Eco-Friendly House Painting Tips

 

There isn't a better way to freshen up the look of your home than by applying a fresh coat of paint. You can either hire a professional or take on the task yourself.

Before you start, there are a few considerations you should consider in terms of health and safety practices. Not all paint coatings are created equal. Some produce more VOC's (volatile organic compounds) than others. Paint choices will also differ by the amount of odor they emit.

How you “prep” the walls or substrate can increase your exposure to unhealthy elements.

​Choose Low Dust Drywall Compound

Always use a dust mask when sanding!. The dust produced from all-purpose drywall compound contains mica and crystalline silica which have been named hazardous materials by OSHA. These chemicals are present in the dust and can cause eye, throat and lung irritation.

We recommend buying drywall compound that produces less airborne particles or dust, such as Synco Dust Control Drywall Compound, which is available at most Home Depot locations.

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Buy Zero VOC Paints & Stains

VOC's are one of a number of chemicals that are harmful to your health and the environment. Paint is one of many substances that contain VOC's which are released during the drying process. VOC concentrations or 'Volatile Organic Compounds' will vary depending on the architectural coating such as primer, stain, paint or lacquer.

We at Eco Star Painting recommend using water-based, ZERO VOC paints and our favorites are manufactured by Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Dulux Paints. Other manufacturers offer Eco Friendly Paints but check the label before buying. Paint manufacturers are required to provide the VOC content for every coating  and it is listed as grams per liter or g/l.

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How Much Paint to Buy?

Don't buy more paint than you need. That's wasteful and may end up in a landfill or dumped irresponsibly. Determine how much paint you need for the job by looking at the label or online PDF of the product. Most paints will  cover about 350-400 square feet per gallon. Add the length of the four walls and multiply by the height of the ceiling to determine the square footage. Measure a room  ( L+ L+L+L)(Height) = wall square footage

Example: If a room is 12' by 12' and the ceiling height is 9 feet,  (48')(9') = 432  square feet.

Remember that two coats will double the amount of paint needed.

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Beware Of  Lead-Based Paint

Thanks goodness that oil-based paints are on the way out globally. Petroleum based  byproducts, like alkyd paints, have a  negative impact on the ecosystem and the environment.

Before sanding an old painted surface be aware that it may contain lead which is a toxic heavy metal element.

Lead-based paints were used before 1960 and can be found in lower percentage concentrations from 1960-1990. All paints manufactured after 1992 are lead-free. If in doubt, many paint stores sell lead testing kits. Always wear a dust mask regardless of what substrate you may be sanding.

 

Eco Friendly Paint Strippers

Methylene Chloride has been the chief component of paint strippers  for decades  and was recently classified as a toxic substance in the US and Canada  It's very harmful to the environment and to all living creatures. The EPA in the US has restricted selling methylene chloride based strippers to the general public in 2019, but it is still available for commercial use by  professional painters.

For these reasons we recommend using Eco Friendly Paint Strippers. Look for soy-based  paint strippers such as "Peel Away" from Dumond or "EZ Strip" which is 100% water soluble and biodegradable.

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Paint Disposal 

Never pour paint down the drain or dump it on the ground anywhere. Be "Eco-Responsible" and take any leftover paint to the designated disposal locations in your city or town.

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Storing Leftover Paint

It's always a good idea to keep any leftover paint for future touch-ups. Never store it outside to freeze in the winter. You can purchase quart sized containers at any paint store if you have less than 1/4 of a gallon left, or pour into a glass pickle jar with a tight-fitting lid. You don't want to store a fraction of a gallon in its original container. Write down the color of the paint (and its formula) in case you need more in the future.

For more information visit https://ecostarpainting.com