Interior and Exterior Painting Inspection

In accordance with EN 13300 (interior paints classification), EN 1062 (exterior coatings) and UNI 11493. The substrate must be dry, clean, free of dust, grease, efflorescence and loose material before painting. Maximum moisture content for cementitious substrates: 6% by mass. For plasterboard, the surface must achieve the required Q-level finish (UNI 11493) before painting commences. EN ISO 12944-4 governs surface preparation for steelwork.

1. Test substrate moisture content with a moisture meter — maximum 6% for cement render, 4% for plaster, and the board manufacturer's limit for plasterboard

2. Inspect the surface under raking light for defects: cracks, holes, nibs, trowel marks and dust — all must be repaired and sanded before priming

3. Verify that any mould, algae or efflorescence has been treated with an appropriate biocide or acid wash and the surface rinsed and dried before painting

4. Check that previously painted surfaces are sound — perform a cross-hatch adhesion test (EN ISO 2409) if there is doubt about the existing coating adhesion

5. Confirm that the surface finish level matches the paint specification — Q3 minimum for matt emulsion, Q4 for silk/gloss finishes per UNI 11493

- Painting over a damp substrate, causing blistering, peeling and poor adhesion within weeks

- Dust and debris not removed from plasterboard joints before painting, leaving visible nibs under the paint film

- Mould painted over without treatment, leading to rapid mould regrowth through the paint film

- Surface finish level inadequate for the paint sheen — imperfections visible under silk and gloss paints

In accordance with EN 13300, EN 1062, D.Lgs. 161/2006 (VOC limits for decorative paints implementing EU Directive 2004/42/CE) and Italian CAM — D.M. 11/10/2017 (Minimum Environmental Criteria for public works). Paints for public buildings must comply with CAM requirements for VOC content. All paint products must carry CE marking where applicable and be accompanied by technical data sheets (TDS) and safety data sheets (SDS).

1. Verify that the paint product, colour and finish match the designer's specification — check product name, code and batch number on each container

2. Review the TDS for VOC content and verify compliance with D.Lgs. 161/2006 limits (e.g., maximum 30 g/l for matt interior wall paints, Category A/a)

3. For public works, confirm CAM compliance — the paint must hold appropriate environmental certifications (e.g., GreenGuard, EU Ecolabel or equivalent) as required by D.M. 11/10/2017

4. Check paint storage and shelf life — containers must be sealed, stored in a frost-free environment, and used within the manufacturer's stated shelf life

5. Verify that the primer/undercoat is compatible with both the substrate and the topcoat, and is from the same manufacturer's system unless otherwise approved

- Paint product substituted on site without designer approval, resulting in different colour, sheen or performance

- VOC limits exceeded — non-compliant solvent-based products used where water-based is specified

- CAM certification missing for public works contracts, risking contract non-compliance

- Expired paint used on site, resulting in poor film formation and reduced durability

In accordance with EN 13300, EN 1062 and the paint manufacturer's TDS. A primer coat is mandatory on all new substrates (plaster, plasterboard, cement render, timber, metal) to ensure adhesion, uniform absorption and correct topcoat appearance. The primer type must be compatible with both the substrate and the specified topcoat system. For exterior masonry, EN 1062-1 specifies the water vapour permeability class of the coating system.

1. Verify that the correct primer type is being used for the substrate — acrylic primer for plaster/plasterboard, alkali-resistant primer for new cement render, rust-inhibiting primer for ferrous metals

2. Check that the primer has been applied at the coverage rate specified in the TDS — typically 8–12 m²/l depending on substrate porosity

3. Inspect the primed surface for uniform coverage — there should be no bare patches, runs or excessive build-up

4. Verify that the primer has dried for the minimum overcoating time stated in the TDS before the first topcoat is applied (typically 4–6 hours for water-based primers)

5. For exterior cement render less than 4 weeks old, confirm that an alkali-resistant primer has been used to prevent saponification of the topcoat

- Primer omitted entirely, leading to uneven absorption (flashing) and poor topcoat adhesion

- Wrong primer type for the substrate — e.g., standard primer on new cement render leading to alkali attack and peeling

- Primer not allowed to dry before topcoat application, trapping moisture and causing blistering

- Excessive primer dilution reducing its sealing and adhesion-promoting properties

In accordance with EN 13300 (classification by wet scrub resistance, hiding power and gloss level) and EN 1062 (exterior coatings). The specified number of coats (typically two topcoats) must be applied at the coverage rate stated in the TDS to achieve the required dry film thickness (DFT). EN 13300 classifies interior paints by wet scrub resistance from Class 1 (highest) to Class 5. Exterior coatings must achieve the DFT and water vapour transmission class per EN 1062-1.

1. Verify that the specified number of topcoats is applied — typically two coats for full opacity; check wet film thickness with a comb gauge during application

2. Measure dry film thickness with a magnetic gauge on non-absorbent substrates or verify by coverage rate calculation (litres used / area covered vs. TDS specification)

3. Inspect the finished surface for defects: runs, sags, curtains, orange peel, brush marks, roller stipple, misses and colour variation — assessment under both natural and artificial light

4. Check colour consistency across the installation — all paint must be from the same batch or inter-mixed (boxed) before application

5. Verify that each coat was allowed to dry for the minimum recoat time stated in the TDS before the next coat was applied

- Only one topcoat applied instead of two, resulting in insufficient hiding power and reduced durability

- Excessive film thickness from over-application, causing runs, slow drying and cracking

- Colour variation between areas due to different paint batches not being inter-mixed

- Painting in extreme conditions (below 5 °C or above 30 °C, or humidity above 80%), causing poor film formation

- Recoat time not observed, leading to intercoat adhesion failure

In accordance with UNI 11493 and general good practice for finishing works. All surfaces not to be painted must be protected with masking tape, sheeting or drop cloths. Cut-in lines at junctions between different colours, between walls and ceilings, and at frames must be clean and straight. The finished paintwork must be free of overspray and paint splashes on adjacent surfaces.

1. Inspect cut-in lines at wall/ceiling junctions, colour changes, and around door/window frames — lines must be straight and crisp with no bleeding or wavering

2. Check floors, windows, door hardware, electrical plates and sanitaryware for paint splashes, drips or overspray — all must be clean

3. Verify that masking tape was removed before the paint fully cured to prevent film tearing — tape residue must be cleaned off

4. Inspect external paintwork for straight lines at material changes (e.g., render to stone) and at colour band boundaries

5. Check that all fixtures removed for painting (switch plates, socket covers, door handles) have been refitted correctly after painting is complete

- Paint splashes on floors, windows and fixtures not cleaned, requiring costly remedial work

- Masking tape left too long, bonding to the surface and tearing the paint film on removal

- Uneven cut-in lines at ceiling junctions visible from normal viewing positions

- Fixtures not refitted after painting, leaving the work incomplete

In accordance with EN 1062-1 (classification of exterior coatings by film thickness, water permeability, water vapour transmission and crack-bridging ability) and EN ISO 12944 (corrosion protection of steel structures). Exterior wall coatings must be classified per EN 1062-1 and selected for the exposure conditions. NTC 2018 and UNI 11018 apply to ventilated facade coatings. For buildings in historic centres, Soprintendenza approval may be required for colour and material selection.

1. Verify the exterior coating system (primer + intermediate + topcoat) matches the specification and is appropriate for the exposure class — verify EN 1062-1 classification for water permeability (W class) and vapour transmission (V class)

2. Check that the coating system allows adequate water vapour transmission (breathability) to prevent interstitial condensation — Class V1 or V2 typically required for masonry per EN 1062-1

3. For steel elements, verify the corrosion protection system matches EN ISO 12944 requirements for the corrosivity category (C1–C5, CX)

4. Inspect for defects specific to exterior coatings: chalking, flaking, crazing, biological growth and colour fading — these indicate system failure or end of service life

5. Verify that painting was not carried out in rain, direct sun, wind or temperatures below 5 °C or above 35 °C, and that each coat had adequate drying time considering ambient conditions

- Impermeable (non-breathable) coating applied to masonry, trapping moisture and causing blistering and substrate damage

- Exterior painting carried out in adverse weather conditions, causing poor adhesion and premature failure

- Corrosion protection system for steelwork inadequate for the environment — e.g., C3 system used in a coastal (C5) environment

- Colour or material not approved by Soprintendenza for buildings in protected historic zones

- UV-unstable pigments used on south-facing facades, causing rapid colour fading