Is it correct that you shouldnt paint the walls of a new build house until it is 6 months old?

Question

Is it correct that you shouldnt paint the walls of a new build house until it is 6 months old?

Answer 1

I'm not sure but i think this is for Plastering.

codger

Answer 2

It's OK to paint but would not recommend gloss paint, use emulsion and for the first coat water it down by approx 10%

Answer 3

I have never hear that either. I see no reason not to paint the walls. I have seen many new houses with freshly painted walls.

Answer 4

That's true... Sort of. A new house will settle for up to a year after it's been built. Settling cracks can form. Usually they start in the corners of windowsills or hallways. It's not a big deal. I wouldn't let that keep you from painting. Just make sure you have a small can of the same color stashed away so you can make touchups if/when the small cracks appear.

Answer 5

Ive heard of this for exterior walls made of brick i think salt comes out of the bricks for a while or something white & powdery

Answer 6

If the wall cracks under the paint, you have to fix it, if is bothers you.

Just paint it! Or you going to look an unfinished wall.

That's bothering me more.

Answer 7

Yes - make sure all the plaster is fully dried out or the paint will crack.

Answer 8

ask the local counsiler, cause sometimes it changes depending where you can live. it is also the most securest thing that you can do. and its free. :)

Answer 9

It certainly used to be suggested that you leave painting the walls until after 6 months.

I believe it was so that the plastering had the time to completely cure and dry out .

Answer 10

Isn't most houses painted after drywall is finished? I don't see any reason that you could not... Just doesn't make sense....

Answer 11

No, otherwise poeple who buy a new house would be moving in without painted walls.

Answer 12

In the days when walls were plastered with hardwall (undercoat plaster) and then skimmed off with finishing plaster, you were told not to decorate for 6 months.

Now-a-days, houses tend to be plaster board with a skim finish which you paint over in 2 or 3 days time, or when it's dried.

Answer 13

never heard that one before.

Answer 14

as long as u use a trade emulsion then it will be fine dont use anything containing latex or vinyl as these form a waterproof barrier that stops the plaster from drying out,,,, trade emulsion is entirely waterbased and dries to a powdery finsh allowing moisture thru

Answer 15

No its a load of c**p, of course you can paint a new build house. Do you think the developers of these houses have 6 months to wait before they get decorated and put on the market, i think not. Yes there is a drying time for new plaster but it wont be anywhere near 6 months more like a couple of weeks for the big developers.

Answer 16

not sure bout the 6 months but you have to be sure the walls have completely dried out or your paint will crack as well as mouldy.  if in doubt buy or rent a humidifier, works really fast and your mind at ease

Answer 17

well why wouldnt you? when you build a new house the guys who made  it always paint the walls so you have a nice house..... so it wont do any harm.

Answer 18

Yes, the walls take a while to dry out even though they look dry.

Answer 19

If it's a new house then it's a good idea to let the new plaster dry out before painting it.

Six months is the ideal time.

Answer 20

I have heard that but know show homes are painted so I wouldnt worry too much

Answer 21

ask a decorater

Answer 22

Nope, but some houses have to settle in case the concrete cracks. Most dont have to worry about it. Just paint and if you have a problem, you can always touch up paint.

Answer 23

i thought you could paint them but not wallpaper for two years

Answer 24

after we built our house we had to wait 1 year..so yes but longer than 6 months

Answer 25

Not at all, Most new builds give a 6-12 Months defective repair guarantee. You can paint newly plastered walls and ceilings as soon as dry but be prepared to make minor crack repairs and touch up paintwork at a later date, whilst shrinkage appears and settles.

Answer 26

no its not correct....built over 300 homes....always painted them and never had a call back on paint.....plus if u go thu a bank u can count on them telling u to get it painted before they will let u close and move in.....

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 27

No it's not correct. Give it a few days/week & paint the walls but do not wallpaper until a year or so,to let the building settle then any small cracks can be repaired  & you can wallpaper if you so wish!