Painting your house following flood damage
Flooding can cause extensive damage to a home, not just from water intrusion but also from the damp and humid conditions that can follow.
After the extensive and devastating flooding in Auckland, Northland and the Hawke's Bay, we have put together some information to help out when it's time to repaint following flood damage.
To prevent additional paint damage, it's important your house is water tight as soon as possible after flooding. Depending on the extent of the flooding, it's important to have a professional inspect your home to make sure its structurally sound and safe - including all electronics - and safe to re-enter.
Safely remove all debris, mud and water. Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves. Proper ventilation is crucial to help dry out damaged surfaces. Ensure that affected areas are well ventilated by opening windows and doors (if weather permits) or use dehumidifiers and fans to help circulate air.
All flood damaged plasterboard, insulation, and timber that cannot be saved should be removed and replaced. Sound and completely dry surfaces can be cleaned with Selleys Sugar Soap. Mould may have started to show in some areas but it is recommended to treat all affected areas, including those above the water level, with Selleys Rapid Mould Killer as mould can be present but not visible prior to repainting.
Here’s how to treat mould and some steps you can take to help prevent it from returning.
Have you or someone you know been affected by the recent flooding? Apply here for a helping hand with Dulux.
Interior wall painting guide
The instructions below provide details for both existing substrates which have not recently been replaced as well as for surfaces with new paperfaced plasterboard (or exposed GIB® board). Please follow the instructions appropriate to you.
Prep - Previously painted surfaces
Clean walls thoroughly with Selleys Sugar Soap and water and allow to dry.
Treat and eliminate any existing mould with Selleys Rapid Mould Killer. Do not attempt to paint over mould as it will re-appear.
Remove any flaked paint with a scraper and fill any cracks with Selleys Spakfilla following the instructions on pack.
Lightly sand walls in preparation for applying primer.
Prep
New surfaces (paperfaced plasterboard and exposed GIB® board)
Fill cracks and surface imperfections with patching plaster or a suitable filler. Any gaps resulting from structural movement should be filled with a flexible gap sealant. Sand to a smooth finish as required. Ensure the level of finish is suitable for the coating sheen level and level of critical light.
Ensure surface is clean and free from dust. Dust off thoroughly with a damp cloth to remove loosely adhering jointing compound or cornice cement. Then you may prime as normal.
Prime
Apply one coat of Dulux 1Step® Prep Water Based Primer, Sealer & Undercoat - a water-based primer which is low VOC, Environmental Choice approved and provides excellent adhesion for your topcoat. Plus it has Mouldshield® technology to help repel any growth.
PRECISION® High Opacity Stain Blocker
For walls with water staining from flood damage we recommend Dulux PRECISION High Opacity Stain Blocker in place of 1Step, to prime and seal the surface. Prepare the walls as above and apply one coat of the stain blocker evenly across the whole wall surface and allow to dry before applying your topcoat.
PRECISION® Stain & Mould Blocker
For walls heavily affected by mould we recommend Dulux PRECISION Stain and Mould Blocker in place of 1Step primer. Once existing mould is eliminated, apply one coat of stain and mould blocker evenly to the whole surface and allow to dry before applying your topcoat.
1Step® Prep Water Based Primer, Sealer & Undercoat
Dulux 1Step® Prep Water Based Primer, Sealer & Undercoat is your first step toward a superior long-lasting paint finish. With mould resistance and stain blocking of tannin and flash rust, 1Step® Prep ensures your interior or exterior paint shines now and into the future.
Paint
Once your walls are primed, lightly sand before applying your topcoat. We recommend Dulux Wash&Wear which has superior washability, low odour, low VOC and is Environmental Choice approved. Dulux Wash&Wear can be tinted to thousands of colours and will keep your walls looking freshly painted for years to come.
For windows, doors and trims we recommend using Dulux Aquanamel as your topcoat. Check out our project guide and video here. Dulux Aquanamel is a hard-wearing water-based enamel that is non-yellowing and is hardy against knocks and scrapes. Aquanamel can be used both indoors and outdoors, and can be tinted to any Dulux colour for a cohesive scheme.
For wet areas such as bathrooms or kitchens, we recommend using Dulux Wash&Wear +PLUS Kitchen and Bathroom built specially to withstand humid or damp environments. The hard-wearing surface formed by Wash&Wear’s exclusive 101 Barrier Technology® contains a powerful mould inhibitor and water-repellent properties so you can wipe away most marks with a wet cloth. Plus it comes with a 10-year guarantee against mould growth*.
*Refer to product label for full conditions
Exterior surface re-painting guide
Remove all dust and debris. Clean and prep exterior surfaces with Dulux Prepwash.
Remove any unsound paint and sand to a sound surface. For more information on exterior preparation, you can read our guide here.
We recommend applying two top coats, allowing each layer to dry sufficiently in between. Dulux Weathershield has been specially designed to provide a tough, hard-wearing finish that provides protection from all weather conditions. Formulated with MaxiFlex™ Technology to expand and contract with the surface, Dulux guarantees Weathershield® won't peel, flake or blister for as long as you live in your home.
You can read more about our Weathershield promise or find out how Dulux has been protecting Department of Conservation huts in some of New Zealand’s harshest conditions for the last ten years here.
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