The thought of painting their living space is an exciting prospect for many homeowners. This is because it’s a chance to revamp their living space and breathe new life into it. The simple act of deciding on the perfect shade is exciting as it is, and some people find the act of painting in itself more like therapy than a chore. However, your HVAC repair and painting expert will tell you that each home improvement project comes with its own benefits and drawbacks.
A painting specialist will tell you that repainting your indoor space is a great way to improve your home’s aesthetics and overall appearance and condition. However, did you know that without proper preparation, it could drastically decrease the indoor air quality of your home, making it dangerous to stay in for extended periods of time? Even if you’re only dedicating a few hours to a cosmetic touch-up of your home, a fresh coat of paint can negatively impact the indoor air quality of your living space.
In this post, Albert Air Inc, one of the first companies that comes up when you’re searching the Web for an “air conditioning repair near me”, shares the best indoor air quality practices to follow when you have an indoor painting project.
Painting materials have come a long way from when they were highly toxic. While most paints nowadays are a lot safer, they still contain VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, that evaporate into the air over time. This is the primary source of poor indoor air quality whenever you apply a fresh coat of paint at home. Indoor VOC emittance levels are highest during the painting process and soon after the paint dries.
Air conditioning service experts will tell you that VOCs can cause both short-term and long-term health problems, such as:
Respiratory complications
Dizziness
Nausea
Eye Irritation
Headaches
Kidney damage
Liver damage
Cancer
Don’t just go into a paint store and choose the first shade that catches your eye. Before you get a new can of paint from the hardware store, your painting and air conditioning service expert will tell you that you should purchase paints that are manufactured specifically for indoor use. Never use exterior paint for indoor painting projects.
There are two types of paints that are used for interior projects: oil-based and water-based. Water-based paints are commonly known as “latex” paints, while oil-based paints are also known as “alkyd” paints. Steer clear of oil-based paints and gravitate toward water-based paint options since they emit fewer chemicals and are easier to maintain. They can easily be cleaned up using mild soap and water, as opposed to oil-based paints, which require toxic solvents to clean them.
You might consider no-VOC or low-toxicity paint options, but your HVAC repair and painting expert will tell you that even if they’re better in terms of indoor air quality, they aren’t toxin-free. Their durability, quality and cost vary greatly as well.
Regardless of which choice you make, make sure that you carefully read through the labels for the components, warnings and usage instructions, even if you’re already familiar with the paint products. Remember that precautions can change as the years go by, and can change from paint to paint and from manufacturer to manufacturer as well.
Here are some alarming facts about indoor air quality that serve as a reality check as to how important it is to ensure that the air we breathe in at home is clean and fresh. Remember that many people stay indoors more nowadays and are trying their best to stay safe from the looming dangers outdoors.
Levels of common air pollutants can range anywhere from two to five times higher indoors. In severe cases, even 100 times higher.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has emphasized that indoor air pollution is one of the leading threats to our health. In fact, the average person receives around 72% of their total chemical exposure at home.
Every person inhales around 3,000 gallons of air per day, which needs to be as clean and fresh as possible.
Health impacts might not be apparent on the surface, but many respiratory issues can be fatal. and may not show signs until it’s too late.
It’s ideal to use interior paint products under mild weather conditions with the windows open. Don’t paint indoors when there are torrential conditions outside and all of your windows are closed. Don’t forget to shut off your HVAC unit as well. Remember that VOC levels are at their highest when paint is being applied and while it’s drying, so keep your windows open as it’s drying out. It’s also a great idea to put a fan beside your window, facing outward, so that it can draw out stale air and move it away from your house.
Another great option is to use your kitchen and bathroom ventilation system to remove paint fumes. However, make sure that the vents actually lead outside, since many vents are just installed to remove stale air, which is released into the attic or the ceiling joists. Other indoor air quality experts recommend installing an air purifier that can remove toxic particles in the air as well as absorb VOCs by using activated carbon filtration systems for homes that have indoor air quality issues. Even if the painting project is complete, it’s best to stay away from your home for a few more days while leaving the windows open, if possible. After all, just because the paint has dried doesn’t mean that it no longer emits VOCs.
Since 1982, Albert Air Inc. has served homeowners and commercial property managers in the North Orange County area. We’re a licensed and insured full-service HVAC company, ensuring more-than-satisfactory results through superior workmanship backed by decades of industry experience. If you’re curious about the quality of our work, you only need to search for “quality air conditioning repair near me,” and you’ll quickly see that our name is one of the first to come up. Our 5-Star ratings on Facebook and our Google My Business reviews are also testament of our unmatched workmanship.
Albert Air Inc. has got you covered when it comes to quality IAQ products and services. We serve Fullerton, CA, and the rest of North Orange County. Call us today at (714) 526-6368 or fill out this contact form to schedule your consultation.