Is this efflorescence/escape of salts General decorating topics, questions and answers. find help, tips and advice on completing your decorating projects

[francetim]

Dear @DIYDoctor friends. I have a new interior dry (boarded) wall after a water leak 6 months ago that soaked up my kitchen walls. Having dried out the room thoroughly (for 2 months with dehum), I (proudly) gave the newly boarded walls two coats of emulsion. A few weeks on, the paint is 'fluffing up' (as shown in the photo) in a few places.

Is this efflorescence/escape of salts from the previously damp wall? I have read about this and am also paranoid it means the wall is still damp.

If it is efflorescence, what can I do to remedy it?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer a novice!

[stoneyboy]

Hi francetim,
I assume the walls were plaster boarded using the dot and dab process. It look very much like the wall is still damp and the blowing is probably where there is a dot between the wall and plasterboard.
Try tapping the board to determine where the dots are and if they coincide with the damp patches you have a damp problem.
Regards S