
How to Repair Water Damaged Ceiling Paint
- Clean the Area. As with any paint project, the first thing you should do is thoroughly clean the area. ...
- Scrape Away any Paint Flakes. Getting rid of the old paint is next. ...
- Use a Seal Binder/ Peel-Stop. You’ll need to prevent future water damage from affecting the area. ...
- Smooth out the Surface with a Filler. After about an hour of drying, it is time to ready the surface for a fresh coat of paint. ...
- Sanding. After the filler dries out, sand the area in preparation for the paint job.
- Apply a Primer/Sealer. The final preparation to make comes in the form of applying a water-based primer or sealer. ...
- Paint the Surface. The surface is ready to paint once it is cleaned, moisture-proofed, and primed. ...
- Step 1 – Clean the Area. ...
- Step 2 – Scrape Away any Paint Flakes. ...
- Step 3 – Use a Seal Binder/ Peel-Stop. ...
- Step 4 – Smooth out the Surface with a Filler. ...
- Step 5 – Sanding.
- Step 6 – Apply a Primer/Sealer. ...
- Step 7 – Paint the Surface.
What paint to use to cover water stain on ceiling?
What You Need To Paint Over Water Stain
- Move all furniture to the middle of the room and cover with plastic and or drop cloths.
- Put drop cloths on the floor to protect any flooring or carpet
- Cover up any light fixtures like ceiling fans or chandeliers
- Prepare yourself with a face mask and eye protection if you are scraping off any stipple from the ceiling
How to remove water stain from ceiling without paint?
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Locate the source of the water stain or moisture. Check the pipes or the fixture above your ceiling. ...
- For water stains, use a bleach to remove it. Mix equal amounts of water and bleach and apply it directly to the stain.
- Remove damaged parts of the ceiling. This depends on the extent of damage on your ceiling. ...
- Repair the holes in your ceiling. ...
How to repair a water damaged ceiling?
- Puttying the damaged places. Putty is mixed with water in the proportion of 1:3. Apply it to the damaged areas, level the seams, seal the cracks and fractures. ...
- Re-applying putty. Another layer of putty is applied to the ceiling surface and dried for several days.
- Painting. The best choice when repairing the ceiling is water-based paint. ...
Can you just paint over water damage?
Yes, as long as the drywall is not sagging or weakened. There are a few things that need to be done first, however, before you can paint over water damage: Repair: The area that has the water damage is stained because water got in. How bad is water damage to a ceiling? A seemingly small water leak can cause just as much damage as a full-scale flood or burst pipes.

Can you paint over water damaged ceiling?
If a water stain has caused any damage, e.g. cracks or flaking plaster, make sure that you repair the area first. This will help get a great finish and improve paint adhesion. To cover the stain, you will need a specialist stain blocker (such as the Zinsser Cover Stain (opens in new tab)) or an oil-based paint.
How do I get rid of brown water stains on my ceiling?
Learn how to remove water stains from ceilings in 4 steps:Fix the leak that caused the stain first.Clean the ceiling stain with a bleach solution.Apply an oil-based undercoat to keep the stain from bleeding through new paint.Repaint the ceiling, not just the stain.
How do you cover water stains on a ceiling?
Conceal an unsightly water stain on the ceiling—and put a stopper on the leak that caused it—with these stain-fighting tips.STEP 1: Identify and repair the root cause. ... STEP 2: Clean the stain with bleach. ... STEP 3: Apply a base coat of stain-blocking primer. ... STEP 4: Cover the primer with ceiling paint.
How do you repair water damaged ceiling?
0:2920:28how to fix water damaged ceiling - DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHowever we do have a large yellow stain up here this is very easy to repair you don't need to cutMoreHowever we do have a large yellow stain up here this is very easy to repair you don't need to cut anything out you don't need to patch over the top all you basically need to do is seal off that stain.
Why does a ceiling water stain turn brown?
When you see brown spots, or patches, on your ceiling and interior walls, they are water stains caused from a leak above. This leak could be a malfunction in your commercial roof systems or a leak with another part of your facility, such as HVAC units or leaking pipes.
How do you dry a ceiling after a water leak?
Most experts suggest using a dehumidifier and closing off that area. Keep windows close if you use a dehumidifier. If you can't do that, create air circulation with fans and keep the window slightly ajar. Another drying method involves heat and a shop vacuum.
Does kilz cover water stains?
KILZ® UPSHOT® Stain sealer blocks out most stains caused by water, smoke, tannin, ink, pencil, felt marker, grease and seals pet and smoke odors. Use on interior surfaces including wood, drywall, plaster, paneling, wallpaper, masonry, brick, painted metal and properly prepared glossy surfaces†.
How do you seal a water stain before painting?
The only way to stop the water mark discolouring the paint is to cover the stain with a stain blocker or an oil based paint first. You can then emulsion or paper overit. If you don't create this barrier the water mark will just keep on coming through, however many coats of emulsion you put on!
What causes yellow stains on ceiling?
The most common cause of yellow splotches and stains on ceilings is water damage. When water escapes the confines of pipes or enters from the home's exterior, the moisture gradually seeps into whatever porous surfaces are nearby.
Can water damaged ceiling be fixed?
If it is only stained, you can cut out the damaged portion and replace it with a new piece of drywall. If the damaged area is 12 square inches or more, consider replacing the whole drywall panel because it will need to be anchored to wall studs or ceiling joists.
How do I cover a damaged ceiling?
Drywall. Installing drywall is another solid solution for an ugly ceiling. The job requires two people to lift the panels, unless you use a lift. Once you've installed, primed and painted the new ceiling, it should be maintenance-free for many years.
How do you fix moisture damage?
Steps To Repairing Water DamageClean The Area. Before you start a project like this, give the water damaged area a good clean. ... Clear And Scrape Any Flaking In The Area. ... Cover Water Damaged Area With A Peel-Stop / Sealer Binder. ... Apply Filler. ... Sand Surface. ... Apply Water-based Primer / Sealer. ... Apply Paint.
What to do if your ceiling is water damaged?
Before you do any more work, make sure to wear protective gear, including safety goggles and a face mask. If the water-damaged ceiling is peeling or bulging, if you haven’t done so already, scrape those parts off. Other damaged sections, such as those with water stains, should be removed as well.
What to do if water is still dripping from ceiling?
If water is still dripping after you’ve dried the ceiling, you can be sure it is still too saturated and requires further drying. You might need to cut out the sections that are still wet so you can dry it. If the ceiling’s drywall is bulging, puncture it to release the water.
What to do before making repairs to a ceiling?
In any water damage situation, the first thing you need to do before you can make repairs is to address the water source. This is important to prevent any further water damage. If you do not stop the water source beforehand, then it will continue to damage the ceiling. Any repairs you make will then become useless.
What is a professional water damage restoration company?
Professional water damage restoration companies are available to help restore homes and businesses that have sustained water damage, including water-damaged ceilings. No matter what caused the damage, professional technicians will fix the water source, remove excess water and moisture, dry affected areas, and make the necessary repairs.
What happens if water is absorbed in drywall?
This absorption then makes it easy for the water to spread to new areas of your property, thus worsening the damage. Furthermore, the more water that materials absorb, the less stable they will be.
Can you salvage drywall with water stains?
Other damaged sections, such as those with water stains, should be removed as well. If the drywall has stains but has not sustained structural damage, you can salvage it by cutting out only the affected areas. Use a keyhole saw to cut out the damaged section into the shape of a rectangle or square.
What happens if you cut a ceiling?
Also, extensive water damage stains on your ceiling likely caused damage to the ceiling material. Warping is common, as are cracks, holes, and other forms of degradation.
How to get rid of mold on paint?
Clean the Water Stain. Once the mold (if present) is under control, you will still need to clean the stain as well as possible before applying new paint. One of the best ways to do this is to use a bleach solution, as the bleach will help reduce the appearance of the stain.
What are the two products that are most important to water damage?
When it comes to water damage, the two product types that are most important are those that kill mold and mildew and those that cover stains. If not eradicated, mold will most likely cause problems in the future. Likewise, if a good primer is not used, water stains will show through new paint over time.
Can you paint over water stains on a ceiling?
In short, yes. It is certainly possible to paint over water stains on your ceiling. The primary consideration is how permanent the cover-up will be. If the underlying problem has not been fixed, the water stains are very likely to reveal themselves again.
Can you paint over water damage?
You can paint over a water-damaged ceiling if isn’t sagging. Never paint over a water-damaged ceiling if the drywall is weak for safety and structural purposes. Prime the ceiling with stain-blocking primer ...
Can you paint a ceiling with water stain?
If the water stain has been on your ceiling for a long time, the presence of mold or mildew is highly likely. If you do not eradicate mold before painting a water stain, it will eventually have a negative impact on your new coat of paint. Several good products are available to kill and cover mold.

Stop The Water Source
Dry The Affected Areas
- Once the water source has been addressed, the water-damaged ceiling can then be dried. First, place down a tarp to protect the floor and any furniture in the room from water and debris. Then, gather materials you can use to dry the ceiling, including fans and towels. Take time to dry the areas above and below the ceiling to ensure you thoroughly address the moisture. If water is stil…
Remove The Damaged Sections
- Before you do any more work, make sure to wear protective gear, including safety goggles and a face mask. If the water-damaged ceiling is peeling or bulging, if you haven’t done so already, scrape those parts off. Other damaged sections, such as those with water stains, should be removed as well. If the drywall has stains but has not sustained stru...
Repair The Ceiling
- Using sandpaper, smooth down any ridges, bumps, and rough areas. Fill small holes with joint compound, let it dry, and then use more sandpaper to smooth it out. For sections where you cut out the drywall, measure the hole. Then cut a new piece of drywall out to fill the hole, but make sure it is 2 inches wider and longer than the hole. You want to start with a piece that is bigger th…
Prime and Paint The Ceiling
- When you are done with repairs, open windows to provide proper ventilation for the priming and painting process. Apply primer to the ceiling and allow it to dry. Once dry, you may repaint the ceiling. Although the entire ceiling may not have been harmed, it is best to prime and repaint the whole ceiling to ensure even coverage.