint job without cracks. It also helps to ensure the paint sticks evenly for a long while. Improper preparation or a total lack of it is one of the top reasons for cracks, peels, and chips after painting. Ensure the wall is clean of all particles before painting. You should also take the time to sand down the wall, fill in dents, and use a primer when necessary. Although, you should be careful about the primer to avoid primer cracking when drying. Another preparation step to take is to peel off the previous paint before you apply new paint. Don’t consider painting over cracked paint, as the cracks might find their way through your fresh paint.

Insufficient or Too Much Paint

Sometimes, the problem is getting the amount of paint right. If the paint used is insufficient, it could cause the paint to crack. Another thing that causes paint to crackle is too much paint. When more paint than needed is used, it might lead to an uneven surface that causes the paint to start cracking. The best solution to this is to make use of thin and even paint layers. Ensure you add the paint layers one after the other to achieve the perfect finish.

Low-Quality Paint

Many times, people pick low-quality paint because it is cheap. However, this usually leads to cracks on your painted walls. Cheap paints are typically low-quality and also offer a short lifespan. You will begin to notice cracks or peels on the wall faster than you will get when you use top-quality paint. Before you decide on the paint you would like to use, research the product brand. Read reviews about the product, and it will give you enough information to make your decision. Although price is always a determinant for many people, it is better to settle for the costs now than have to spend more in the future fixing cracked walls. If you’re looking for the best paints in the greater Boston area, the professional painters at Spectra Painting Contractors have got you covered, by recommending Ben Moore & Sherwin Williams paint products. 

Low Adhesion

If the paint doesn’t adhere properly to the surface, it could cause the walls to start peeling or cracking. There are many causes of low adhesion, and one of them is improper preparations. It could also be because of the painting conditions. If you find the weather condition is too cold or humid, it could make the walls begin to crack or paint. Using the wrong paint for the wrong surface is also a top reason why there is low adhesion. Another popular reason for low adhesion is when you don’t allow the first layer to dry before adding the second layer. Failure to wait long enough for the paint to dry before repainting most often causes adhesion and leads to cracks and peels in painted walls.

Environmental Factors

Another reason why paint tends to crack is when there is bubbling in the paint. This effect is caused when there is moisture or heat while the wall is being painted. Before you apply the first paint layer, you need to ensure that the wall is entirely dry. If it isn’t, it could cause the paint to bubble. This is why the time of painting needs to be considered. You can either keep your painting till a more favorable period or use a dehumidifier to keep the walls dry and the bubbles away.

Aging Paint

This is also a good reason why you might have noticed hairline cracks in painted walls. It might be a clear indication that the paint has gotten to the end of its lifespan and would like to be replaced. This is a usual trend, although it might happen sooner with a poor paint job. Sometimes, it is simply a sign that the paint has gotten to the end of the road and needs replacement. All paints are not equal and therefore have different lifespans. When choosing a new paint, it might do you more good to check the product’s lifespan before making a purchase.

Conclusion

A fresh coat of paint usually does wonder for your home. It could brighten up the room and even open up space. However, it could also become a nightmare if it isn’t done right. It can be pretty disappointing if a paint project starts to go wrong. Above are some of the common reasons why paint may crack so you can avoid it before you start your next painting project. One sure way to prevent cracks and peels in your painted wall is to hire a professional painter to get the job done.

The Spectra Painting Contractors are based in the greater Boston area and available at any time to assist you in getting your painting job done right. We will get the job done for you with our advanced techniques and industry knowledge while you relax. You can check out our website to know more about us or visit our blog for painting and home décor tips.