Fix it yourself
Painter repairs you can do yourself
4 painter problems a careful person can handle at home — and the point where each one becomes a job for a pro.
- You can do
- 4
- Pro-only
- 0
- Typical time
- 30 min – 4 h
- 01Open
Ceiling water stain bleeding through paint
Press the stain: if it is damp or soft, the leak above is still active — find and fix it before any painting.
easy 30–90 min· $10–30 for a stain-blocking primer
- 02Open
Mildew growing on painted walls
Ventilate and wear gloves and a mask; wash the wall with a bleach solution or fungicidal wash and leave it 20 minutes before rinsing.
easy 1–2 h· $15–50 for wash, primer and paint
- 03Open
Paint bubbling or blistering
Cut one bubble open: if the wall behind is wet, there is a leak or condensation — solve that first. If it is dry, the paint was applied to a hot, damp, or dusty surface.
moderate 1–3 h· $15–40 for primer and paint
- 04Open
Peeling paint
Find out why it peeled: moisture behind the wall (bathrooms, exterior walls, below windows) or paint applied over a glossy or dirty surface. Fix the moisture first or it will peel again.
moderate 1–4 h· $20–60 for primer, filler and paint
What it costs
Typical rates by country, so you can compare DIY parts against a pro's invoice.
Cost guideDo this for a living
These are the calls a painter takes every week. Licensing, training and where the work is short of people.
How to become a painter