I've been having a strange issue where the interior latex paint in my hallway seems to be melting off the wall. I've ruled out water damage and latex paint over oil-based paint, as that's not the case here. I took a photo to show the paint guy at Lowe's, but he couldn't help. I'm thinking of getting a second opinion at Sherwin-Williams, but I wanted to see if anyone has experienced this before or has any insights. Here are the details:
- This problem is only occurring in the hallway, not affecting the adjacent bedrooms, which all use the same paint.
- Some areas even feel sticky to the touch.
- There are no pipes in the walls; the bathroom is separate from the hallway.
- Air circulation seems good, as this is where the AC intake is located and temperatures have been stable around 74-76°F during the day and 70°F at night.
- This has been happening for several months.
- The hallway was painted around 2003, while one bedroom was painted in January 2013. The other bedrooms and closets do not show any signs of this issue.
- The house is a one-story ranch with an attic and insulation above all rooms.
I can't post a picture here due to restrictions, but any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
2 Answers
It sounds like a frustrating situation! It's possible that there was a problem with the paint application, like not using a primer, or perhaps there’s an issue with the wall surface itself. Environmental factors like humidity can affect the way paint adheres too, especially in hallways. Definitely pay a visit to the Sherwin-Williams store and see if they can lend a hand. They might have more specialized advice since they know their products best. Also, if you're going to repaint, make sure to clean and prep the walls properly to avoid this happening again!
You mentioned that the paint is sticky; that’s a red flag! It might be a case of poor ventilation causing condensation behind the paint, leading to these melting/dripping effects. Before you repaint, sand those areas down, and maybe consider using a mold-resistant primer to keep moisture at bay. The store might also have products specifically for walls prone to humidity, especially if you have good airflow from the AC in the hallway.
Good point! I’ve heard that sticky paint can really mess with how the new coat looks, so addressing that is key. Hopefully, with your future repaint, it stays put!
Totally agree! A good prep job can make all the difference. I once had a situation where prep work solved a lot of peeling that I thought would be permanent. Good luck with the repaint!