prepping cracked bathroom walls - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

72chevy4x4 · 03-25-2009, 05:29 AM

How do you prepare the shower wall/ceiling area that has spider cracks from moisture issues over many years? Hoping to find a more efficient method

Mike(VA) · 03-25-2009, 08:15 AM

Not sure what you do now so I hope I am not suggesting the same thing. Most of the cracking I see is from moisture (shower) but some is from heat in an attic that is not insulated well. Also, most cracks seem to be in old oil based paints. I pole sand or scrape then sand to smooth, and skim coat with mud. Oil based primer, at least semi-gloss latex paint.

72chevy4x4 · 03-25-2009, 08:26 AM

we do pretty much the same but why oil based primer and semi-gloss? I always recommend upgrading the ventilation fan to ensure enough volume of air is being evacuated. should be airflow into the room-sometimes a tight seal at the bottom of the door (carpet) will inhibit air flow.

Steve Richards · 03-25-2009, 08:52 AM

I'd do about the same thing...scrape, oil based bonding primer, skim, sand, prime.

Far as recommendations for a ventilation upgrade...I might suggest it, but would leave specifics up to someone that's not a painter.

Mike(VA) · 03-25-2009, 09:18 AM

I only suggested the oil primer considering the OP said this was directly in the shower. No staining bleed through. Correct ventilation in the main room is great but doesn't really help much if the shower walls go to the ceiling. Semi or gloss for easier cleaning and less chance of moisture intrusion.

Steve Richards · 03-25-2009, 11:09 AM

I might even wanna use an oil based paint on that ceiling.

Well...I wouldn't "want to"...but I might anyhow!

vandyandsons · 03-25-2009, 06:16 PM

yeah,

scrape, sand, prime (SW problock preferably), skim, sand, prime coat, finish coat(s), hope for the best.

remind the HO that unless they either upgrade their ventillation van or start using it, that it will happen again.

water and moisture is natures best solvent after all.

nEighter · 03-25-2009, 06:38 PM

On cracks I try to find the joists, put some screws in above and below, or on both sides of the cracks and the next studs over. I cut out a section of the drywall paper the size of mesh tape and embed the mesh into the area cover the area with mud, getting mud into crack. Wait for it to dry, sand flush with existing area, prime and repaint.

I would suggest a vapor barrier primer for entire room, repaint as you would with semi on walls and flat for ceiling and let them know when taking hot showers to use the exhaust fan.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

boman47k · 03-26-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDRocket

Why go to that much trouble? Much easier if it is oil base paint to replace the drywall and start new so you dont have to worry about this problem comming back in the furure.....

New rock does not solve a venting problem. Imo, this is a hard call without seeing the situation first hand, but generally, I agree with the sanding, prime/seal with oil, skim, sand, prime/seal and two coats of finish.