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House Painting Pleasant Hill: Safety Tips While Painting


House Painting Pleasant Hill: Safety Tips While Painting

Safety should not be ignored especially when doing a labor-intensive job such as house painting in Pleasant Hill. Here are some tips to ensure a safe and smooth house painting job:

1. Wear safety gear. You need to protect your eyes, lungs, and skin from the irritating effects of paint. Wear gloves, goggles, face mask, or an anti-dusk mask.

2. Make sure the space you’re about to paint has sufficient ventilation, It is also important to stay away from and/or remove flammable/inflammable items.

3. Handling oil-based/solvent-based paints, primers, thinners, and other related products pose more health risks compared to water-based paints. This particular precaution must be heeded when using such products.

  • Since solvents are highly flammable, it’s best to keep them away from open flame, direct heat, or other sources that may cause them to spontaneously ignite.
  • Carefully read the can label to know about the information of the product, especially information that is related to health and safety.
  • Wear protective gear when painting.
  • Store leftover products in cool, dry, and well-ventilated spaces. Keep them out of reach of children and pets.
  • Dispose of empty paint cans as hazardous wastes. The best option to discard them is to bring them to your local Household Hazardous Wastes facility.
  • Water and soap won’t work when cleaning paint brushes, rollers, and rags used with solvent-based paints. Use thinners and turpentine to get rid of the paint. Be sure to clean them in a well-ventilated environment or outdoors, and don’t forget to wear masks and gloves.

4. Compared to using solvent-based paints, latex (water-based) paints pose fewer potential health risks. They are generally low in odor and dry quickly. Disposal of cans containing latex paints are also less complicated and less hazardous. Cleaning paintbrushes and rollers with latex based paints is also easier and safer. Wash them with warm, soapy water and rinse them with plain water thoroughly. Cleaning your painting materials will ensure a longer useful life. Store leftover paints in a place away from children’s and pets’ reach.

5. If you’re going to use a step ladder, carefully inspect it. Is it durable enough to support your weight? Is it free from any slippery substance like water, oil, wet paint, etc.? Are the parts well-made and of good quality? Is the place you’re going to set it up level and solid?

6. When using the ladder, make sure the floor is not slippery. Wear shoes suitable for stepping up the ladder.

7. Cover all exposed electrical outlets with painter’s tape and/or switch covers.

8. If you want a really safe painting job, choose paints that have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) or no VOC’s at all. Unlike traditional paints, these products emit fewer or no noxious fumes.

Ensure your paint does not contain lead. Exposure to lead-based paints causes lead poisoning, which gives rise to several illnesses such as headache, abdominal pains, high blood pressure, and impaired mental health. Lead is especially hazardous for young children and the elderly.

“Go green” by buying environmentally-friendly paints, stains, primers, thinners and other related products. These organic-based products contain no harmful VOC’s and lead, as well as do not emit toxic fumes. They are made with natural ingredients such as milk, collagen, types of minerals, plant resins, and citrus fruits. They are reputed to be safe to use even around pets and children, but remember that not all organic-based products are created equal. Paints should have less than 250 grams per liter to be labeled as “low VOC,” while “no VOC” paints should have less than five grams per liter.

9. Was your home built before 1978? If it was, have the surfaces tested for lead paint. If the results are positive, do not attempt to scrape away lead-based paint on your own as it can be hazardous and require special materials and safety gear. The best way to do it is to hire a professional to complete the job.

10. If you have a pregnant member of the family, or infants, children or pets, keep them away from the painting job as much as possible, even if you’re using low VOC/no VOC/eco-friendly paints. Certain people may be sensitive to odors or may be allergic to them.

11. Use only canvas drop cloths, not paper or plastic. Using plastic as drop cloths may lead to accidents, especially if paint spills onto the plastic which could lead to falls.

Following these safety tips will have a positive impact on your house painting in Pleasant Hill. Taking these safety precautions will protect not only you as a DIY house painter but also your family and even the environment.

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