Wall problems
Smoke and soot stains
Ceilings yellowed by smoking, walls darkened above the cooker, fireplace or a heater. With ordinary paint, the stain shows through again.
Get quotesHow to recognise it
- Yellow or brown ceilings and walls, darker towards the ceiling.
- A dark shadow above cookers, fireplaces, wood stoves and heaters.
- A sticky or greasy film on the walls, especially in kitchens.
- Outlines of pictures and furniture lighter than the wall around them.
Where it comes from
- Tobacco smoke: nicotine and tar yellow the wall and bleed through paint.
- Fireplaces, wood stoves and gas or paraffin heaters.
- Cooking grease with no extraction.
- A fire: soot and smell through the whole room.
What the painter does
Wash
Degrease walls and ceilings with a proper cleaner, top to bottom.
Rinse and dry
Detergent left behind also stops paint gripping.
Stain-blocking primer
On the stained areas or everywhere, depending on the case. This is the step that stops the stain coming back.
Two coats of paint
Washable paint in kitchens.
What it adds to the job
- Washing is a separate step that takes time, especially on ceilings.
- Stain-blocking primer, which costs more than ordinary primer.
- In homes smoked in for years, ceilings, doors and skirting usually need it too.
- On the quote, look for: washing the surfaces and stain-blocking primer.
Photos that help the painter
One of the darkest area and one of the whole room with the ceiling in view.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the stain come back after painting?
Smoke stains contain substances that dissolve in water-based paint and come up through it. Stain-blocking primer acts as a barrier; without it, the stain reappears within days.
What about the smell of smoke?
Washing and sealing with stain-blocking primer cuts the smell a lot, because it is locked underneath. Curtains, fabrics and upholstery need cleaning separately.
Get quotes with this problem already noted
The request opens with a note for the painters about this problem. You can change anything.
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