Bathroom painting

For UK homeowners, a professional finish isn't just about aesthetics; it is about creating a moisture-resistant barrier that prevents peeling, bubbling, and the growth of hazardous black mould. Investing in the correct preparation and specialist materials now will save you the cost of a full strip-back and repaint in just a few years.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Surface Assessment: Checking for "blown" plaster, persistent damp, or existing mould that requires chemical treatment.
• Cleaning & Degreasing: Scrubbing walls with sugar soap to remove hairspray, soap scum, and oils that prevent paint from bonding.
• Protection: Masking off taps, shower controls, and sanitaryware, and laying heavy-duty drop cloths over the bath and floor.
• Preparation: Sanding woodwork to provide a "key," filling minor cracks, and raking out any failing sealant around the basin or tub.
• Priming: Applying a stain-blocking or moisture-resistant primer to any bare plaster or repaired areas.
• Painting: Applying at least two coats of specialist bathroom-grade paint (usually a soft sheen or eggshell finish) to walls and ceilings.
• Woodwork: Painting skirting boards, door frames, and window sills with durable, water-resistant gloss or satinwood.

Typical Costs

The cost of bathroom painting in the UK depends heavily on the size of the room and the amount of "cutting in" required around tiles and fixtures. Prices below include VAT and assume standard professional-grade materials.

Expect to pay a premium for bathrooms with significant mould issues, as these require specialist fungicidal washes and longer drying times between treatments. If your bathroom is fully tiled, the cost will be lower as there is less wall surface to cover, though the precision required for "cutting in" remains high.

How Long Does It Take?

• Small WC/Cloakroom: 1 day (Prep in the morning, two coats by late afternoon).
• Standard Bathroom: 1.5 to 2 days (Allows for proper drying between coats in humid conditions).
• Extensive Prep/Mould Treatment: 2 to 3 days (Includes chemical cleaning and drying time for fillers).

DIY or Professional?

While painting a bedroom is a common DIY task, bathrooms are notoriously difficult for amateurs. The proximity of water means any mistake in preparation—such as painting over a damp patch or failing to degrease properly—will lead to the paint peeling off in sheets within months.

A professional decorator has the tools to "cut in" perfectly around awkward pipework and toilet cisterns without getting paint on your expensive tiles. Furthermore, they will know which specific primers (such as Zinsser B-I-N or Bulls Eye 1-2-3) are needed to bond to tricky surfaces like old gloss or damp-prone plaster.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Qualifications: Look for decorators who are members of the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) or are City & Guilds qualified.
• Verify Experience: Ask to see photos of previous bathroom projects, specifically looking at the neatness of the lines around tiles and ceilings.
• Request a Detailed Quote: Ensure the quote specifies the brand of paint (e.g., Dulux Trade Diamond Matt or Zinsser Perma-White) and the number of coats.
• Insurance: Confirm they hold valid Public Liability Insurance to cover any accidental damage to your bathroom suite.

Top Tip: Ask your decorator if they intend to remove the sealant before painting. Painting over silicone sealant is a common mistake; the paint will crack and peel almost immediately.

UK Regulations

• VOC Compliance: All paints used must comply with UK Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) limits to ensure indoor air quality.
• Part F (Ventilation): If your bathroom has persistent mould, a decorator may advise that you are in breach of Building Regulations regarding ventilation and suggest installing a more powerful extractor fan.
• Waste Disposal: Professionals should be registered waste carriers if they are removing old paint tins or large amounts of debris from your property.

Common Problems

• Painting Over Silicone: Paint will not stick to silicone sealant. Old sealant should be removed and replaced after painting is complete.
• Flash Drying: In very warm bathrooms, paint can dry too quickly, leaving visible brush marks and "lap lines."
• Moisture Trapping: If you use the shower too soon after painting (usually within 24–48 hours), the steam will penetrate the curing paint, causing it to bubble.
• Poor Degreasing: Any residue of bath oil or soap on the walls will cause the new paint to "fish-eye" or fail to adhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use standard emulsion in my bathroom?

No. Standard matt emulsion is porous and will absorb moisture, leading to mould growth and peeling. Always use a specialist "Kitchen & Bathroom" paint or a high-quality "Trade" eggshell finish which contains fungicides and a water-resistant binder.

How long should I wait to shower after the bathroom is painted?

Most professionals recommend waiting at least 24 hours, but 48 hours is safer. Even if the paint feels dry to the touch, it takes several days to "cure" fully and reach its maximum moisture resistance.

Does the decorator need me to remove the toilet or basin?

Usually, no. Decorators are skilled at painting around fixtures. However, if you are planning to replace your suite, it is much more cost-effective to have the room painted while the old suite is out and before the new one is installed.

How do I stop mould from coming back after painting?

Paint is a deterrent, not a cure. Ensure your extractor fan is working correctly and clean it of dust. A professional can apply a fungicidal wash before painting to kill any spores deep within the plaster.

Why is my new bathroom paint peeling already?

This is usually due to "inter-coat adhesion failure." It happens if the previous surface was too glossy and wasn't sanded, or if there was moisture trapped in the plaster before the paint was applied.