Although painting does not seem entirely dangerous, especially if you are painting a single room with a roller, there are some things you need to consider before you begin painting. Paint is a highly toxic liquid that can cause harm to eyes and skin and its fumes can cause harm as well. By using appropriate ladders, respirators, safety glasses and masks painting becomes much less dangerous.
Using the Right Ladder: If you are painting an area that you need to use a ladder, it is important to not only select the right ladder for the job but setting it up as well is crucial to having no injuries.
When you are setting up your ladder, you want to make sure you are on a level hard surface. If you are setting up outside on dirty or soft grass, get a sheet of plywood to put under the legs of your ladder. You also want to make sure that you do not stand it up too close to the wall. A good rule to follow is placing the base of your ladder out 1 foot for every 4 feet of the height you are working with. If you have your ladder placed 16 feet in the air, your base should be 4 feet out from the wall.
Choosing the right ladder is critical as well. If you are just painting an interior and you are only 10 feet up, use a step stool instead of a ladder. If you are working with a tall ladder, make sure the upper and lower section overlap a good amount to provide a sturdy structure. You want to make sure you have a long enough ladder as well if leaning up against something. You will want to have 3 feet sticking above the space it is leaning on.
Wear Goggles: I know you might feel stupid wearing goggles but you would feel even worse if you got paint in your eye and had to get it flushed at the hospital. Im not talking a big old pair of goggles, clear eye glasses will work too!
Look Cool in A Disposable Mask: If you are working on a big painting project, especially indoors, you will want to get disposable masks for whoever is working around the paint. These will help you from breathing in dust, paint fumes and other odors.
Don't take a residential painting job lightly. Following these tips will help keep you and other painters from becoming injured on the job.
Using the Right Ladder: If you are painting an area that you need to use a ladder, it is important to not only select the right ladder for the job but setting it up as well is crucial to having no injuries.
When you are setting up your ladder, you want to make sure you are on a level hard surface. If you are setting up outside on dirty or soft grass, get a sheet of plywood to put under the legs of your ladder. You also want to make sure that you do not stand it up too close to the wall. A good rule to follow is placing the base of your ladder out 1 foot for every 4 feet of the height you are working with. If you have your ladder placed 16 feet in the air, your base should be 4 feet out from the wall.
Choosing the right ladder is critical as well. If you are just painting an interior and you are only 10 feet up, use a step stool instead of a ladder. If you are working with a tall ladder, make sure the upper and lower section overlap a good amount to provide a sturdy structure. You want to make sure you have a long enough ladder as well if leaning up against something. You will want to have 3 feet sticking above the space it is leaning on.
Wear Goggles: I know you might feel stupid wearing goggles but you would feel even worse if you got paint in your eye and had to get it flushed at the hospital. Im not talking a big old pair of goggles, clear eye glasses will work too!
Look Cool in A Disposable Mask: If you are working on a big painting project, especially indoors, you will want to get disposable masks for whoever is working around the paint. These will help you from breathing in dust, paint fumes and other odors.
Don't take a residential painting job lightly. Following these tips will help keep you and other painters from becoming injured on the job.
If you do not feel like doing your own painting project and need help from Denver residential painters, check out Calco Painters. They have been painting residential painting projects in Denver for over 20 years.
If you would like more painting tips like this, check out my blog: Helpful Painting Blog.
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BT Martin Contractors specializes in exterior and interior painting all over Montgomery County Maryland as well as custom renovations for both residential and commercial projects. Whatever the project you have in mind, a home addition, new kitchen, new bathroom, fresh paint, basement finishing/renovation, or new deck, you can count on BT Martin Contractors
