House painting may involve some serious risks to your safety and health. Don’t start painting before reading these tips
Painting and the Dallas, TX, climate don’t really go hand-in-hand. It’s mostly hot, humid, and it can storm at a moment’s notice.
If you’re thinking about starting your painting project, wait until you’ve read the following 5 painting safety tips.
1. Fresh Air is Key
Nowadays, you can buy low or no VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paint. However, this doesn’t mean you can paint indoors safely without ventilation.
No or low VOC still has some level of VOC (along with other chemicals). No VOC usually has 5g a liter or less, and low VOC has 50g or less.
According to the EPA, this concentration is then ten times higher in enclosed spaces.
For this reason, you want to ensure property ventilation. If not, it could result in headaches, dizziness, nausea, and respiratory issues.
2. Gear Up for Safety
Another painting tip is to ALWAYS wear the appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). This includes:
- Respirator Mask: Especially for indoor painting with oil-based paints and outdoor painting on a hot, windless day.
- Eye Protection: This is not really for standard brush painting, but if you’re using sprayers or a roller for a ceiling.
- Clothing: Try to cover up the best you can (a paint suit is ideal), especially if using solvent or oil-based paints, as this can irritate the skin and eyes.
As a homeowner, you don’t really need steel toe cap boots to paint. Just put on an old pair of trainers.
3. Climb with Caution
Across the entire US, there are over 500,000 ladder injuries a year. If you’re going to use a ladder, be careful.
You can do this by using the LADDER safety checklist:
Check | Description | Pass/Fail | Notes |
L – Looks | Inspect for cracks, bends, dents, or damage to rungs, rails, steps, and feet. Check for loose or missing screws, bolts, or fasteners. | ||
A – All Parts | Ensure all moving parts like hinges, locks, and pulleys function smoothly and are secure. | ||
D – Double-Check | Confirm that all rungs and steps are secure, evenly spaced, and free of damage. | ||
D – Don’t Skip the Feet | Inspect ladder feet for wear and tear. Replace any missing or worn anti-slip pads. | ||
E – Examine Labels | Check the ladder’s duty rating (maximum weight) and any manufacturer warning labels. | ||
R – Review Functionality | Test extension ladder locks, stepladder spreaders, and platforms (or A-frame hinges for proper operation). |
For another useful checklist, take a look at our Ultimate House Painting Checklist.
4. Paint Smart in the Texas Heat
As a Dallas, Texas homeowner, you know a thing or two about the heat, especially in the summer months when it reaches the low and mid-90s.
In the most ideal world, you don’t want to be painting anything outside during these months. If you need to, do it in the morning or evening when the temperature is lower.
The heat isn’t the only thing you need to worry about personally, either. It affects your paint drying time, which may lead to uneven finishes, poor adhesion, and visible brush strokes.
5. Be Weather-Ready
The last safety tip for painting is to be weather-ready. Monitor weather forecasts and plan around them.
The last thing you want to do is get caught up in a storm. It can be pretty damaging, especially if you paint outside or have paint drying outside.
In Dallas, the best months to paint are spring and fall. However, it does depend on the humidity level and temperature. Most paint companies recommend an area above 70° F and a relative humidity of 50%.
For the Best Results, Hire Us
After reading the painting safety tips above, you should be well-equipped with the knowledge to mitigate a lot of risk, especially if you live in Dallas, TX.
If painting is still a concern, contact our professionals at Dallas Paints. We’ve been serving Dallas, TX, and the surrounding area for years and know how to stay safe while delivering excellent results.
