Pelham - Windham News

4 Home Improvement - May 7, 2010

Easy fixes for spring water stains

It happens every year. Months of wet winter weather followed by the spring thaw produce one of the most common household problems: water stains on ceilings and walls. You might be tempted to cover

water stains by applying a fresh coat of paint. But, chances are, it won’t work. Most water stains will bleed right through ordinary paint—no matter how many coats you apply. Fortunately, there are ways to permanently block water stains and prevent them from

ruining your new paint job. “Some homeowners don’t know that paint alone won’t seal in wa- ter stains,” says Tim O’Reilly, busi- ness manager for Zinsser primers. “But by following a few simple steps and using the right products, they can make it look like the water stain never happened.” First, make sure the surface is sound and eliminate the source of the water leak or you’ll soon have another unsightly water stain. Patch any holes, and repair any unstable surfaces.

Clean the stained area with a solution of one cup bleach per gallon of water, and then rinse thoroughly with water to remove mildew, dirt and other deposits. Next, dry the surface completely, using a hair dryer to dry small areas. Larger areas may require the use of a dehumidifier, heater or fan to ensure the surface is completely dry before painting. Prime the surface with a primer like Bulls Eye 1-2-3 PLUS, a water- based primer which completely blocks water stains and will

8 THIN & TALL filler (self promo)

prevent the stain from bleed- ing through the topcoat. Allow the primer to dry for one hour before painting with your desired topcoat. For the most severe water damage, use shellac-based B-I-N Primer. Great for interior and spot exterior use, the natural shellac resins in B-I-N permanently block all kinds of stains—even severe water stains and stains from fire and smoke. It’s the ultimate stain blocking primer.

After the primer has dried, finish up with your desired topcoat. For

thumbs@

areanewsgroup .com

Did you know our

Classifieds are

online?

Ad

880-1516

Place an

To

“T

call

ar

ceilings, consider using Zins- ser Ceiling Paint, a water-based ceiling paint that offers superior stain blocking coverage in just one coat. It goes on pink to show cov- erage and dries to a bright white flat sheen in under an hour. The mold- and mildew-resistant finish is ideal for ceilings in kitchens, bathrooms, basements and more. For more information on Zinsser’s complete line of primers – or for more helpful home improvement “tips” – visit www.zinsser.com.

- Courtesy of ARAcontent

?

?

? Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26