[RobynSN]

Hi there, just finished a 6 month major reno and have been in the house for almost a month now. In the last two weeks or so we noticed that the ceiling paint in the shower was beginning to crack. We figured this was due to ventilation issues as the ceiling vent had not yet been vented all the way to the outside. It is now and we have noticed no new cracking or peeling on the shower ceiling. Now we just need to touch it up.

However, today we noticed that a spot on the wall has begun to crack as well but much worse. The ceiling cracking was small but this is much larger (pics to follow).

A little background. The entire house was badly nicotine stained so we TSPd the walls, and after proper clean up primed the entire house with BIN primer to cover the stains. The house is also a concrete construction with original plaster walls. However, in the bathroom we replaced most of the plaster with the proper drywall for bathroom conditions, except the small section of wall that is now seeing the cracking. I believe it was oil based paint underneath as well.

We will obviously need to sand, crack fill and repaint. Just looking for suggestions on what paint to use, and any tips to ensure this won't happen again.


Thanks in advance for your expertise!


Photo 1 shows the wall area that is cracking

Photo 2 gives a reference point for where in the room this is. It's right above the picture on the wall on the right hand side, closest to the shower. A side note, the paint between the shower and the spot in question is fine.

 

[Brushjockey]

What was the paint and sheen you used on both the ceiling and walls?

what causes that cracking- called alligatoring- is when 2 or more levels of paint expand and contract at different rates. Temp differences often do this as much as humidity.
is the wall an outside wall- insulated? feel real cold?

I would scrape any loose material and then prime damaged areas, maybe whole wall and ceiling with a clear primer called Gardz.
then skim damage with joint compound, sand smooth, reprime and paint 2 coats.
The Gardz will seal the area making a vapor barrier, plus it is going to give a layer that will flex with small changes.
Use a quality eggshell on the ceiling and walls. This will have more moisture resistance than a flat. You could go higher sheen on the walls if the look appeals to you.

 

[joecaption]

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/hom...problem-solver/peeling-cracking/alligatoring/

 

[ltd]

not saying this is the reason ,but tsp is not recommend when using bin .If you rinsed it good with clean water you will be fine .

 

[Gymschu]

A window in the shower.....interesting.

 

[Brushjockey]

Gym- very common in old houses- they started as tubs- no shower.

 

[jsheridan]

I'm not touching that!

 

[747]

A window in the shower.....interesting.

I have a window in my tub shower combo. I kind of like. Its not that big. Its a small slider. I just open before taking a shower. Steam goes rite out.

ps. To original poster. LIke one guy said. Scrape and go with a primer sealer. When i did my bathroom slickshift recomended bullseye and permawhite.

 

[Gymschu]

I'm not touching that!

Joe, I guess I sounded a bit creepy with that quote, yikes! Note to all: Just don't see a full-sized window in a shower area very often, although I can see it being useful as ventilation, etc.

 

[Matthewt1970]

Joe, I guess I sounded a bit creepy with that quote, yikes! Note to all: Just don't see a full-sized window in a shower area very often, although I can see it being useful as ventilation, etc.

We have a lot of older homes around here that have them. A lot of them are wood and wood in the shower = rot.

 

[jsheridan]

Joe, I guess I sounded a bit creepy with that quote, yikes! Note to all: Just don't see a full-sized window in a shower area very often, although I can see it being useful as ventilation, etc.

It didn't sound creepy, it just looked a bit like the entrance to a minefield. I have a defective filter.

 

[747]

Oh i also noticed on the first pic he doesn't have anything covering window. I ran a shower rod over window wall and cut a shower curtain. So its covered when i take a shower. I just slide the curtain back a little when i open the window. Original poster Might want to do this if you take showers.

 

[RobynSN]

Brushjockey - Thanks for the info. We picked up the Gardz and plan to fix things up this weekend. The wall is not an exterior wall and it doesn't feel particularly cold (it is insulated).

ltd- We were aware of the Tsp/BIN warning and made sure to rinse thoroughly afterwards. If you saw the state of the walls/ceiling from the nicotine… the water I squeegeed off the walls was dark brown :/

Gymschu- The home is an "Insulite concrete" home from the 50s and they all have a window in the shower. We talked to several people with these types of homes and no one has experienced a program. I'm sure the concrete construction would be a bit better than if it were wood. At least, hope so.

747- If you're referencing the privacy issue, the window was made frosted so no peep show