Peeling Paint
Blues
by William A. Lotz, P.E.
Paint companies sell a lot of paint as
a result of moisture problems. I have
seen several expensive houses this year
that were built in the fall of 1986 and
by January 1987, the paint was failing.
When the paint manufacturer's
representative was called to the site by
the builder to determine the cause of
the failure, the contractor was left
with more questions than answers. As
they typically do, the sales rep pricked
the clapboards with a moisture meter,
declared "excessive moisture," and left
with the comment that his paint was
not to blame.
When two different brands of paint
(primer and finish coat) are used on
the building, the contractor