Screeding is one of the final steps in giving your walls that smooth, flawless finish before painting. But what happens when, after spending money and time, your screeded wall starts peeling off?
This is a frustrating issue for homeowners, landlords, and even contractors. The truth is, a peeling screeded wall can happen for several reasons — from material issues to poor workmanship.
Here’s a deeper look at why your screeded wall is peeling and what you can do to prevent it.
1. Poor Mixing Proportion of Screeding Materials
One of the biggest culprits is wrong mixing ratios during the screeding process.
For proper screeding, you need a correct combination of:
- POP cement or ordinary cement
- Screeding paint
- Top gum (bonding adhesive)
If the screeder uses too little or no top gum, the screeding won’t properly bond to the wall. Over time, it will start peeling or cracking, no matter how well it was initially applied.
Who’s at fault here?
- Sometimes, the client chooses the cheapest quote, forcing the screeder to cut corners with materials.
- Other times, the artisan or apprentice may deliberately skip the right proportion to “save” materials and increase profit.
Solution: Always ensure your screeder uses the right amount of bonding gum and quality materials. Ask them to state their mixing ratio before work begins.
2. Water Movement Within the Structure
Water and screeding don’t always mix well. Moisture issues in a building can weaken the adhesion of the screeding layer to the wall.
Here’s why:
- There are two main types of wall screeding:
POP cement screeding – Absorbs water easily, which can lead to peeling over time if exposed to dampness.
Ordinary Portland cement screeding – Repels water better, making it more durable for areas prone to moisture.
If POP screeding is applied in a house with damp walls, leaks, or poor drainage, it will likely fail over time.
Solution:
- Identify and fix any source of water seepage (roof leaks, rising damp, plumbing issues).
- Use ordinary cement screeding for damp-prone areas like bathrooms, kitchens, or exterior walls.
3. Lack of Professionalism
Not every “screeder” is a professional. Some are just apprentices looking to make a quick profit without proper site assessment.
A professional screeder should:
Inspect the wall before starting work
Determine the best type of screeding for that particular structure
Use quality materials and correct techniques
Sadly, many so-called “experts” only follow their stomachs – choosing cheaper POP even where ordinary cement is needed, or skipping crucial bonding steps to save costs.
Solution: Always hire experienced professionals for screeding jobs. Ask for references or past work photos. Don’t be swayed by the cheapest quote – you might end up paying twice to fix peeling walls.
How to Fix a Peeling Screeded Wall
If your screeded wall has already started peeling, here’s what you can do:
- Scrape off the peeling sections carefully.
- Repair water damage (if any) before reapplying screeding.
- Re-screed the affected area using the correct materials and bonding agents.
- Consider painting with a moisture-resistant primer before applying the final coat of paint.
Conclusion
A peeling screeded wall isn’t just an eyesore — it’s a sign that something went wrong, either with the materials, application, or the structure itself.
By using the right materials, hiring real professionals, and addressing water issues, you can prevent peeling and enjoy smooth, long-lasting walls.
Have you experienced peeling screeded walls in your home before? What caused it — poor workmanship, wrong materials, or water damage?
