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In mid-September 2026 I was asked by a landlord to deal with peeling paint in a rental flat in Norbury SW16. The flat was vacant, but new tenants were moving in within a few days. Over two long day visits I found and fixed the leak behind the damp walls, dried the affected areas, and properly prepared and redecorated the bathroom, toilet and corridor. Everything was finished just before the tenants moved in.
Project Overview
Project Overview
Location: Norbury SW16, London
Property: Rental flat (vacant between tenants)
Client: Landlord
Project: Leak repair, damp drying, preparation and redecoration
Duration: Two long day visits
Completed: September 2026
Materials: Zinsser GARDZ, Zinsser B-I-N, Zinsser Perma-White anti-mould paint
The Landlord's Challenge
The Landlord's Challenge
The landlord reported peeling paint in the bathroom, on a corridor wall and ceiling, and in the toilet. The flat was empty, but the new tenants were due in only a few days, so I adjusted my schedule to suit the landlord and get the work done in time.
What I Found
What I Found
When I inspected the flat, the problems had different causes:
Bathroom walls and ceiling: the previous preparation and decoration had been done poorly, and the paint used wasn't suitable for a bathroom, so it was peeling.
Corridor ceiling by the back door: poor preparation, and the paint had failed.
Corridor wall: the plaster was showing signs of damp. I traced this to a leaking flexible supply pipe to the toilet in the toilet room.
Toilet room: the ceiling was peeling because of poor previous preparation, and the walls were damp from the same leaking pipe.
Visit 1: Leak Repair, Drying and Preparation
Visit 1: Leak Repair, Drying and Preparation
Before any decorating, I fixed the leaking pipe so the damp wouldn't come back. I then dried the affected walls using a dehumidifier and a heater, and started preparing all the surfaces.
Visit 2: Decoration
Visit 2: Decoration
With the walls dry and prepared, I decorated the bathroom, toilet room and corridor using materials suited to each area (listed below).
How I Prepared and Painted
How I Prepared and Painted
Scraped off all loose and flaking paint
Sanded down all surfaces
Filled where needed, then sanded again
Applied Zinsser GARDZ where needed
Applied Zinsser B-I-N where needed
Finished with two top coats of Zinsser Perma-White anti-mould paint
The bathroom and toilet have no extractor fan, only a window, so I chose Zinsser Perma-White anti-mould paint to help prevent mould growth in the future.
Results
Results
Leaking pipe fixed
Damp walls dried before decorating
Bathroom walls and ceiling redecorated
Corridor wall and ceiling by the back door redecorated
Toilet room walls and ceiling redecorated
Anti-mould finish in the bathroom and toilet
Completed in two long day visits
Finished just before the new tenants moved in
Landlord left a 5-star Google review
Hannah's Review
Hannah's Review
"Extremely helpful, professional and efficient. The jobs were quoted promptly, carried out within a short time frame and were done well. I would definitely recommend Justas. His service was exemplary. I was so impressed with his communication and genuine helpfulness in this situation. Thank you!"
Hannah K.
Landlord
5-star Google review
Peeling Paint or Damp Walls in Your Rental Property?
Peeling Paint or Damp Walls in Your Rental Property?
I provide painting and decorating, mould treatment, landlord property maintenance and handyman repairs across Streatham SW16, Norbury and surrounding South London areas. If paint keeps peeling, I'll find the cause first, so the new finish lasts.
Explore Landlord Maintenance, Mould Treatment, Painting & Decorating and Handyman Streatham services. See more landlord projects: my Streatham SW16 between-tenancy and Croydon CR0 mould treatment case studies.
Toilet room — before & after
Toilet room — before & after
Leak fixed, walls dried, then prepared and finished in Zinsser Perma-White anti-mould paint.
Corridor wall — before, during & after
Corridor wall — before, during & after
Damp plaster from the leaking toilet pipe dried, repaired and redecorated.
Corridor ceiling by the back door — before & after
Corridor ceiling by the back door — before & after
Failed paint scraped back, primed and repainted.
Bathroom ceiling — before & after
Bathroom ceiling — before & after
Peeling paint removed, surfaces prepared and finished in anti-mould paint.
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