Is Interior House Painting Safe?

Ventilation

• When painting with latex or oil-based paint you will want to make sure your work space is well ventilated and that there is good air circulation, for even these commonly used paints can become an irritant if they're in a confined space. Always open whatever windows you can and do not be afraid to use a fan to aid air circulation.

Scaffolding

• When properly installed scaffolding is almost always safer than working on a ladder because scaffolds have a large floor area to work from. Don't be afraid to rent scaffolding from a nearby rental center if you have high ceilings. Some interior spaces are best left to professional contractors because of high ceilings above stair cases.

Step Ladders

• Step ladders should only use be used for painting small areas of trim around windows and doorways. Make sure your paint supply is secured safely to the ladder before you climb up the rungs.

Dust

• Dust can be the most troublesome and least expected hazard, especially in an old building. Clean an old building (this includes ceilings, walls and sometimes floors) with soapy detergent and then rinse before painting. If you have to sand walls and ceilings, use a professional quality dust mask and never sand old lead or asbestos paint.

Lead and Asbestos

• If old lead or asbestos paint is present in your living space, the first step is to consult local building codes and/or professionals as to the best course of action. Sometimes these materials can be painted over, but the presence of chipped or loose paint usually necessitates removal of the old paint.

Special Paints

• Some materials such as epoxy-based or lacquer-based paint are best used only when wearing a vapor mask. Some people may feel better if they use a vapor mask in an area with oil-based paint.