Ideally, you’ll leave exterior painting to the professionals. You’ll almost certainly have to use a ladder, and that means you’ll need at least one helper. You may also run into such hazards as hornet’s nests under the eaves, unsteady gutters, rusty, popped nails and frayed electrical wires. There’s also a good deal of preparation to do before the first coat of paint goes on, especially if your home hasn’t been painted in a while. A professional can handle all before or during an exterior paint job. But if you decide to tackle this job yourself, here are some safety tips the pros follow.
Be Mindful of Ladder Safety
Every year a disturbing number of people are seriously injured because they fell off of a ladder. It’s crucial to learn ladder safety before painting the exterior of a house.
One safety tip the pros use is to make sure the feet of the ladder are always on firm ground. They never try to stabilize a ladder with shims and will brace it if it’s on uneven ground. They always use two hands when climbing a ladder and will have the paint or bucket of tools passed up by a helper or hoisted up by a rope.
Professionals never lean over to paint because this could destabilize the ladder. Their rule of thumb is never to paint beyond an arm’s length. Otherwise, they’ll move the ladder to where they need it to be. Pros also never allow more than one person to climb the ladder at a time.
Wear Personal Protective Equipment
Professional painters always wear personal protective equipment when they are working. This includes:
- Protective goggles
- Coveralls
- Respirators
- Shoes or boots with soles that grip
- Ear plugs
Use the Right Tools
Another reason why pros are the best choice to paint your home is that they know the right tools to use. Having the proper tools makes the job easier and protects the painter from injury.
Clean Up After the Job
Cleaning up properly after the paint job is another safety measure. Professional painters remove hazardous chemicals and objects that can fall on people or cause them to trip and fall.
Call Us to Learn More About Exterior Painting
A new paint job can make you fall in love with your house all over again, but you need to be aware of the hazards. For excellent exterior painting in Fort Wayne, IN, call our professionals at Top Coat Painting.
