Can I Paint Over Cigarette Damage?
Cigarette damage (also known as nicotine staining) in a property is a large concern for homeowners and renters alike.
The smell of cigarette smoke and nicotine stains left behind after years of smoking can be a real headache.
Many people wonder if they can paint over cigarette damage to end the problem.
This query we will answer in this article as we explore the feasibility of this approach, discuss the challenges of dealing with cigarette damage and provide tips on cigarette odour removal and cleaning.
What Is Cigarette Damage?
Cigarette damage in a property covers both visible and invisible issues. The visible damage looks like yellow or brown staining on walls, ceilings and furniture. These stains are caused by the tar and nicotine in the smoke itself. The longer smoking has occured in a property, the more visible these stains tend to be.
Along with visible staining, cigarette smoke also leaves behind an odour which will permeate in every corner of your property.
This odour can be very stubborn and persistent, which makes it challenging to get rid of completely.
Can You Paint Over Cigarette Damage?
Painting over cigarette damage may seem like a quick solution, but sadly it isn't that easy.
Here are some considerations before you decide to paint:
1. Stains May Bleed Through:
Nicotine and tar stains have a tendency to bleed through paint. Especially if they are severe.
This means that even after painting, the stains may reappear over time. Which isn't ideal after putting lovely new paint on the walls.
2. Odour May Persist:
Painting alone will not remove cigarette odours. The smell can linger inside the wall cavities, ceiling voids and even the HVAC system in your property.
Adding new paint on top will never fix this issue.
3. Preparation Is Key:
If you want to paint over the damage, the only way to do this is by thoroughly cleaning the area that has been affected by nicotine staining.
Here at Emergency Clean UK we offer this service, click the link here to find out more.
Once the cleaning has been conducted, you will need a high-quality primer that is designed to seal in stains.
Cigarette Odour Removal
Addressing the odour is part of the service we offer at Emergency Clean UK. It is very challenging to tackle cigarette odours as they permeate through walls into the voids of your property, even into the very joists inside walls and floors.
Our service comprises of chemically washing the walls with chemicals that are designed to lift nicotine off of surfaces.
This may not fully remove the staining on the walls but it will help odour, and as said above, a decent primer will get rid of those unsightly stains.
The next part of the process is tackling the odour itself, where we use industry standard techniques and equipment which will remove the odour from the air and even tackle those hard to reach areas.
We always recommend that any carpets or upholstery items you have in the property are properly cleaned as well.
Fabric holds odours very well, and it can be very stubborn to get rid of. It's imperative that you use a professional service to clean these areas and items, otherwise even after a treatment, you may still have odours lingering in the property.
Preventing Cigarette Damage
Prevention is the best approach. If you own a home or are a landlord, always implement a no-smoking policy inside the property. For renters, it's essential you follow these rules, because if you are found at fault for cigarette damage, you are liable to pay the bill of the cleaning.
If you are a smoker yourself, we recommend always smoking outside the property, as the habit of smoking indoors increases the damage with each cigarette smoked.
In conclusion, while painting over cigarette damage can be a part of the solution, it's not a comprehensive fix. Cigarette damage encompasses both visible stains and persistent odours, and addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach. Thorough cleaning, proper preparation, and the use of stain-blocking primers and specialized paints are essential steps. Additionally, for cigarette odour removal, ventilation, air purifiers, and professional services may be necessary. Ultimately, prevention is the best approach to avoid cigarette damage in the first place, either through no-smoking policies or responsible smoking practices
If you wish to book a cigarette damage cleaning service, or are curious about the service we provide, please click the button below to view our service.