Powdery Residue May Have Caused the Paint to Peel

QUESTION: We used trisodium phosphate to wash walls that were previously painted with an oil-based enamel. Then we applied two coats of latex paint. Now the paint is peeling and flaking off. What did we do wrong, and how can we fix it?

Tom Philbin, a former painting contractor in Centerport, N.Y., and author of three books on painting, says:

ANSWER: It sounds like you didn’t thoroughly rinse the walls after washing with the trisodium phosphate, leaving a powdery residue. Paint will not stick to powder. Trisodium phosphate can also create an alkaline situation that retards adhesion. In addition, any latex topcoat will peel if the oil-based paint beneath is glossy and you don’t scuff-sand it to provide “teeth” to hold the new finish.

Start by scraping off all the peeling paint, then sand what’s left to eliminate rough edges. Next, wipe off all the dust with a damp rag and apply an acrylic latex primer followed by a latex finish coat.

For an even smoother surface, apply a thin skim coat of drywall compound to the raw edges of the peeled areas, feathering it to blend in with the wall.

Insulating Attic Is One Way to Save Energy

Q: I have an older home. Unfortunately there are lots of drafts, which result in high energy bills. What are the best, fastest-payback ways to make my home more energy-efficient?

Michael Lamb, an energy consultant with the U.S. Department of Energy, responds:

A: Here are the energy-saving improvements that will pay back the quickest, in order from most to least effective.

* Seal up all heat-leaking holes and cracks in the attic floor with foam caulk.

* Insulate the attic floor.

* Repair the weatherstripping around all windows and doors.

* Install a setback thermostat that’s programmable.

* Replace single-pane windows with either low-e glazing or argon gas-filled windows.

* Install foam-core insulated entry doors.

* Replace the furnace or heat pump if it’s more than 10 years old.

* Replace an old, inefficient refrigerator or freezer.

Depending on the severity of the climate and how poorly insulated the house is, it will take three to 15 years for you to get a return on most of these improvements.

However, remember that buttoning up a house too tight can be dangerous. If gas furnaces, ranges and other combustion appliances don’t draft properly, toxic fumes can be drawn back into the house by an exhaust fan or even a change in wind direction.

For more information, call the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse at (800) 363-3732.