Caution necessary when painting indoors

Few people might think of potential safety hazards when planning to paint the interiors of their homes. Though every home improvement project can lead to injury if safety measures are not taken seriously, painting is widely considered a project where do-it-yourselfers are at minimal risk of injury. But in addition to the injury risks associated with climbing up and down ladders to paint ceilings or out-of-reach corners, there are some health and safety concerns that painters must consider before beginning their projects.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the majority of paints contain chemicals that evaporate in the air, and these chemicals can adversely affect human health. Problems associated with chemicals found in some paints include eye and throat or lung irritation, headaches, dizziness, and vision trouble. Professional painters exposed to paint vapors over long periods of time can develop problems with their nervous systems, liver and kidneys, and some chemicals found in paint have been linked to elevated cancer risk.

Though painting is often an enjoyable home improvement project, painters still must take the following precautions to ensure their safety when painting the interior of their homes.

* Read product labels carefully. Paints vary considerably with regard to how hazardous they can potentially be, so it's best to read paint can labels thoroughly regardless of how experienced you are at painting. Labels provide safety instructions specific to that particular paint, including suggestions to reduce hazards and advice on what to do should users develop any adverse health effects.

It also helps to reread labels once the painting project has been completed. Labels often include instructions on how to clean or discard products and tools after use, as well as suggestions on where to store paints or other products used during the project that may be flammable.

* Paint during the right time of year. Exposure to chemicals found in paint can be reduced considerably if you paint during the right time of year. Spring and fall make ideal seasons to paint, as the weather outside during these seasons is typically pleasant, allowing painters to open all of the windows without making conditions inside the home unfavorable.

* Open all of the windows and doors. While it's especially important to open all of the windows and the door in the room where you will be painting, it's even better to open as many windows and doors throughout the home, making sure to push curtains and blinds back to let the fresh air pour in. Keeping all windows and doors (use screen doors if you are worried about animals or insects entering the home) open promotes ventilation throughout the home, allowing for constant airflow that will usher any potentially harmful chemicals out of your home. If necessary, place a box fan within a window frame to promote cross-ventilation. Never turn on the air conditioner as a substitute for fans and open windows, as that will not be pushing any air out of the home.

* Seal paint cans tightly once the project has been completed. At the end of the project, you may or may not have leftover paint. If you have a small amount of paint leftover that you do not intend to keep, contact your local government to determine the best way to dispose of the paint. You also can do this if you have empty paint cans but are uncertain if they can be discarded with normal household trash and recycling. If you have a substantial amount of paint left, be sure the lid is closed as tightly as possible, as vapors can leak through poorly sealed containers, putting the health of residents at risk. Once again, read the label to determine the best place to store leftover paint.

Painting is widely considered a fun home improvement project. But if certain safety measures are not taken when painting the interior of a home, these projects can put the health of residents at risk.

share on: facebook

Home improvement secrets from the garage

(NC)—Auto buffs have been keeping a secret from do–it–yourselfers for years: automotive body fillers, like 3M's Bondo, can do wonders on your home improvement projects. The secret is out.

Using body filler as a home improvement solution makes perfect sense. They have the ability to dry in only 20 minutes and are paintable in under an hour. Traditionally used in the automotive world as the solution for dents and deep scratches in the body of a vehicle, reach for body filler when you're faced with filling or repairing wood, metal and aluminum, repairing drywall, concrete, masonry and many fibreglass repairs.

Automotive body fillers have good weather resistance when used under an exterior–grade coating and compatible with all types of house paints and primers. They can be drilled, tapped, routed, and carved, and resist weakening or cracking where extreme temperature changes occur. More information is available at

www.bondo.ca.

www.newscanada.com

share on: facebook

Tips for a Pain-Free Paint Project

Tips for Pain-Free Paint Project

(MS) -- Few home improvement projects can be as fun, satisfying and inexpensive as painting. The excitement of choosing a new color scheme and then watching your home transform makes painting a project the whole family can enjoy.

By following a few simple tricks and tips you'll be painting like a professional before you know it. Bercom, the painting experts behind revolutionary paint products like Handy Paint Trays and Liners, offers an insider's perspective on how to make your next painting project as quick and pain-free as it is enjoyable.

* Plan ahead. Planning is the first step to a successful paint job. Before you start painting, stop by your local hardware or paint store, like Lowe's or anywhere paints are sold, and pick up all your supplies including paint, paintbrushes, rollers, trays, pails, tape and drop cloths. Look for new products on the market today that are long-overdue updates to traditional painting supplies. These next-generation supplies make painting a lot easier, and the time and materials they save you make them a worthwhile investment.

To save even more time, take measurements beforehand and determine exactly how much paint you need to get the job done. If you do this, you will not run out of supplies and end up having to make a trip back to the paint store in the middle of your project.

* Use the magic formula. The condition of the wall will play a role in how much paint is required to complete your paint job. Smooth, even surfaces generally require less paint than rougher surfaces. Make note of the wall surfaces when taking measurements. An easy formula for determining how much paint you need to purchase is:

(wall height X wall width) number of walls 300 = gallons of paint

One gallon of paint covers about 350 square feet, so dividing by 300 will leave you the perfect amount of paint for touch-ups.

* Let the paint do the work for you. For the best results, do not skimp on the paint. Applying a thicker coat versus one that is stretched thin will save time and help you achieve professional-looking results on the first try. The Handy Paint Tray is convenient because it holds up to a gallon of paint, more than any paint tray on the market, so that you can keep working without having to frequently stop and re-fill the tray.

* Prevent a mess by expecting one. Painting might be a fun home improvement job, but even the veteran painter expects a little bit of a mess. Painters can reduce the stress of a mess by protecting floors with old bed sheets or canvas, and covering woodwork, glass and metal surfaces with painter's tape.

Oftentimes, inexpensive, plastic drop cloths seem like an effective way to protect your floor and furniture because you can simply throw them away when you are finished. However, cloth drop cloths tend to be easier to work with because they are more durable than plastic, are rip and puncture resistant, lay flat as you walk across them, and you can easily fold cloth around wall angles and doors without having to tape them to the ground.

* Paint in the right order. Painting your room from top to bottom will help prevent annoying drips and splatters. For the best results, start by painting your ceilings, then move on to walls. After your walls, paint the woodwork. Save the floor for the very last.

* Keep rolling along. Always begin painting an interior surface by "cutting in" -- paint a two-inch wide strip along the edges with a paintbrush. When using a paintbrush, new-age paint containers, like the Handy Paint Pail, are ideal tools. Look for containers that have magnetic brush holders and adjustable straps that prevent fatigue in your hand or can be strapped to your belt.

After you have cut-in, use a roller to fill in your brushed-on outline. While using a roller might seem simple, a few tricks can make it even easier and less messy. Slowly dip the roller into your paint tray, and then roll it back and forth until it is completely and evenly coated with paint. Then, run your roller across a washboard to remove excess paint. Painters love the Handy Paint Tray's built-in, sturdy washboard because it has deep ridges that remove excess and evenly distribute paint to rollers, preventing drips and splatters as a result. And, the next-generation trays come equipped with a magnetic brush holder that prevents paintbrushes from falling into the tray, which allows you to keep a brush and roller nearby at all times.

* Make clean up quick and easy. Like most projects, clean up is often the worst part of painting. Choose a paint tray with disposable liners, so when you are finished painting, clean up is as easy as throwing away the liner -- then you are instantly ready for your next paint project! Handy Paint Liners are made of recycled plastic that is thick and durable, and can be used will all paints and stains. Plus, they snap into place so you don't have to worry about them shifting around and causing a spill.

For additional painting tips and ideas, visit www.handypaintpail.com.

share on: facebook