7 Shocking Reasons Why The Paint is Cracking on Your Walls

It all starts with a little fissure, a teeny tiny line that's barely noticeable. But then, when your eyes land on it again, the line has seemingly grown. What was once a hairline crack has now turned into a chunk of your wall paint peeling.

It's not unusual to have paint cracking on walls, but what exactly causes it, and how can you stop it?

If you're wondering the same thing, don't worry. We're here to answer your curious questions and provide you with all the information you need.


Help! Why is the Paint Cracking on My Walls?

If you find the paint on your walls cracking, don't worry. As awful as it looks, it's pretty common for paint to blister and bubble. The root cause of it all is none other than moisture, along with the lack of a base coat.

Nonetheless, this phenomenon of cracking wall paint is typically called 'painting failure.'

The reason it's called a failure is because when you apply the paint wrong, it can suffer from adhesion loss, causing the paint to pull away from the surface. Due to this, your walls might look ruined, making you redo the entire paint job all over again.


What Causes Paint to Crack and Peel?

As pesky as it is, cracked paint doesn't just happen on its own. Usually, there's a catalyst that sets off a chain reaction. Although there are many causes behind paint failure, here are the main signs to look out for:

1. Thin Coating
Applying a thin coat of paint is good but not as effective if you don't follow it up with another swipe. Leaving behind the paint to dry with a minimal coating can cause it to splinter away from the surface.

2. No Prime or Base Coat
People who take up wall painting as a DIY usually forget to prime their walls beforehand. Skipping out on the base coat can cause all your hard work to fall apart since there's no adhesive beneath it. The primer acts like glue, helping the paint stick better to the surface.

3. Excess Moisture
If you live somewhere highly humid, you're bound to witness bubbling and cracking in your wall paint. This is because the humidity seeps inside the walls, melting off the adhesive and lifting it off. Sometimes, the moisture might even be behind the walls in the shape of a burst pipeline or a drainage issue.

4. Unclean Surface
Before lathering your walls with paint, it is crucial to scrub the area clean. This allows for a smoother base so the paint can glide on easily. If the surface has any sort of residue or dirt stuck to it, the paint will only trap it, leading to disastrous results afterward.

5. Low-Quality Paint
As tempting as it is to buy canisters of cheap paint, it's not worth it. Especially when you're forced to redo the entire thing. By investing just a little more money, you can get good quality paint such as epoxy, enamel-based or acrylic paint. This way you won't have to worry about the paint flaking off your walls either.

6. Improper Application
Believe it or not, the way you apply the paint also matters. Depending on the type of wall, different paints need to be used. If you use the wrong paint grade or opt for an alternating brush, it could offset the entire thing.

7. No Sealant
Just like how people forget to apply a base coat, they also forget to seal the deal. With a high-quality varnish, you can ensure the paint on your wall lasts very long. The sealant acts like super glue, causing the paint to stick to the wall better, preventing it from cracking.


So What's Next?

All in all, if the paint is cracking on your walls, it could probably be due to any of the reasons listed above. Browse through Kwikze Paint's gallery to select a suitable paint type, along with the necessary equipment needed. If you have any more questions, feel free to call us at (281) 407-0502.