Painting Over Water Stains: Pro Tips for the Perfect Finish

Painting over water stains spread across painted light blue ceiling
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Painting over water stains is tempting from the moment they first appear. Water stains are ugly and spoil the aesthetic of a crisp, clean ceiling or wall. But before you think about adding a new coat of paint to cover them, you need to ask yourself how they got there to begin with. 

The most common cause is a water leak, especially in ceilings. A slow leak in your pipework, or a leaking radiator, could be feeding the stain and causing it to turn that horrible brown, typically caused by rust somewhere in your water system. 

Alternatively, it could be a one-off water spill or rising damp that is leaving an unattractive and unwanted mark. Before painting a wall or ceiling, you should take care to ensure there are no leaks or spills still occurring. If there are, any future work will be compromised before it's even started.

In this guide, we'll show you how best to go about painting over water stains, so your walls and ceilings look fresh and appealing once again — and to prevent stains reappearing.

Brown water stains visible on white ceiling above dark wood unit

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Can You Simply Paint Over Water Stains on a Wall or Ceiling? 

Whatever the reason is behind your water stains, it needs to be identified and dealt with before you even think about doing any painting. (And bear in mind, if you're painting over mould, you'll first need to eradicate the issue and follow a slightly different process.)  

If it was a one-off water spill, you simply need to let it dry. But if it's a leaking pipe or rising damp, you need to get the issue fixed before attempting anything else. 

Once the root cause has been eliminated, leave your wall or ceiling completely to dry out. Don't start painting a ceiling while it is still damp, otherwise you'll risk damaging the existing paintwork, and possibly the ceiling itself, further. 

Simply adding a new coat of emulsion won’t solve the problem, either. Emulsion is a water-based paint, so it doesn’t form a barrier to stop any water stains from reappearing. The stain blends with the new paint, meaning it will simply stay on your ceiling or wall. It doesn’t matter how many coats you add, you won’t hide the water stain. 

How Do You Get Rid of Water Stains? 

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If a water stain has caused any damage, e.g. cracks or flaking plaster, make sure that you repair the area first. This will help get a great finish and improve paint adhesion. 

To cover the stain, you will need a specialist stain blocker (such as the Zinsser Cover Stain) or an oil-based paint. This creates a waterproof barrier that the water stain won’t be able to penetrate. 

If you already have an oil-based undercoat or gloss at home, you can save yourself money by using these. Use the undercoat by itself, or mix with the gloss to create an effective homemade stain blocker. 

Make sure that the water stain is dry, then simply paint over it using a brush or roller and leave to dry. Feather the edges so that the paint blends with the surrounding area. One coat should be enough.

Once dry, you can then apply your emulsion for the final coat to hide the stain. However, you may find that the new paint and old paint don't quite match. This is a good time to give the whole ceiling or wall a few new coats, testing different types of paint and finishes to get the best results for your living space.

Man painting over water stains on cream wall

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Can You Get Rid of Water Marks on Lining Paper and Painted Wallpaper? 

If painting over water stains isn't an option, you can still look to eliminate as much of the stain as possible using a special solution. 

Mix together one part bleach and three parts warm water and add to a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the stain, leave for a few minutes and wipe off with a clean damp sponge. 

This is at its most effective on white or light coloured walls and ceilings, and a great idea if water stains start appearing in spots across your lining or painted wallpaper.

Is It Worth Painting Over Water Stains?

Painting over water stains is definitely a task worth undertaking, as the stains themselves can make your walls and ceilings appear in poor condition, which is something no homeowner wants.

A straightforward paint job across each water-stained area after it has dried out will help neaten things up and revitalise the appearance of your living space.

Depending on the extent of marks left by water stains, though, you may wish to embark upon a much bigger painting job than initially planned for improved results throughout your home.

If so, make sure you have some of the best paint rollers and brushes at your disposal to complete the project and get your home looking pristine once again.

Steve Jenkins

Steve Jenkins is a freelance content creator with over two decades of experience working in digital and print and was previously the DIY content editor for Homebuilding & Renovating. 

He is a keen DIYer with over 20 years of experience in transforming and renovating the many homes he has lived in. He specialises in painting and decorating, but has a wide range of skills gleaned from working in the building trade for around 10 years and spending time at night school learning how to plaster and plumb.

He has fitted kitchens, tiled bathrooms and kitchens, laid many floors, built partition walls, plastered walls, plumbed in bathrooms, worked on loft conversions and much more. And when he's not sure how to tackle a DIY project he has a wide network of friends – including plumbers, gas engineers, tilers, carpenters, painters and decorators, electricians and builders – in the trade to call upon.