Fix flaking ceiling paint

Q: I have noticed paint chips on top of the desk in my second-floor den. A small patch of paint on the ceiling directly overhead is flaking and peeling away, although I don’t see any discoloration. This is an older house, and the ceiling is plaster (covered with a latex paint). Could there be an incompatibility between the paint and plaster, or is something else going on here? — Sarah G., Hartford, Conn.

A: If a primer was used before the latex paint was rolled on to the ceiling, then peeling shouldn’t be a problem for at least several years. I think a moisture problem exists. Since the peeling is limited to one small area, and the room is on the second floor (I assume it’s a two-story home), you may have a leak in the roof.

Leaks can occur even in newly installed roofs due to improper installation or storm damage. If your roof is less than 10 years old, it is likely covered by a warranty, and the installer can send out a repairman to check and fix the problem. If it’s not covered by warranty, you’ll have to find the leak and repair it yourself, or hire a professional. If the roof is more than 10 years old, it’s time for a complete inspection.

Meantime, you need to minimize the damage that is already occurring and repair the interior ceiling. To prevent water from pooling above the area (which can lead to the damage spreading), use a nail or ice pick to punch a small hole in the center of the peeling spot. Place a bucket underneath to catch dripping water.

If you have access to the area above the ceiling (the attic or crawlspace), head up there with a flashlight and look for water, moisture or water stains, either on the floor or along the roof sheathing. Follow the trail of moisture to the likely entry point and mark that spot. Use a towel to soak up pooled water, then contact a professional to make the repair.

You may decide to handle the repair yourself, especially if the leak is small and the source appears to be only one spot. In this case, mark the entry point. Then, drive a tenpenny (large) nail upward, through the roof sheathing, until it juts out through the roof shingle.

Go onto the roof (be sure to secure yourself with a rope to prevent a fall) and find the nail. Check the surrounding shingles for damage — a torn shingle can sometimes be several feet from the leak’s entry point. Remove damaged shingles and the tenpenny nail. Patch the entry point you marked, and any other entry points, with roofing compound. Then put new shingles in place, working from the lowest point upward.

Once the source of the leak is repaired, you can safely fix the ceiling. Allow the plaster to dry for a couple of days, then scrape away the old paint, prime the area (have the paint store put a moisture-resistant additive into the new paint or primer) and repaint.

HOME TIP: Paint flaking away from the ceiling is always a cause for concern. Moisture is the primary cause, but painting over a different base (oil vs. latex) can also result in peeling after a few years.