How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

I moved into my current house two and a half years ago. It was used as a Casa Rural prior to this and was beautifully decorated throughout. Over the past 6 months the paint on the interior walls has started to peel off in great sheets leaving piles of chalk-like dust on the floors. I tried painting over the chalky substance but the paint just soaked in and dried a completely different shade. Honestly, it is as if plaster of Paris was used to skim the walls prior to painting. This morning I found that a great sheet of paint had fallen off in my dining room - about 60cm x 40cm and enough 'chalk' to reline the centre court at Wimbledon! Why does this happen? Is there some sort of sealant I can use before I repaint - if so what is it called? All of the interior and exterior paint on sale here seems to be a plastic variety and does not last very long. Come back Dulux I say. Any information and advice would be most welcome. Thank you.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

There is a sealant you can use, yes ... but I'm not sure that will fix your problem ... I use Sikoseal.
Are the walls damp? Is it a very old house?

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

Thanks, the walls are not damp and the house was re-built 26 years ago. We have had only 2 days of rain over the past 10 weeks and not sufficient to penetrate the marble cladding on the outside of the house at the spot where last nights damage to the dining room happened.

It's all very confusing.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

We get a lot of blistering problems where people have used more modern paint over lime wash.

The only real solution we found is to scrape the wall as clean as poss, but it's backbreaking work.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

I live in a very old village house and I have to touch up the walls every year. First I have to brush them down,getting a ton of chalk in the process,then re-paint where needed. It is worse than the Forth Bridge but it looks nice for about eight months. Good luck.:thumbup:

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

You could try using PVA adhesive, mixed with water it prevents dusting on cement floors, it is sold as "cola blanca" out here, get it from any ferreteria or Leroy Merlin, it is cheap so worth a try.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

Thanks very much everyone. I will give your ideas a try - one in each room and see what is best for me. I might leave it until the Winter sets in as it is far too hot at the moment to even think about physical work.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

Unibond do a sealing product which worked for me when I had grease marks on a wall which continually seeped through a painted wall

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

:rofl: I know the feeling, paint falls off and black mold inside when it rains.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

good tip for the black mould,,,,,an old paint-brush and some bleach...just wipe the brush over the area and the mould goes. doesn't come back for a while either. just don't get it in your eyes. it stings. and other regions are painful too.:blink:

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

Yeah, I usually hoover most of it off first. ;)

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

re bleach to fix mould, i have found that swimming pool chlorine, the "four effect" type is very good for this as it contains anti algea and anti fungicide

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

My tip would be to check out the wall first - if it's not using lime then I would take off all the old render and put on new.

Use a strong render (sand, cement mix but known here as 'material) impregnated with SIKA Top Coat.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

It may be that the outside marble has stopped the wall breathing and sealing the inside may make matters worse. Try speaking to a Spanish builder for advice as Uk techniques may do more harm than good.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

Hi John

I have played around with old buildings for years. Although I'm by no means an expert it seems your house may have been "beautifully decorated" Just before youy bought it, with a plastic (non breathable) paint over a yeso or lime render.
If a building has no damp proof course, i.e is old like yours, it may not normally be damp because of a natural wicking-up and drying out that happens in warmer countries like Spain. But I think everyone will agree we had an English winter this year! which caused loads of problems to houses where the greater than average amounts of water and the salts in it crept up the walls internally but stayed inside the plastic paints, effectively blowing the paint and plaster off the wall. Painting again, either externally or internally with non-porous paint or waterproof treatment is not the answer.
Your house is old. I guess you love old buildings and that's why you bought it . Now you'll need to treat it with respect.

The 'rule' is to treat like with like. It may cost more but use lime based paints on lime or yeso render. They may be more difficult to find in Spain these days. Also don't even consider removing the lime based render and replacing it with cement! It won't work and will eventually break off the 'soft' construction.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

Ahh Useful! I had to bring loads of bottles of Dettol Mould and Mildew remover from England for my neighbours this year.Works a lot better than bleach. This stuff is likely to be very similar. Works a lot better than bleach.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

... can't think what they're called but you can get the same products in Spain you know:thumbup:


Not sure why the temptation is always to rush back to the UK to buy products when, 99% of the time, the same or better are available here.


My solution of using a cement based render, as I said, is only possible if the wall is stable and does not incorporate lime. This is precisely what the professional, Spanish builders do!

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

You've got to remember that some of us haven't been here years, nor are we blessed with as much time to do the research into the alternatives to English products. It's not a 'temptation' .....it's a necessity.

Yep the second part agreed;-) There are unprofessional builders around too though. The OP wants/needs to be armed with information to make sure they aren't left with a mess. It's very likely in this case that the wall will be of a 'soft' construction.
There aren't many Casas Rurales which are of new, or rather, cement based construction.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

I am grateful, as always, for the information received. It would probably be cheaper for me to move ( :omg_smile: ) as there are 16 rooms in all that might succumb to the problem. I shall do my best to get things fixed as I really can't stand the mess.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

But I thought you was a self builder, surely you should know the way needed to build in Spain ?

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

Hi JDR. I thought you spoke English but can't quite understand this comment????:confused:

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

Correct, the Pearly Kings English.
:confused: If you are building a house in Spain, surely you know of the techniques required without having to rely on going to the UK for products.
Perhaps this is why self build is frowned upon in Spain and the councils usually only allow registered builders to carry out work ? ;);)

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

But I have an open and inquisitive mind.;) There are fads and fashions in building...... and universal truths. and people are only now beginning to understand that healthy buildings need to 'breathe' and that cement isn't the answer to everything. I do know the like-for-like rule still applies. This isn't just 'waffy' and new-age. I also know there are breathable modern materials and paints around in Spain, but that they are difficult to find and you have to go to a specialist. If OP asks a local builder or painter to fix his problem I'm pretty sure, unless he gets a really knowledgeable guy, that he'll get a 'bodge' using cement and plastic paint. The point of this forum is surely to share info and let the person who asks the question make up their own mind. You seem to have a bit of a bee in your bonnet about people buying British when they live in Spain. I understand this. And to a certain extent I agree. But you should use the best materials for the job wherever they come from.

About self-building. I'm building new build. And obviously haven't done *everything* mysel I'm learning as I go on. With quite a lot of help from kind Expats on this forum. My knowledge of older construction comes from reforms in England. Consequently I know a bit more about Slaked Lime than I know about Yeso. :)
It's a good job some people are prepared to break the mould. I've had nothing but support from my local council and locals.
In fact, where I've chosen to use British methods instead of Spanish, for example on the internal walls, They've been impressed by the insulating properties as compared with modern tabiques. We lived in a rental with modern tabiques last year and in this (unfinished) house this year. The new house has been much cooler...(although some of that will be to do with refreshing gaps under doors!:D And it will be warmer in winter. You have to remember that many builders, for example on the big urbanisations, do a lot of what they do for speed and cheapness. Not for long term comfort and sustainability.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

A tip for Dulux lovers that are frustrated because you can't buy Dulux in Spain. I have found a supplier in Gibralter who will ship Dulux to Spain for very reasonable cost(providing you are buying a few cans) I have lived in SPain for 9 years now and the choice of contemporary colours and quality of the Spanish paint just dosen't compare to Dulux. The guy in Gibralter is called Daryl , he is really helpful and his number is (350) 20078452 and the shop is called Corner Shop Ltd.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

If you pay €15 for a big tub of white paint then maybe you're right. However if you pay the right price which tends to be about €70 for a big tub then it does the job just fine :)

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

Here I go agreeing with you again Mitzyboy.

Sorry Jillgary, but if one is prepared to pay something approaching Dulux prices then there is a very wide range of good quality paint. There are also many shops where one can have paint mixed to the exact colour of your choice (computerised matching system).

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

Well maybe it's just me but the way I see it is, if the rendering on the walls is falling off you need it renewing, My walls don't flake off;)

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

Well as this thread was started on Aug 28th 2010, and now the poster is shown as 'St. John -- Account Closed' I guess we may never know what solution was required.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

I found it odd that a poster revives a very old thread to give details about a service that know one has asked for.:confused:

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

Unless you sell Dulux. :D

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

I tried the "paint matching" machine 2 years ago. It resulted in me buying 20 litres of paint that was not the right shade (too yellow) and as the decorators had already painted one wall, I had to put up with it. 2 years later I have what I orginally wanted. My Dulux painted walls look fabulous , just the colour I choose, ( by matchpots) and my Spanish painter tells me the paint was "fantastico" . Also he thinks I saved money as only needed ONE coat of the Emulsion. He says Satinwood for the doors is best paint he has ever used. Yes we live in Spain , but I don't like Spanish interior paint. But that just me. I like Spanish decorators though!

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

The moderators do not tolerate spam such as this so you really are wasting your time.

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

He is white washing us with Spam!

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

No we don't tolerate Spam but having looked into this case we are happy that it is not spam, just an enthusiastic user of a product making recommendations based on their experiences.

Matter closed!!

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

I spent 40 years in England decorating my own houses using all makes of paint then moved to Spain and bought their good quality equivalent paints, never found a difference TBH.
A very "enthusiastic" post really.;)

Graham

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

My local pant supplier in Monforte de Lemos is fantastic. He can match any colour you want. The range is unbelievable. If you are brave enough he can sell you little tubes of paint to mix with the base colour to get the shade you want.
We cannot get Dulux up here, but that is good as it saves me money.
I also cannot purchase Spam either. But that is a different subject I think?:confused:

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

The mind boggles!

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

Maybe I should have said Dulux is pants it would have been quicker.:lol:

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

Do not put any cleaning products on the walls and put pva bonding on before
you paint ok

Re: How do I fix this decorating problem?
 

Did you read the whole thread ?