Damaged wall: how to repaint it without major work?

Is your wall damaged and you want to repaint it without embarking on major works? It is true that painting a degraded wall requires some preparation, but for lack of time, resources, knowledge or courage, who has never wanted to go to the simplest and redecorate his wall without constraints? Fortunately, there are some great tips that are easy to apply. Let's do a check in.

Assess the condition of your wall

You cannot decently repaint a damaged wall without some repairs. You must therefore start by assessing the condition of your support. To do this, clean it well so that it is smooth, clean and dry.

Observe its surface and note any cracks, holes, blisters, traces of mold or water damage, etc. It is a question of whether the wall is in good condition, in fair condition or in poor condition.

Depending on the result, we suggest the procedure for repainting it without major work. Obviously, we will not talk about a wall in good condition that will not require any intervention and specific preparation before painting.

It should be noted that if your wall has suffered water damage, it will be necessary to call in a professional beforehand to repair the leak and dry the wall properly. It is indeed strongly recommended not to repaint a wet wall without preliminary treatment, because your efforts will be quickly ruined and you will have to start all over, which will waste time and money.

How to repaint a damaged wall without major work?

If you feel that your damaged wall is in fair condition or in poor condition, here is the procedure to repaint it without major work.

Check the health of the wall

If your wall has traces of mold or moisture, it is essential to first clean it in order to remove them and let it dry well. Use a clean sponge that you will dip in white vinegar to wash off the wall and prevent mold from forming. Wipe the surface well and allow it to dry completely.

If your wall stays wet, the paint will not adhere to it or the traces of moisture will come out and leave unsightly marks on you. If you've had water damage, use a moisture detector to make sure the wall is not yet deeply wet, even if it looks healthy on the surface.

Clean your wall

Using a squeegee, remove any roughness on the surface that no longer sticks to the wall. These could be blisters, chips from old paint, peeling paint, etc. Remove them all to prevent them from reappearing under your new paint.

Fill in holes and cracks

To obtain a good result, you must fill the holes and cracks in the dry wall with suitable plaster. Use a spatula to fill the hole or crack and smooth the surface properly. Leave to dry well according to the time notified by the manufacturer on the product instructions.

Sand the wall

This step is essential because it will allow your paint to adhere better and last longer. Sand the wall surface well with sandpaper or an electric sander. Insist well on the parts with plaster to facilitate the adhesion of the color. Finish by dusting with your vacuum cleaner and then with a slightly damp mop. Leave to dry.

Apply a coat of primer

This undercoat is not mandatory, but it is recommended to obtain a better result. It facilitates the adhesion of the paint (to the point of often reducing the number of coats to be applied), it makes the color more harmonious and durable, and it protects your wall at the same time. In addition, it makes it possible to harmonize the surface and to better hide repairs to cracks and holes.

Start by applying it in the corners using a stirring brush or a traditional brush if you have delimited the surface to be painted with demarcation tape. Then, apply it using a roller, proceeding by squares of 1 m² to avoid too fast drying which would leave unsightly marks. Make a first vertical pass and a second horizontal without applying too much product to avoid runs. Cross the edges of the areas to avoid any traces of demarcation during drying. Let it dry well.

Apply the paint

All you have to do is paint your wall. To do this, proceed as with the undercoat by clearing the edges with the conditioning brush or the classic brush, then painting the flat surfaces with the roller. For your first vertical pass, apply a little paint to avoid runs. The second pass, horizontal, should be used to stretch the paint already applied. Cross the 1 m² squares to avoid demarcation marks and obtain a more harmonious surface.

Let it dry and apply a second coat using the same method, if necessary. All you have to do is admire the fruit of your labor!