As a homeowner, you understand that it is stressful to repair a crack in the wall or repaint a spot and then notice that the same issue has occurred. The paint can begin to bubble once again, or the crack can recur and even widen. It is not only disappointing and expensive, but you might also ask yourself what you are doing wrong.
The reality is that the bubbling paint and cracks most of the time show there is a bigger problem. The damage is recurring because of something inside the wall, such as moisture, structural movement, or termites. This is the reason why it is necessary to call the building inspector. An inspector is able to determine the actual cause and lead to the correct solution.
Why Do Wall Cracks and Bubbling Paint Keep Coming Back?
The majority of individuals think that cracks or bubbling paint are merely cosmetic. They repair the crack, sand the wall, and repaint. However, when the problem recurs, there is a possibility that it is the same root cause that is currently present. The following are the primary causes of these issues continuing to recur:
1. Moisture Inside the Walls
Among the most frequent causes of bubbling paint is moisture. Water may be leaked through broken water pipes, roofs, poorly done waterproofing, or rising damp. Water caught between the layers of paint forms bubbles and blisters. Repainting the wall would not help, as the moisture would still be present.
2. Poor Surface Preparation
Although this is not necessarily the primary cause, the bubbling or cracking may be aggravated by insufficient preparation. Before the painting, the dust, old paint, or dampness has to be removed before the new coat is painted, or it will not adhere to it.
3. Structural Movement
Different added gases continuously get addicted and subtracted as a result of changes in temperature, soil movements, ageing, or even foundation problems. These movements cause stress on the walls and give way to cracks. The cracks will reappear every time you seal them, regardless of the number of times that you do it, as long as the structure continues moving.
4. Damaged Render
The external render ensures that your walls are not exposed to heat, rain, and moisture. Once it begins cracking or peeling, it will be able to enter the walls and result in internal damage render repair queries properly.
5. Termite Activity
The termites have the ability to undermine the walls internally. By feeding on timber and internal structures, the wall gets shaky, and cracks begin to appear increasingly frequently. Bubbling paintings are also an indication of the termites since they introduce moisture to the May Be Termite-Related.
Signs That It Could Be Termite-Related
The following are red flags as to whether your wall could be a result of termites:
Hollow-Sounding Walls
Tap on your walls in areas where you see cracks or bubbling paint. If they sound hollow or papery instead of solid, termites may have eaten away the timber inside.
Mud Tubes
Termites construct tiny mud tubes that are approximately half an inch in diameter to move between sources of food and their nest. These tubes are found on your walls, mostly around the foundation. They can be observed close to wall cracks or angles.
Discarded Wings
When coming up with new colonies, termites swarm. When you see small heaps of wings around windows, doors, or wall cracks, it is a big red flag that termites are present in your house.
Narrow Doorposts and Openings
Your doors and windows might be hard to open and close as the timber structure is destroyed by termites. This is due to the fact that the distorted wood will no longer fit in its frame.
Visible Damage to Wood
Find little holes in woodwork, or crumbling wood that looks it, allowed, or when you press it crumbles. These are the manifestations of termites.
Bubbling or Uneven Paint
Termites may cause bubbles, peeling, or unevenness of paint on the surface when they are inside the walls that are being damaged. This occurs because the substrate behind the paint becomes weakened.
Risks of Ignoring Recurring Damage
cracks handily imagine that cracks and paint problems can be considered slight issues. Perhaps you smother them with furniture or paint afresh. However, disregarding frequent wall breaks can be very disastrous.
1. Bigger Repair Costs Later
What starts as a tiny crack may end up being massive structural damage when not properly addressed. Moistness is diffused, termites are multiplied, and the cost of the repair is escalated.
2. Risks to Your Home Foundation
Wall cracks, floor cracks, beam cracks, or foundation cracks may be allowed to occur and make the structure weak. Such problems usually involve costly reconstructions in case they are not dealt with at the early stages.
3. Moisture Causes Health Problems
Wet walls encourage the growth of moulds. Mould may produce allergies, rashes, or other problems, and skin rash, most particularly among kids and the seniors.
4. Termites Spread Quickly
Termites never stop eating. A colony can ruin big areas of timber in a few months. They may destroy walls and floors, and require termite treatment.
5. Reduced Property Value
Buyers will lose faith in your home in case it indicates damage. Painting cracks and bubbles are recurring and may cause an impression that your house is not maintained.
Professional Solutions You Should Consider
Instead of patching the same cracks repeatedly, it’s better to fix the underlying cause. Professional services like render repair, termite treatment, and a building inspector assessment make sure the problem doesn’t return.
Render Repair
Surface cracks are not something that can be covered with proper render repair. A professional will take away loose or damaged render, locate and repair any moisture issues, and lay out the wall in the right way.
They use high-quality materials, apply new render on the right layers, and include water-resistant coats when necessary. A good render repair will enhance drainage, and it provides some form of protection that prevents the reappearance of bubbling paint and cracks.
Termite Treatment
The treatment of termites by professionals is much better than amateur treatment. Professionals examine the entire house and determine the type of termites and the location of the colonies.
They employ shields or trapping mechanisms to eradicate termites at the origin, including the inaccessible surroundings. They also offer constant checking and prevention. The current-day treatment is safe, and it helps prevent timber and wall structure damage as a result of termites, preventing future issues.
Building Inspector
A building inspector assists in getting the real cause behind the frequent cracks and bubbling paint. They inspect structural movement, moisture sources, termite signs, past bad repairs, and drainage.
They will provide a detailed report of solutions that you need to follow after a comprehensive evaluation. This will save you money on the wrong repairs and will make sure that your home is repaired by the right people.
Ending Note
Cracks and bubbles of paint are recurrent and not superficial. It will not help to paint around them to cover the actual cause of the problem. You should take action promptly at the building inspector’s house. A building inspector is able to determine the origin of the problem.
Render Repair will make sure that your walls are covered and not susceptible to dampness. Termite Treatment eliminates the colonies that present severe damage. With these three solutions combined, you will be able to eventually break the cycle of recurring wall damage.
When you have been experiencing peeling paint, cracks, or bubbling paint, then do not wait till the problem gets worse. Make the first move and secure the safety, strength, and worth of your home.
FAQs
1. Why does paint bubble on my walls?
Paint bubbles occur when moisture gets trapped behind the surface, often from leaks, damp walls, or poor wall preparation.
2. What causes wall cracks to keep returning?
Recurring cracks are caused by structural movement, moisture, damaged render, or termite activity that isn’t fixed at the source.
3. How does render repair help prevent damage?
Render repair strengthens walls, seals cracks, improves drainage, and creates a protective barrier that stops moisture and bubbling paint.
4. How can I tell if termites are causing damage?
Signs include hollow walls, mud tunnels, zig-zag cracks, tight doors, or unusual moisture behind paint and timber.
