The climate has a greater effect on your interior painting endeavors than you might realize.
When it comes to
home renovations
The season and corresponding weather conditions may determine whether you can achieve your objectives. Planting fence posts during winter or fixing a roof when it’s raining should be avoided right away; however, painting in the summertime presents a less clear scenario.
Discover how external temperatures influence your indoor painting project and learn strategies to mitigate these effects.
Meet Our Expert
-
Brandon Walker
serves as a construction manager at
ASAP Restoration LLC
. -
Dennis Fiorilli
serves as the director of product excellence at
Sherwin-Williams
.
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How Temperature Affects Paint
You may assume that interior painting tasks wouldn’t typically appear on the list of improvements to skip during hotter months, yet reconsider. High humidity can impact the outcome of your project—here’s what you should know.
Drying Time
High humidity significantly prolongs the drying period and under certain circumstances, this can impact the overall curing process of the paint,” explains Brandon Walker, a construction manager at ASAP Restoration LLC. “Additionally, high humidity may lead to an inconsistent surface appearance. Variations in humidity throughout the day—say during the first versus the fourth hour—can result in differences in how well the paint adheres when applied at various times.
of the project
to the end.”
While you can still paint during humid conditions, it isn’t really the best scenario.
Dennis Fiorilli, who leads product excellence at Sherwin-Williams, explains that high humidity slows the drying of paint. It may increase the wait time for another coat and could lead to dripping where thicker layers have been applied,” he states. “While this issue can be resolved, additional preparation steps become necessary when applying a second layer.
Adhering to Walls
Walker explains that adhesion is crucial for painting, and when the humidity reaches a certain point, it can diminish or even nullify the adhesive properties of the paint being used. He adds that applying extra layers might become difficult under such humid conditions due to the same adhesion issue which hinders proper drying.
Humid conditions are not ideal if you’re on a time constraint and need your walls painted quickly. Avoid painting with this
type of weather
If feasible; below, we provide some methods to reduce moisture levels.
Mold and Mildew
Other significant issues may arise besides application challenges if you decide to paint when the humidity outdoors is too high.
“Mildew
and mold
“Additionally, mold can establish itself more readily in humid conditions. However, when painting is involved, the spores might get trapped within the painted layer, which can destroy the entire paint job,” warns Walker.
Paint Quality
You may believe your painting was flawless, yet issues caused by high humidity could still arise later on.
Walker explains that “high humidity levels may result in paint issues such as cracking, blistering, flaking, chipping, and peeling across specific regions or the whole painted surface, based on environmental factors and the type of paint utilized. Furthermore, painting under humid conditions might trigger the bleeding through of pigments or substances from beneath the paint and primer layers, leading to uneven coloration.”
This isn’t only applicable to a newly painted surface; high humidity can affect even old layers of paint when exposed multiple times.
“Persistent exposure to high moisture levels can result in peeling and mold problems,” Fiorilli explains. “Consider a bathroom without an
exhaust fan
Proper air circulation and regulated temperatures will assist in reducing these problems.
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Choosing the Right Paint
Simply because it’s humid outdoors doesn’t mean painting isn’t possible; selecting the appropriate paint can make all the difference.
“It’s
really
The type of paint finish that performs best under high humidity conditions,” Walker explains, “is typically not flat paint since it tends to absorb moisture from both liquid droplets and vapor. Therefore, high gloss, semi-gloss, and satin finishes are more suitable choices due to their superior resistance to dampness and better adherence qualities in humid settings.
You might want to search for paints that are specifically designed to
limit mold
And issues with mold and mildew growth. Walker points out that these solutions usually come at a higher cost, yet in areas prone to moisture, they might be the most suitable choice. Regardless of your selection, ensure you adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines concerning optimal temperature and humidity levels.
before you paint
Consider employing a moisture meter to assess indoor humidity and water vapor levels.
These options are quite budget-friendly and can prevent a great deal of hassle by offering precise data regarding the environments you’re planning to paint,” states Walker. “A number of models cost less than $30 and can provide all the necessary details before you commit to the painting project.
It’s wise to keep a basic thermometer readily available as well—according to Fiorilli, the optimal temperature is 77°F with 50% relative humidity.
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Eliminating Humidity
Prior to starting your paint job, aim to remove moisture from the space. Fiorilli recommends initiating this procedure one day ahead of time to guarantee the area reaches a consistent temperature before you start painting. Once you’ve applied the last layer of paint, maintain these conditions within the room for at least 24 hours to allow adequate drying.
If your residence has central air conditioning,
air conditioning
,, you can also utilize it for temperature maintenance. However, ensure that the room where you’re working does not have cold drafts that might stir up dust and other debris which could settle into freshly applied paint.”
It’s crucial to maintain an absence of water vapor in this region throughout the entire curing period of the paint—not merely on the initial drying day,” Walker explains. “This ensures proper curing and provides a superior finish with excellent adherence.
Using a Dehumidifier
In numerous instances, you could fare much better.
using a dehumidifier
In the area where you’re concentrating on removing humidity from the atmosphere.
“While it might require additional expenses to keep certain machinery operating until the paint dries in order to remove humidity from the air, this step significantly enhances the overall quality of the coating and painting work,” explains Walker.
Fiorilli recommends examining the walls for dampness as well. “Should there be significant humidity, the walls can accumulate moisture and may feel wet—a situation that should be prevented,” he explains.
In the end, if circumstances appear far from perfect, avoid the temptation to push forward with your painting endeavor.
Just wait,” Walker states. “High humidity can lead to far greater issues than merely postponing painting work would. Just as one wouldn’t construct a roof during rainfall, painting should also be avoided under such damp conditions. It’s essentially asking for trouble.
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Read the initial article on
Better Homes & Gardens
