Getting bored of your old house? Don’t think about leaving yet. Perhaps, a little change of color is the only thing you need. Yup, that’s right. Painting your house with a different color is the easiest way to bring that good feeling back. However, please always be careful when painting. Painting is not just about changing colors. It is also about dealing with chemicals as well as other dangerous stuff. Therefore, please follow these safety precautions carefully. You surely don’t want to harm anyone during the process. Let’s bring the new color and keep everyone safe, right?

Preparation

Many paints are harmful and flammable. Before painting, especially indoor, make sure your working area is well ventilated. Even if you use painting contractors, make sure they apply this. Open all windows and doors or use an exhaust fan to let the air moves freely. With this, you can disperse any harmful and flammable gas right away.

Since most paints are also flammable, stay away from the open flame while working, including your cigarette. NEVER smoke while painting.

We always recommend using a respirator while painting. This will prevent you from inhaling harmful fumes. Once you are done painting, leave the paint at least for a couple hours. Some people even suggest staying out of the room for at least two days. You certainly don’t want to be nearby while the wet paint still releases the harmful fumes.

If possible, cover your floor using canvas drop cloths. Plastic is not a good option because it is slippery. We don’t want you to fall especially when painting higher spots.

Painting near electrical outlets

Please be careful while painting near electrical outlets. If possible, switch off the electricity in your working area until the paint dries. Use painter’s tape to cover the surrounding areas so the paint won’t go inside.

Use only safe paint

With environmental issue on the rise, many paints today are available with low VOC content. That means less dangerous fumes for you and your family. That’s great, right? Here is one more. You can get these paints are relatively the same price as conventional paints. Nothing changes with how you should apply it. There’s almost nothing different between them, except the fewer fumes, which is good.

The dangerous lead

Until we know it in recent years, lead-based paint has caused severe lead poisoning in children. Many children who live in houses built before 1978 are diagnosed with this poisoning. If your house is one of them and there is a child living among you, you need to address this issue seriously.

First, you need to check your house for any lead. You can use a lead-checking kit for this. If you found any evidence of lead, mark the spots first. Now, remember, NEVER attempt to strip it by using heat or any tool. Water is your only option. Spray the surface carefully to strip the lead-based paint. Then, gently and carefully scrape off the loose paint. Please always use protective gloves, clothes, and respirator while stripping the paint. Next, take the paint chips immediately. You need to dispose them properly before cleaning the area. The last step is cleaning the area. To do this, you may need a cleaning service. Using a special vacuum cleaner, they will clean all the (dangerous lead) area from the lead. If you need any replacement parts for your vacuum cleaner, check out PMJ International.

Clean up and dispose of properly

There is a secret that only a few people know. Our friend from Inti painting told us this secret. Before you can dispose of a latex paint, you need to wait until it completely dries. Even if you have emptied the can, it still has some excess paint in it. Wait until the paint dries before discarding it. While doing this, please make sure you keep the empty can far away from open flames, pets, and especially children. You can expect what would happen with that much curiosity at their age. So, better be safe and keep them away.

After painting, your rollers and brushes should have some paints left on it. Use turpentine or citrus-based cleaners to clean them. Store them properly after that.

Painting tips

Do not waste your money and risk your health. Before purchasing paints, make sure you only purchase enough paints for your job. This applies to any kind of paint, including the low-VOC paints. You can get this number by measuring the total sq. ft. of your working area. One gallon of paint is enough to cover around 350 sq. ft. Based on this, you should be able to get the ideal amount of paints you need. You can also use a paint calculator tool. This feature is broadly available today on paint manufacturer’s website.

What if you accidentally purchased too many? Well, always remember not to waste any of them. Try looking for an area that might need a color change. You can use the excess paint on that area. Even if you can’t find that, you can still donate the excess paint to someone in need. Perhaps, you know someone who loves playing with color. Such artists will never deny excess paint.

Dealing with excess paint

Never put your excess paint in a humid location. Better keep it in a dry place, with low temperature.

Great! Now, you’ve known the secret to safe home painting tips. Make sure you follow each of them and you can complete your project safely.

Safe Home Painting Tips