While the straightforward answer to this would be a no, some would say that it is safe for one to do the painting while living in the house. Since being within the interior of the house being painted can be a viable option, after all, let us look into some tips and at the same time words of caution as to how to live in the house while it is being painted.
Can I Stay Home during Painting?
Yes, for two reasons. First, there are painting projects which would not require you to be out of the home. This is especially true for exterior painting or when home repainting. Second, when the interior is painted in phases, you can occupy spaces that are not that near to the coverage of the painting job.
Reasons to Consider When Living in The House While It is Painted
If you really insist on staying in the house while it is painted, there are some factors which you should consider first. Here are the main factors which should guide your decision on staying in.
- Project duration: Preparing the house for painting already takes days or even a week. The painting itself, including drying and paint curing, could last for up to a month. Should you want to stay in the house while it is being painted, you can request that the painters do it in different phases.
- Efficiency: There are some homeowners who would like to communicate what they want to the painters so that their desired result for the house comes out. Contractors and painting professionals would say that this is okay.
If you are one of these homeowners, you can stay in the house while painting provided that you are the one tasked to oversee the whole painting job. The others, most especially the kids and elders should vacate the home.
- Paint fumes: This is perhaps, the most important consideration. Unfortunately, not everybody has the same tolerance level when it comes to these fumes. As has been said, children and the elderly are more vulnerable to paint fumes. Exposure to it should be limited at all costs.
If you insist on staying in while the home is painted, you must opt for low to zero VOC paint types. Oil-based paints also have lesser fumes compared to the others.
- Workflow: Whether you are leaving it to the contractors or you are doing the painting job yourself, it is essential that the workflow is first discussed. You need to plan out which parts of the home shall be painted first.
It is also needed for painters to know which of the rooms are currently unavailable. For instance, you can ask the kids to just stay in the living room for the day while their bedrooms are being painted first.
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Why Do I Need to Keep The House Tidy for The Painting Job?
Just because you are entrusting the painting job to contractors would mean that you have no part in the project. Keeping your house tidy before they come for the project is the last thing you could do to speed up the project.
Sort the stuff that must be covered and those that must be transferred elsewhere. Tidy up the space so that they could move efficiently.
How Long Do Paint Fumes Linger in The House after Painting?
This is a tricky question because it depends on the type of paint used for the painting. Even during the drying and curing process, paint fumes are still emitted. It is said that the fumes of standard paint could completely dissipate in a span of 14-24 weeks. Oil paints and low VOC paints fumes, on the other hand, dissipate 2-4 weeks after curing time.
How Long Should I Wait Before I Sleep in My Newly Painted Room?
Still, this one depends on the type of paint used. Generally, you can give it 4-8 hours before you can sleep in a newly painted room. If we are talking about toddlers and the elderly, give it at least three days.
You should always ask your contractor for their recommendation on the matter. This is because some paints tend to have stronger smells compared to others. They can cause nausea, vomiting, and headache for you so be wary about this.
What is The Best Temperature for Painting inside The House?
The recommended temperature for interior painting is 40F and above. You can also check the manufacturer’s recommendation on the back of the paint’s can. Or as per the rule of thumb, never paint your interiors if it is too cold or when it is damp. The paint hardly sticks and the fumes become more concentrated.
Is It Still Okay to Paint on Rainy Days?
While it is true that you can paint the home at any time of the year, it is not usually recommended that you do it during rainy days. The humidity level can be too overwhelming, making the paint particles cramp up together.
If you insist on painting on rainy days, make sure to put on the humidifier before and after the painting job to remove excess moisture and to speed up drying and curing.
Should I Leave The Windows Open after The Painting?
Yes. Leaving the windows open for a couple of days helps in lessening exposure to paint fumes. It is also beneficial in the faster dissipation of paint odors in the room. If the climate or temperature permits, leave the windows open for at least a week after the house is painted.
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Final Thoughts
It is now settled that yes, painting while living in the house is possible. However, it is subject to various considerations. Paint fumes should still be the first factor to be considered as they could lead to health risks.
At the end of the day, if you have an extra place where you could stay, it is still more recommended for all members of the household to vacate the premises while the painting job is done.