Ever looked at your walls and wondered, “Why does the paint in my London flat never last?”
Peeling, bubbling, mould… it feels like the walls are fighting back.
Here’s the truth:
Most London homes have hidden problems behind the paint — damp, mould, weak plaster, or water damage.
If those aren’t fixed first, the paint will fail repeatedly.
Here we will discuss why these issues keep returning, how to deal with them the right way, and what you should do before repainting any room.
Why Paint Fails So Fast in Homes
Damp and Mould Behind the Paint
London homes trap moisture easily. Small kitchens, tiny bathrooms, closed windows, old vents… and then mould shows up.
Facts:
- 4% of English homes have damp in at least one room.
- 60% of UK residents have faced mould at least once.
If you see mould on painted walls, the wall is wet inside.
Painting over it won’t work – the mould returns, usually faster.
Old or Weak Plaster
Many London flats are old.
Old plaster cracks, crumbles, or separates from the wall.
When plaster is unstable, paint won’t stick, no matter what paint you use.
Water Damage or Condensation
If your paint is bubbling, it usually means water is behind it.
If it’s cracking, the wall may be moving or drying unevenly.
Common signs:
- paint bubbling on wall water damage
- walls cracking after painting
These are not “paint issues”. These are water issues.
Poor Surface Prep
If the old paint wasn’t removed properly…
If the wall wasn’t dry…
If mould wasn’t treated…
The new paint will fail. Every time.
Wrong Paint or Low-Quality Paint
Some paints just aren’t made for damp London walls.
You need the right primer + the right paint — especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and older flats.
How to Fix Paint Problems the Right Way
Find the Actual Problem
Don’t start with paint.
Start with checking the wall: damp? mould? bad plaster?
Treat Damp and Mould First
Clean the mould, treat it properly, improve airflow.
Never paint over mould. It always returns.Fix Cracks and Flaky Areas
Scrape loose paint, repair damaged plaster, fill cracks.
This is the step most people skip — and skipping it guarantees failure.
Use the Right Primer and Paint
Moisture-resistant primer + good quality paint.
This is essential for London homes.
Paint Correctly
Two thin coats, not one thick coat.
Good airflow while drying.
Call a Professional If Needed
If the problem keeps coming back, you likely have hidden damp or weak plaster.
Quick Fixes for Common Problems
Paint is peeling
Clean, scrape, repair, prime, repaint.
Check the wall for damp.
Paint is blistering or bubbling
Usually moisture.
Dry the wall, repair the cause, then repaint.
Flaky walls
Scrape everything off, fix the surface, use bonding primer, then paint.
Mould keeps returning
You must fix the moisture source — not just kill the surface mould.
Signs and Causes
What You See | Why It Happens |
Peeling | Wall is damp or surface was weak |
Bubbling | Moisture behind the paint |
Cracking | Old plaster or fast drying |
Does This Sound Like Your London Flat?
Whether you’re in Camden, Lewisham, Stratford, Brixton, or Greenwich — the pattern is the same:
small rooms + old buildings + London weather = paint problems.
Final Words
Painting is easy.
Making paint last in a London home requires proper preparation, dry walls and the right materials.
If your walls keep peeling, bubbling or cracking, you may need a complete repair instead of a quick repaint.
Paint and Handy fixes the underlying wall problems first, so the finish actually stays.
FAQs
Why does paint peel so fast in London homes?
Because the wall underneath is usually damp, mouldy, or poorly plastered. Many London flats have old plaster, hidden moisture in corners, or walls that don’t fully dry out. When the surface isn’t solid, paint lifts and peels quickly.
Why does paint bubble on my wall?
Bubbling means moisture is pushing the paint away from the wall. This happens when there’s condensation, a small leak, or water trapped behind old layers of paint. Once the wall gets wet inside, bubbles appear within days.
How do I stop mould returning after painting?
You must fix the moisture source first. That means improving ventilation, drying the wall fully, repairing leaks, and then using a mould-resistant primer and paint. If the wall stays damp, mould will always come back no matter what paint you use.
Can I paint over a flaky wall?
You can, but only after proper prep. The loose paint has to be scraped off, the surface sanded, cracks filled, and a primer applied. If you skip the prep and paint straight over flakes, it will peel again almost immediately.
Why does my bathroom paint crack?
Bathrooms in London trap steam easily. Without good ventilation, the humidity sits on the walls and dries unevenly. Over time, this constant moisture cycle causes cracking, peeling, and patchy paint — especially on older plaster.