DAE see people skip the primer step on fresh drywall?

I was helping my buddy finish his basement in Denver last month, and he went straight to painting over the new drywall with two coats of flat white. A week later, the paint started peeling near the ceiling where it gets a bit damp. I told him he needed a proper primer first, but he said it was just extra work and cost. The thing is, primer seals the drywall paper and gives the paint something to stick to. Without it, moisture can get behind the paint layer, especially in a basement. I had the same issue in my own house about two years back and had to redo a whole wall. Has anyone found a good, affordable primer that really locks down that drywall surface?

2 comments

2 Comments

black.wesley1mo ago

Honestly, people forget primer is a moisture barrier first. That dampness wicks right through flat paint and loosens it from the paper. A cheap PVA primer is basically waterproof glue for your wall.

dakotab131mo agoMost Upvoted

PVA can trap moisture inside the wall though, leading to mold issues down the line.