How to Paint Over a Water Spot

If you've had a water leak in your home, you know that brown water spots are sometimes present after the water stops flowing. They can appear on ceilings, walls, or floors. The good news is that they are easy to hide if done properly. Here's how to paint over a water spot.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stain blocking primer
• Paint
• A paint brush

1. Identify the source of the water leak and repair it. If you have a brown water spot on a ceiling, it may be from a leak in the roof of your house. Patch the roof before you begin. Or, you may have a leaky water pipe. Fix the pipe to eliminate the leak before you begin with painting.

2. Paint the water spot with a high quality stain blocking primer, such as Kilz, after the source of the water leak is fixed. Ensure that the water spot is completely dry before beginning with the project. Use a paint brush and completely cover the stain.

3. After the primer has dried, apply regular paint to match your existing colors. This will ensure the concealing of any remaining water spots on your ceiling or wall.

Tips & Warnings

• If sheetrock is damaged or moldy, it may need to be replaced entirely.

Resources

• A Good Stain Blocking Primer