Blistering Paint
paul_schertz
| Posted in General Questions on
Can vapor drive be responsible for blistering exterior paint? Is this to be expected? Solutions?
1941 house in Portland, Oregon (climate zone 4C).
Original uninsulated walls, cedar siding and lead paint.
I had the house painted 2 years ago and have had blisters ever since (see photo) primarily on the walls with direct sun exposure. Painter has returned twice and sanded/repainted the blistered areas. He stated that this is normal for this type of house and is caused by vapor drive. He stated that the blistering will continue.
Some blisters contain liquid water.
Internal RH typically ~50%.
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Replies
Blisters full of water doesn't sound to me like vapor drive. What it sounds like is liquid water -- rain -- getting into the wood and working its way out to the exterior. I would think water is getting behind the trim. Flashing the top and painting all six sides might help, but I can't think of anything that wouldn't require reinstalling the trim
Is it possible he drove water into the wood by pressure washing and then painted too soon before the siding dried out?