Safety

Over time, moisture can penetrate wood, causing wood rot. When wood rot occurs, it is important to repair the affected area or replace the feature entirely. However, deciding when to repair and when to replace your wooden features is not always the easiest choice. Discover a few factors to consider to help you make this decision when dealing with wood rot. 3 Factors to Consider When Dealing with Wood Rot Wood rot typically occurs in areas where wood comes in contact with soil, is too close to greenery, exposed to leaky plumbing or standing water, or beneath damaged roofing. When you spot wood rot, three factors should be taken into consideration when deciding whether to repair or replace it. 1. How Severe is the Damage? Detected early, wood rot in areas like the base of a...

Painting your house’s exterior is one of the fastest and most economical ways to upgrade your home. However, while changing the color of your home exterior can help you achieve your desired style, there is a certain amount of risk that comes with exterior painting. To minimize this risk and ensure your safety, check out these essential exterior painting safety tips. 1. Practice Ladder Safety Anytime you are working off of the ground, there is a risk of falling. When using a ladder, it is critical to practice ladder safety. Before you climb any ladder, inspect it to ensure it is in good working condition. Your ladder should be placed about one foot from the house for every three feet in height and should be placed on a solid surface. Uneven ground, stones, or gravel can...

It is time to start that painting project. You’ve purchased brushes, paint, rollers, and more, and everything is almost ready to start. Have you taken all the necessary safety precautions? Painting safety is not something a lot of people dwell on but should seriously consider if undertaking a DIY painting project. Consider if you have all the equipment needed, if there’s adequate ventilation available in the room to be painted, and how to properly clean and dispose of materials when the job is done. Follow these safety tips to ensure the project will be a safe one. Ensure Adequate Ventilation  Proper ventilation is probably the most important thing to consider if using a solvent-based paint. According to the National Capital Poison Center, exposure to paint fumes from solvent paints can cause dizziness, headaches, and nausea. These...

Personal Protective Equipment is an essential aspect of keeping commercial painters safe. Many types of paint and other supplies used by professional painters are made from harsh chemicals that can cause significant health problems over time if painters do not protect themselves. Aside from professional painters, PPE should also be worn by anyone working with paint and other varnishes when working on any painting project. What are PPEs and When Should You Use Them? Personal protective equipment, or PPEs, include special chemical-resistant suits that are worn by professional and other painters to protect them from potential harmful effects of paint. These suits cover the entire body and include hoods, boots, and gloves and they provide a barrier between painters and the mists and vapors that come from many types of paint. Some PPEs also include respirators...

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and respirators are important to use when working on any construction or painting project. If you're working with water-based paint in a properly ventilated area, it hardly seems worth the trouble to use a respirator. However, determining the air quality of a worksite without professional testing is difficult and you may be exposing yourself or others to contaminants without even realizing it. Respirators should always be worn by painters in environments with reduced air quality, especially if sanding or the use of solvent-based paints are involved. There are two types of PPE respirators: atmosphere-supplying for providing clean air and air-purifying which removes harmful chemicals from the air. The type of mask you will need depends on the nature of the job. What Do Respirators Protect? A tight-fitting "half-mask" that covers the nose,...