Safety Tips for Painting Projects

Before any painting project, it is important to stay safe. Here at CertaPro Painters® of Orange County, CA – jobsite safety is our highest priority. If you have safety concerns about your painting project, its often best to hire a professional crew to avoid any potential risks. If you do decide to proceed with your project yourself, there are a few considerations you should be mindful of to protect yourself, family, and pets. Here we will cover a few things you will want to remember before setting out to paint.

Fumes

Number one is to make sure your room is well ventilated, and the windows are open. Paints, stains, and strippers can be dangerous to inhale and can also be highly flammable. Inhalation of paint fumes can cause dizziness, light headedness, headaches, and nausea, however, keeping your room ventilated with fans and a respirator will ensure that you are safe from the dangers of inhaling harmful toxins. You can be aware of specific precautions by reading the labels of whatever materials you are using. If you are sanding or stripping, take note of whether the paint is lead-based. You can buy lead testing kits and hire a professional to avoid the dangers of lead poisoning that can occur when sanding or stripping lead-based paint. If you do have lead paint in the home, make sure any crew you hire is lead certified.

PPE

As a continuation of being mindful of the hazardous materials you could be working with, an added layer of protection is always wise. A respirator, goggles, and gloves will make a huge difference in protecting yourself from inhaling dangerous fumes. Wearing an apron, some old clothes, and a hat are important considerations to protect from irritation and splashing.

Ladder Safety

Don’t underestimate precautions when using a ladder. Make sure that your ladder is on a flat, even surface and does not wobble. If you feel you still can’t reach an area, find a different position rather than overreaching. It is important to make sure you have a spotter when painting at high heights. Make sure your ladders rungs are fully intact and firm. It is also important to make sure both rails of the ladder make contact with the walls and the legs are firmly on the ground. If your home has high exterior surfaces, and you are not experienced with working on a ladder we strongly recommend you hire a professional for the project. 

Safe Storage and Clean up

When you are done for the day, be sure to store your materials in a safe, secure, and cool place. Be mindful of heat sources as paint materials are often highly flammable. Rags with paint thinner can potentially ignite and start a fire. It is recommended to store them outside and to not reuse them. Latex paint should be completely dry before discarding it. If you still have some left, leave it out to dry first before disposing of it. If you have young children, be sure to store your materials in an area out of reach.

Drying

Make sure that you allow an adequate amount of time for the room to dry before occupying it again. Paint can take up to two weeks to dry, so make sure that your room is well ventilated and unoccupied. This will help avoid adverse effects from inhaling potentially hazardous toxins. Oil-based paints take longer to dry than water-based ones. Fans and open windows will expedite the process as well.

Need help with a painting project?

CertaPro Painters® of Orange County, CA offers professional painting services to the greater Anaheim & Orange County areas of Los Angeles. We offer a professional process that gives you peace of mind that your job will get done properly, on time, and with great attention to workplace safety.

Get started by setting up a free estimate appointment with our team.