If your ceiling or walls are water-damaged, this guide will teach you exactly how to fix them.
Water damage is one of the worst home issues because it means you have to fix two problems:
- The source of the leak
- The damage it caused
Fixing the leak should always be your top priority; otherwise, the problem will keep coming back.
Why You Need To Properly Repair Water Damage
If left untreated, water damage can:
- Bleed through paint
- Make walls look terrible and stained
- Weaken drywall and structural integrity
- Promote mold and mildew growth
- Become more expensive to repair over time
You can temporarily paint over the damage while fixing the leak, but it’s only a short-term solution.
If you’re handy, you can repair the drywall and repaint it yourself. Otherwise, hiring a plumber to fix the leak is your best first step. Here is a list of house painting tools & equipment
Tools & Materials You’ll Need
Before you start, gather these supplies:
- Paint that matches your wall or ceiling
- Paint scraper
- Paintbrush or roller
- Water-based primer/sealer
- Chlorine bleach (optional, for cleaning mold/mildew)
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about the paint type, test a small section first to ensure a seamless color match.
The Process of Fixing Water-Damaged Wall Paint
Follow these steps to restore your wall and ceiling:
Step 1: Fix the Leak
This is the most important step. Repairing the source of the leak prevents the damage from spreading or reappearing later.
If you’re not sure where the leak is coming from, contact a licensed plumber before doing any painting or patching.
Step 2: Clean the Wall
If your wall is damp, moldy, or stained, clean it thoroughly before painting.
How to clean it:
- Mix chlorine bleach and water in a 1:3 ratio.
- Wipe the area gently to remove mold and mildew.
- Let it dry completely you can use a heater or blow dryer to speed things up.
Never paint over a wet or damp surface.
Step 3: Apply Water-Based Primer/Sealer
Priming helps:
- Seal stains
- Prevent future water damage
- Improve paint adhesion
How to apply primer:
- Brush or roll a water-based primer/sealer over the damaged area.
- Let it dry completely.
- Apply a second coat for stronger protection.
- Feather the edges (apply heavier in the center and lighter outward) to avoid visible lines.
Step 4: Paint It!
Now you’re ready to bring your wall back to life.
- Apply your matching paint evenly over the primed area.
- For best results, repaint the entire wall so everything blends perfectly.
- Allow to dry completely before applying a second coat if needed.
You Can Fix It!
Fixing water-damaged wall paint is one of the easier DIY painting projects you can tackle. However, repairing drywall or structural damage can be much trickier.
At Sherwood Painting, we handle both house painting services and water-damage repairs with licensed carpenters on staff to repair any underlying issues before we paint.
Your walls can look as good as new and stay that way.
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