Paint Fumes

[Skyes_crew]

I haven't had the house painted since we moved in 4 years ago and so I'm thinking of having it done this fall. Of course my first thought was the birds. Would it be safe enough to move them to an upstairs room or do the fumes rise? Or should I just board the birds? And if I board them just to be on the safe side, how long will they have to be out of the house? I don't think I can be away from them for very long lol. Our HOA requires us to use a specific paint so I don't have a choice there. My neighbors just recently did touch ups and the smell was awful the first day. But the second day I smelled nothing. But I know birds are a lot more sensitive. Any input is appreciated of course

[ranechild]

I really think you'll want to board them... Those fumes are bad for humans let alone birdies.
I feel like 3 days would be sufficient... though I'm sure Miss K will come along with a more scientific approach.
Like this... http://voices.yahoo.com/the-unhealthy-s ... 01969.html
Perhaps there is a curing time indicated on the paint. I feel like 3 days is pretty good--with a lot of ventilation.

[Skyes_crew]

Wow...I wasn't aware of all of that. Ill have to do some research into the type of paint they'll be using. I guess I'll be moving out for a few days too. I have asthma . Thanks rane

[MissK]

I'm going to surprise you!

First off, for the love of all that's good, don't take this as a suggestion or advice or anything. I don't want to be the one killing your birds! I do my own painting because I'm, well, cheap. Living cheap lets me make those insane splurges when I feel they are merited. I last painted when I had only Canaries. I moved them to the farthest away spot in the house and shut the door, sealed the cracks with tape. Then I sealed off the one room I was painting with plastic and tape, and opened up all the windows. Then I painted and a full week later opened everything up again.

There may be a few pertinent points - I painted only one room at a time. I did not use the traditional open pan and roller, but a mason jar and a custom-trimmed house brush. The paint I used was not particularly noxious. I kept an exhaust fan running at all times. I used fresh tape for taping off the bird room each time I opened the door.

It's not for everyone, but that's how I did it.

-MissK

[Skyes_crew]

MissK, if I was 10 years younger, had 5 less kids, and didn't have 20' ceilings I'd be all over that believe me...it's going to kill me to have to hand over that kind of money. I'd rather a new bird cage or three

The whole house has to be done. It's 2500 sq. ft. 5 bdrms. Most of the rooms are 11 ft ceilings. The bird room is 20 ft. But if I put it off any longer I won't be able to use a magic eraser to get kids hand prints off the walls anymore. I think I'm almost down to the Sheetrock lol.

[Ring0Neck]

Skyes_crew,

I ran a painting company residential and commercial for years and the most important Question is :
what type of paint are you using?
watebased is non toxic and safe for humans it does not give out toxic fumes, but you can smell it of course, no harm though.
however if you use oil-based paints ( they are normally used for windows, doors, the high gloss enamel)
they are the ones to worry about.
Enamel pains are dying out and we here in OZ have already substitues water based enamel, slowly replacing the oil based.
I believe that in US they replaced oil based paints before OZ and are rarely used nowadays, so i been told by a friend in California.



83IV

[MissK]

Ah, my dear, let me introduce you to a little concept we have in the model train hobby world: The ten foot rule. In this area, the ten foot rule suggests that if it looks OK at ten feet, it's all good. Look me in the eye and tell me you see a need to paint that 20 foot ceiling!



-MissK

[Skyes_crew]

Ben...ill get the name of the paint and what it's made of tomorrow.

MissK...my husband and I had a good laugh over that one. He agrees with you

[Skyes_crew]

Ok Ben...Here's the paint type that our HOA approved for use in our home.

It's Sherwin Williams Interior Latex Heavy Body textured drywall paint.

VOC is 63 g/L - 0.53 lb/gal non-photochemically reactive

Ingredients: water, vinyl Polymer, Titanium Dioxide, Calcium Carbonate, Styrene-Acrylic Copolymer, Cristobilite, Quartz

If you need anything else let me know

[Ring0Neck]

Hi Sky,

Latex Heavy Body textured drywall paint...


Did you know that we in OZ don't have that brand NOR the type of paint.
Since, I don't know it, no point doing research you can or ask the painter for info,
Ask for the MSDS (matrial safety data sheet) manuf. has everything you need to know in there.

In OZ/QLD we do not texture paint the interior walls. you'll find a feature wall here n there but not the whole house and not that type of paint you guys use.
I had the privilige to have my house (walls & ceilings) done by my friend from US when he visited a few years back.

It was quick as he used the texture gun and looked rather strange when finished; nontheless i got that house sold quick so the buyers must have liked the "new" look.
Good to hide imperfections in walls.

[ranechild]

The point is that it has VOCs. VOC's=not good
You as a human can be ok with a little paint fume. you are so much bigger and can process it out of your body before it becomes a problem.
Birdies are so much smaller.
If you are hiring someone to paint the whole place, I would board them. You will have less control over what gets painted when (as opposed to one room at a time with doors taped shut).
Good luck.

[Skyes_crew]

Thank you everyone for your input when I was looking for a place to board my babies I came across a hotel that caters to these situations. A place to stay for both bird and owner together. I smell an excuse for another mini holiday