Applying paint after a disaster: steps to follow

The first step is to sanitize the affected rooms. Before you think about repainting, you need to make sure the surface and the room are clean enough to safely carry out the work – and so you can work safely too!

Depending on the severity of the damage, it may be best to call in professionals for this step. After a disaster, some surfaces may contain contaminants that can be hazardous to your health. It’s in your best interest to avoid taking risks and make sure the space is safe before moving forward.

The best sanitization method will then depend on the nature of the disaster and the damage caused:

• For water damage

If you’ve experienced a flood or water infiltration, sanitizing starts with one essential step: completely drying out the affected surfaces. You first need to remove standing water, then eliminate the moisture that has seeped into the materials.

This step is especially important to prevent mold from developing in your home. In the case of a larger flood, some surfaces that are heavily contaminated or damaged may even need to be removed and replaced to restore a healthy environment.

Once sanitizing is complete, it’s recommended to check the moisture level of the surfaces you want to repaint using a moisture meter. For an interior surface, aim for a level below 10% before starting any paint work. If the wood or material is still too damp, the paint may not adhere properly, and you could end up with finish problems or even further damage to the surface.

• For a fire

Fire damage can be extensive. Before thinking about repainting, you first need to remove debris, repair or replace damaged materials, and above all make sure the building is stable and safe. The air quality after a fire can also be harmful to your health. That’s why it’s important to get a professional’s guarantee before putting the space back into use.

Even once the rebuild is finished, there’s often another issue to deal with: smoke odors. They can stay embedded in materials for a long time. There can also be traces of soot and smoke on surfaces, even after cleaning.

Don’t worry: with a good cleaning and the right primer, you’ll be able to get rid of even the most stubborn soot stains.

Once the space has been sanitized, it’s time to clean the surfaces you plan to repaint. This step is especially important after a disaster, since dirt, residue, or other contaminants may have built up on the walls and ceilings. While you’re at it, scrape off any areas where the paint is flaking or no longer adhering properly.

This is even more important after a fire. Smoke can leave stubborn particles and traces on surfaces, even where the damage is less visible. In this case, use a good surface-prep cleaner with strong enough stain-removing power.

Krud Kutter is particularly well-suited to this type of cleaning. You can adjust its dilution depending on how much dirt you need to remove.

• Dilute Krud Kutter following a ratio of 6 parts water to 1 part cleaner. For stubborn stains and soot marks, you can use it undiluted.
• Spray it onto the surface. Then scrub with a brush for maximum effect on the most resistant contaminants.
• Let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Then remove the excess cleaner. Technically, Krud Kutter is a residue-free cleaner, but this step is recommended to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
  • For a floor, you can simply rinse it with a garden hose or use a mop.
  • For a wall, just wipe it with a damp cloth.

Then let the surface dry completely before moving on to the painting step.

Once the space is sanitized and cleaned, you can finally move on to the painting step. On a surface that’s been through a disaster, it’s important not to skip the primer step. And just any primer won’t do!

A primer suited to surfaces that have been through a disaster will allow the finish coat to adhere properly and block contaminants that could otherwise keep bleeding through the new paint. Without the right primer, water stains, smoke odors, or soot marks can reappear, even after the surface has been repainted. They could also prevent the paint from adhering properly and contribute to peeling.

Here are a few primers that can save you from a lot of unpleasant surprises after a disaster.

INSL-X Prime Lock

Prime Lock is a fast-drying oil-based primer. That makes it quite practical: it has the excellent hiding power of oil, plus it’s ready to topcoat in just 1 or 2 hours.

It’s a sealing primer, so you can use it to seal all kinds of stains, such as soot, rings left by water damage, and mold marks. It’s also recommended for sealing charred wood.

Its sealing effect will also help to neutralize odors from cigarette smoke or fire smoke, as well as musty odors or dampness.

Even though it’s an oil-based primer, its odor is milder than that of some other products, particularly alcohol- or shellac-based primers. Since it dries in just 2 hours, it’s a good option if people are still living in the house during the work.

Finally, its low cost makes it an excellent product for fixing minor post-disaster issues without having to invest a large sum.

B-I-N: a time-tested formula with guaranteed results

B-I-N is a stain-blocking primer whose effectiveness has long been well established. It’s used in particular to seal wood knots and sap runs, but it’s also very effective at treating damage caused by water, smoke, and fire. It can even permanently block smoke odors left behind by a fire.

Another handy advantage after a disaster: B-I-N can be recoated after just 45 minutes. That means you can move quickly on to applying your finish coat.

That effectiveness does come with a few trade-offs, though. B-I-N is a shellac-based sealer, an older technology that can be a bit less easy to apply. In particular, the product is harder to spread on the surface than a more fluid primer.

Above all, its odor is very strong. Good room ventilation is therefore essential during application. If people are still living in the house, keep in mind that you’ll need to clear the house out during application and for the following hours.

Zinsser Coverstain

Coverstain is an oil-based primer that can be topcoated with either acrylic or oil-based paint. Its formula makes it an excellent stain blocker, particularly for water stains as well as those caused by smoke and fire.

Compared to B-I-N, Coverstain is also much easier to apply. Its consistency makes it easier to spread on the surface, which makes the application experience closer to that of a standard primer. Once applied, it can be recoated after just 2 hours of drying time.

Coverstain therefore offers a good balance between effectiveness and ease of application. It’s powerful enough to block stains left by a disaster, while being easier to work with than B-I-N.

However, keep in mind that it’s an alkyd resin-based product. It gives off a stronger odor than a water-based primer and requires good ventilation during application.

Not sure which primer to choose? This table will make it easier for you:

Your walls are now all ready for a fresh coat of paint! If you’ve followed steps 1 to 3 properly, you’ll be able to apply the paint of your choice. We still recommend two products, depending on your expectations and how you plan to use the room.

Want to keep costs to a minimum?

• Benjamin Moore UltraSpec 500

If you have a large surface to paint and want to keep costs as low as possible for restoring the space, UltraSpec 500 is an excellent paint for you.

You get a paint with excellent hiding power at a low cost. It’s a “contractor” grade product, designed to be pleasant to apply and get the job done while offering an attractive price.

With 2 to 3 coats, you can be sure your walls will look brand new!

Want a paint that will stand the test of time?

• Benjamin Moore Regal

With Regal, the quality steps up. You get a paint that lasts more than a decade. Its hiding power is also even better: just 2 coats are enough to cover the vast majority of surfaces.

Another big advantage of Regal, especially if you’ve had water damage or a moisture problem, is that it has a built-in mildew resistant formula. That’s one more safeguard if you’re painting in a humid environment.

So it’s a bigger investment upfront, but it could pay for itself over the long run.

Start your project now!

You’ll find all the products you need right on our website.

• Start by measuring the dimensions of the room to calculate how much paint you’ll need.
  • One gallon of primer covers between 350 and 500 sq. ft.
  • Ultraspec covers 400 sq. ft., Regal covers 450 sq. ft.
• Choose the primer and finish coat that best suit your project.
• Place your order online and choose between in-store pickup and home delivery.

If you’d like to learn more about paints and specialty primers, check out our blog section dedicated to this topic.