Every room in the home is not created equally, especially when it comes to painting. In fact, several rooms require special considerations be taken before paint is applied to their surfaces. The bathroom ranks high on this list because it presents particularly unique challenges.
If you’re not an experienced painter, it’s recommended you consult a professional before attempting to paint or repaint your bathroom. We welcome your inquiries at Atlanta’s Paint Doctor at 404.524.8283, or you can contact us here.
To help you understand the obstacles bathroom painting can present, let’s take a look at some of the special considerations you should take before the project begins.
1. Moisture. This is the biggest challenge of bathroom painting. In some places, it’s likely the paint has started to peel or you see mildew, mold or soap scum buildup. How do you remove the flaking paint or the stains to ensure best application of the next coat?
Also, something known as surfactant leaching can take place. If you notice a sticky, glossy or even soapy appearance on your painted surface – especially where it has come into contact with humidity – you’re seeing surfactant leaching. This cannot simply be painted over and should be evaluated by an expert to ensure it’s remediated properly.
2. Painting small spaces and working around fixtures adds to the project’s difficulty level. It’s recommended that fixtures be removed and some sort of tape or edging tool used to ensure you don’t get paint behind faucets, on shower tiles or around grout.
3. Above and below baseboards; around openings surrounding pipes and fixtures; or gaps around windows and trim – these areas may be in need of fresh caulk before paint is applied. Unless you’re an experienced handyman, proper caulking may not fall within your comfort zone.
Caulk should be fully dried before painting to prevent any bleeding and staining of the color into the unset filler.
4. There are endless types of paints available today. Countless colors, finishes, ingredients, recommended applications … it can quickly become confusing if you’re not adept at selecting proper paint types. Typically, for bathroom painting, you’ll want to avoid flat paints as water spray can ruin the finish. Go with an eggshell, satin or in high-moisture bathrooms, a semi- or high-gloss paint.
Also, look for paints designed specifically to prevent the buildup of mold and mildew.
These are just a few bathroom painting considerations, but if it’s a home improvement project you’re not 100% comfortable tackling on your own, we invite you to call us for feedback and an estimate.