How to paint the surface in Bathroom

VJ
by VJ
Hello All,

Recently my bathroom had a leak and the plumbing guys had to remove and replace sheetrock for the same. Once done they did not bring it to the original condition. They just installed Sheetrock, did not paint etc.

Can someone please suggest how to go around with painting this? I need to paint both a section of wall as well as some part of the roof. I want to restore it to the original condition. Attached pictures.
  15 answers
  • Bernice H Bernice H on Nov 06, 2017

    Not a biggie...just use primer or any flat paint...maybe 2 coats? Maybe not. then paint the color you want..in the finish you want..semi gloss probably.

  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Nov 06, 2017

    Oh my, if these are pictures of how they left it, they really left you with a mess. It looks like there is joint compound on the wall as well as all over the ceiling. For the wall, you could take of a chip of paint (then patch it yourself).


    Take the chip of paint to anywhere they have paint and they should be able to color-match it. It looks like it's a semi-gloss or possibly even a glossy surface. You would probably know - it's hard to tell from a picture.


    You're going to have to sand everything down until it's smooth. You might be able to use a damp sponge to start the process and make it go a little faster, but you have to let it dry before you know if it's right. I think you'll need to sand that last bit, if needed, to make it look right. The same for the ceiling. I would actually call them back and ask them if they meant to leave your patch without sanding it. See if they'll come back and fix it. I had a plumber cut a hole in our ceiling to check an upstairs shower drain and he left without even fixing to hole so I can sympathize with you.

  • Michele Pappagallo Michele Pappagallo on Nov 06, 2017

    First thing I would do is call the sheetrock guy and ask for your money back. What a horrible job! Your surface should be smooth with no gaps, lumps, splotchy areas, etc. There should be no peeling drywall paper, etc as well. Frankly, I think you will have to have the area repaired again before you bother to paint it because I don't see how you will ever be able to blend that in and make it look right in the condition they left it in. After it has been repaired correctly, you should ask the sheetrock repairmen to texture it to match your ceiling, and then all you have to do is paint it.

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Nov 06, 2017

    If the plumbers did that, talk to their superior about how they left the job, email them these pictures if you have to. Obviously they only knew how to do the job part way and leave you with a mess to finish. Your home improvement center should be able to help you match the texture of the wall and ceiling once the mess is cleaned up. It may end up cheaper to have them do it for you. I have heard good things about the people from Lowes and Home Depot that do work in the home. For the time and money you would spend and for your self being safe, it may be worth it to have them do it. It would be an awful lot of overhead work.

  • Big lulu Big lulu on Nov 06, 2017

    These guys are PLUMBERS not sheet rock guys.

    You need to call a painter that also good with mudding and spackle as well as painting. A good painter will be able to fix all this.

    Big box stores do not employ people that do this. They have people they call but they are independent contractors and why go thru HD when you can call one directly.

  • Sharon Sharon on Nov 06, 2017

    Plumber's don't usually repair walls, they leave it open and you repair it or hire some to do it for you. Its fixable.

    Get a power sander and sand the patched areas smooth, then I would give it a good skim coat with pre-mixed joint compound from the edge of the painted ceiling across the whole patched area, and if needed down the wall onto the sanded joint compound. I use a 12" compound knife or 6" knife... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ9MtOyIBqU

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9ep-PZTXCg

    Sand again, then if needed do another thinner coat, sand then prime and paint.

  • Cindy Cindy on Nov 06, 2017

    I agree with the above comments. Start by contacting the plumber's superior. Let them know that if they don't fix the mess, that you will post these pictures on their website along with your review. If you get no satisfaction, you might consider contacting the Better Business Bureau, your local news program and even your state's attorney. Work like that is unacceptable. There are people you can contact that will help you. Wishing you well.

  • Kim Kim on Nov 06, 2017

    I would contact the plumbing company, and the insurance company (I am assuming there was an insurance claim).

    They should make the necessary repairs back to its original shape. If it’s an insurance claim, I would insist on a different contractor.


    To repair it yourself, you will want to trim all peeling paint at the edge of where it is peeling.

    Smooth the existing drywall mud with sand paper or a drywall sanding screen. Wash the painted areas that surround all the drywall work with a deglosser like ‘NoSand’ making a 12” wide border of deglossed paint.

    Using a finish grade spackle, you will want to cover all of the new drywall with a skim coat using a large mud knife. The drywall has been installed upside down and cannot be painted without the skimcoat.

    Once the skimcoat is completely dry, you will want to apply more spackle tosmooth area and feather it level with your existing finished walls. Once it’s dry, sand and use a lightly damp tile sponge to smooth out any bumps.

    Once you are satisfied with your repairs you can put primer on the area. Use two coats (allow to dry completely between coats) if needed for complete coverage.

    When primer is dry, wash all the walls and ceiling with TSP.

    Remove switch plate and receptical covers. Tape switches and plug ins. Tape window edges and floor edges. Use painters paper and tape to tape at floor edges. Cover floor with plastic and start painting. Two coats is best. Allow to dry completely between coats.

    I hope that helps

    😊

  • VJ VJ on Nov 06, 2017

    Thank you all for the comments. The plumber came through my home warranty and the deal was to only fix sheetrock. They never said they will texture it back. Given that is the case, please suggest if the job is terrible?


    Also, I may end up doing this paint patchwork myself as this is not covered by home warranty.

    • Kim Kim on Nov 08, 2017

      They did a terrible job. Repaired Sheetrock would imply that your walls would be ready to texture and paint.

      The Sheetrock is installed backwards and even if it were in the right direction, it is not done well. There should be smooth transitions and no peeling paint.

      Have you made a claim with your homeowners insurance? Perhaps you could get the repairs done that way.

      If not, I am sure you can make the repairs. Just be patient with yourself and who knows, maybe this experience will be the beginning of a lifetime of DIY!!!

      😊

  • Ginny Ginny on Nov 06, 2017

    I agree with previous comments about contacting plumbing co. Was replacement to original state in the contract? I recently had a "go 'round" with a vinyl flooring co. owner who said "it wasn't in the contract" but they came back and "fixed" problem. Still looks awful....for $1400 it should look better. I am not going to pursue because it raises my blood pressure, and I can't afford that. Usually I fight to the last round.

  • Dfm Dfm on Nov 06, 2017

    omg. I did a better mud job as a teenager with 5 min of instruction. Do check the contracts carefully.....this I would report to the bbb.

  • William William on Nov 07, 2017

    It's a terrible drywall job but they are plumbers and did what they do. You would need to cut any loose drywall paper. Then try to sand the drywall compound as smooth as you can. You then can apply a thin coat drywall patching compound to the whole area. Use a paint brush (stipple), sponge, plastic shopping bags. putty knife, to get the texture. Experiment! Once dry you can prime and paint

  • Bernice H Bernice H on Nov 07, 2017

    Looking at it again...he did not smooth out the taping and mud??? Good gravy! Well that’s obviously got to be smoothed...sanded? Then paint. What a bummer...

  • VJ VJ on Nov 07, 2017

    Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I will probably work with Home Depot/Lowes to see if I can get a guy to do the job. Else, will follow the instructions shared by you all.

  • VJ VJ on Nov 27, 2017

    And here it is, finished version. Did the following:

    1. Sand
    2. Pre-Mixed Joint Compound
    3. Texture
    4. Primer
    5. Paint