Author: etpainting

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Home Renovations

How to Drywall a Basement Ceiling

When working to complete and finish the house basement, the ceiling commonly proves to be the most tedious task. Installing basement drywall ceiling is the most cost-effective techniques to cover the floor joists and beams, and finishing your basement ceiling properly.

Basement Drywall Installation Process requires precise measurements and enough strength to undertake.

Steps to Prepare a Dry Basement Ceiling

Measure the area :

Before starting the process, make sure you have the correct measurements of the ceiling. Have the exact dimensions and then decide on the number of drywall sheets that are required.

Clean and repair the walls :

For basement drywall installation process you must have a surface which is free of oils and other substances. Choose a cleanser that is pH-neutral. Use a light-bristled scrub brush to scrub the walls. Rinse the walls with clean water and allow them to dry. Make sure that are no cracks and holes in the walls. Clean and repair all of the cracks and fixtures you located. Fill the cracks and small holes using joint sealant.

Hang full sheets of drywall to the basement ceiling :

Start from a corner of the basement and mark the position of the joists on the sheet. Have someone help you secure the drywall up to the basement ceiling, while you install it. Keep the drywall sheet in the desired place of the basement ceiling with one hand, and then drill with the other hand. Now drill into the joist. Move to the opposite corner and drill in another screw. When you have 3 or 4 bolts drilled, bring your hand down and drill in the other pins.

Make cuts in Drywall and hang the cut pieces :

Some parts of the basement ceiling need small pieces of drywall. Estimate the dimensions and label them on drywall. While hanging the pieces start with the smaller pieces and then go for the larger pieces.

Make cuts for the fixtures in the ceiling :

Do not forget there will be some lighting fixtures in the ceiling. Before fixing the drywall make sure that you make cuts for all the fixtures in the ceiling. Also, look out for any obstacles that are present and make cuts accordingly.

Taping and covering with mud :

After the drywall is hung onto the ceiling, see that ceiling joists are available for support. In addition to these joists, drywall screws are also used to have the drywall in their correct places. After fixing the bolts with a screw gun, cover all seams with drywall tape and mud. By coating with mud, we can get the finished product to be more smooth and ready for the primer application.

Conclusion

Basement Drywall Installation Process is a complicated task which can make things messed up in a way that cannot be undone. You need a Professional for a perfect drywall basement ceiling installation. Our experts at Executive Touch Painters have years of experience in basement renovations. So, Contact or Call us Now at (416)-410-0164 for a Free Estimate to know the cost of Drywall basement ceiling for your home.

Categories
Residential Painting

How to Get Rid of Paint Smells and Fumes Quickly

Deciding to get your house painting is a good idea, and you can hire professionals to do the job for you. But like every homeowner, you also need to face many issues when you choose to paint your home, and one of them is the paint odor. Your place looks great after a marvelous work, but you will also need to get rid of the lousy paint smell.

Tips to Get rid of Paint Smells Quickly, Safely and Easily

  • Choose the right interior paint for your home with the help of a professional.
  • Proper ventilation of the rooms is always useful in reducing the smells.
  • Place fans facing an open window, to direct smells outside the rooms.
  • Go for Zero or Low VOC paints.
  • Try to avoid oil paints or alkyd based paints. If necessary use low odor paints.
  • Do not go for painting all the rooms at a time, which can make you more uncomfortable.
  • Keep the doors of other rooms closed when painting one room. Thus not allowing the odor or fumes to spread.
  • Cover the paint containers to reduce the fumes to spread.
  • Be sure to throw away the kitchen ingredients used to reduce the fumes and odor, as they have toxic gases in them.
  • Use natural products to get rid of paint smell safely.
Below are some Household Products to Remove Paint Odors Naturally

Charcoal: Charcoal is the best absorbent of foul smell. Place crushed charcoal in buckets where the paintwork is going on.

Baking Soda: Another good absorbent of bad odors. Place bowls of baking soda in the painted rooms. Keep them overnight for removing the smell entirely.

Onions: Onions may have a pungent smell, but they quickly absorb the toxic paint smell. Cut an onion into two halves and place them on either side of a painted room.

A mixture of Lemon and Water: Just keep a bucket of water and drop slices of lemon in it. Keep the bucket in the room where the painting is going on.

Vinegar: Keep bowls of vinegar in the room which is getting painted. Vinegar keeps the place fresh.

Coffee Beans: Use coffee beans to control the paint smell. Place bowls with coffee beans in painted room. You can reduce the feeling of paint smell in no time.

Vanilla: Place vanilla extract on cotton balls. Place the cotton balls all around the rooms getting painted. The strong smell of vanilla strong enough to eliminate and cover up the suffocating toxic odor of the paints.

Herbs: Herbs like rosemary have strong odors and help in removing the smell of the paints. Place the plants for some days in the rooms.

Camphor and Naphthalene: Camphor and Naphthalene also can be used to avoid sharp smells of the paints.

Paint Fumes

Paint Fumes are Volatile Organic Compounds(VOC) that evolve from a painted surface. These fumes cause an immediate effect to eyes and lungs which results in dizziness, headache and can even also affect your brain.

How to Remove Paint Fumes

Light a Candle: Just light a candle in the center of the room and let it burn for few hours in the painted room. The flame will burn the flammable components in the paint solvent and reduce the fumes.

Placing buckets of Water: Water absorbs the solvent vapors in the paint and leaves your room fumes free.

Ensure Proper ventilation: Always be sure that there is proper ventilation in the painted room.

Conclusion

Hope the above simple steps will help you to get rid of paint smells and fumes that are emitted from your painted room. If you are looking to initiate your interior painting with proper care taken for your home and family. Contact our professional painters at Executive Touch to get started. or Call us Now at (416)-410-0164 For a Free Estimate.

Categories
Exterior Painting

Does Exterior Paint Increase Home Value

As there is an overwhelming growth in residential real estate business, many homeowners who are listing their homes in the market expect a reasonable sales price. The question is now “Does exterior paint increase home value?” we say “yes,” A fresh coat of paint on your house improves the curb appeal and also an efficient use of color on the elevation of your home can add thousands of dollars to its value.

Advantages of Exterior Painting

According to some reports, good exterior painting increases the value of a home by 2-5 %. Take care while painting the exteriors of a house. Below are the main benefits of an exterior paint finish to your home.

  • Improves Curb appeal: Curb appeal is all about setting the right tone when a prospective buyer sees your exterior of your home for the first time.
  • The increase of lifespan: No matter which type of finish you have for your house, a fresh layer of exterior paint can help increase its lifespan.
  • Better Aesthetics: A fresh coat of paint can make your siding seem newer, putting your whole house in a different light.
  • Increased Protection against harsh elements of nature: Rain, wind, insects and other exterior factors can be a severe problem to an exterior of the house. Exterior paint job helps to protect the home from natural damages.
  • Objectively increased value of home: When a buyer comes to a house, a new or useful exterior paint will have an impact on the price of the house.
  • Buyers need not worry about re-painting the house after purchasing.
  • Right colors to the exteriors help the house to look bigger and appealing.
  • It is more reasonable to paint than the installation of the new vinyl cladding.

Tips for Your Exterior Painting Project

You need to take a lot of care while painting the exteriors of your home because it creates the first impression on the prospective buyers of your residential property.

Follow these few tips for exterior painting project to be a success.

  • Freshen up the exterior by giving striking colors to the window frames, railings, and other accents.
  • Select neutral, white and cream colors which appeal to most of the persons.
  • Paint vinyl siding the same shade or lighter to prevent the material from warping because of heat.
  • Make sure that the exterior paint compliments the other materials of home like bricks, stone, and roof.
  • Paint window sashes and hanging surfaces, such as porch ceilings, lighter shade to reflect light.
  • Try to use mostly warm colors than cool colors.
  • Paint the window slashes and overhead surfaces with light colors to lift the spirit of the house.

Conclusion

For any house exterior painting is very important. Also, you need to face many challenges at this time. So don’t wait to give our professional painters at Executive Touch the opportunity to improve your homes curb appeal. Call us at (416) 410-0164 for a Free Estimate Now.

Categories
Home Renovations

What is Stucco and What are its benefits?

Stucco, or Portland Cement Plaster, is applied to many buildings as a low-cost coating. It is available in a broad range of colors and textures, and it is durable, strong, and fire-resistant. Even though the method of applying stucco may look simple, it is better not to be done by yourself as any mistakes throughout the process could lead to serious problems.

What is Stucco Made Of?

Modern stucco is made of water, sand, and Portland cement materials mixed to form a plaster. But, other stucco options are made from a variety of raw materials. Traditional stucco, for instance, uses hydrated lime instead of Portland Cement. It is mixed on site and used in many layers.

What is Stucco Used For?

Stucco is applied by an industry expert to the interior and exterior walls. A specialist can apply the plaster by manually or with a machine. This Portland Cement Plaster may be used on a frame structure, or on concrete wall systems. It is used to cover concrete, or for siding, clay brick, cinder block, and more.

Benefits and Loses of Using Stucco?

The Advantages of Stucco

Stucco, or Portland Cement Plaster, is strong, low-cost, and durable coating. It is adaptable and can be used with concrete, wood frame, or steel frame, concrete masonry, brick. It also is utilized in a wide variety of climates. It is weather resistant, fire resistant and color retentive. So, Therefore, various pigments can be added to the plaster to give your stucco specifically the appearance that you are looking for.

The Disadvantages of Stucco

Stucco is rot resistant, versatile, and durable; but, it does not sustain very well in wet conditions. Stucco is pory so that water can seep through the material. This will make the material to decay. Additionally, the moisture may damage your home frame if it is exposed to water over a large amount of time.

One method to assist the stucco wall last by wet seasons is to complete areas like bottom footing or top of the home that get in contact with moisture the most in another material, such as vinyl or brick.

Repairing stucco materials is a challenge. House owners who live in wet or wintry climates will have to repair stucco more frequently. Although, any stucco repair is a challenge, as there are multiple layers that your contractor will need to fix. Stucco repairs are very time-consuming and costly.

One of the best signs of whether or not you must stucco your home is by looking around the neighborhood. If there are no stucco houses, then it’s apparently for weather-related causes. You can also ask a local stucco specialist to see if it’s appropriate for you.

Stucco Colors and Texture

In spite of being a low-cost construction surface, stucco is extensively used because it has a wide texture and color range. This gives stucco immense potential for home customization. Colour aggregate and pigments can change the color of the material. Experts will use white Portland Cement as a base to achieve the broadest color range.

Stucco could be applied in a textured fashion to achieve the appearance of other materials such as brick, wood, or stone. Specialists will use different aggregate sizes for various textures. This changes the consistency of the perfected mix. Several application techniques will also modify the stucco coating as well.

Can You Apply Stucco Yourself?

Though the application of Stucco may seem to be an easy method, the incorrect use of it can cause serious issues such as separating, bulging and cracking. The home timber frames may decay if moisture flows in through the stucco. It is suggested that you call in an expert.

Conclusion

A faulty stucco finish can cost you thousands of dollars to repair down the road. So don’t make your hands dirty and lose money. Simply pick your phone and call (416) 410 – 0164 to hire our professional stucco contractors in Toronto. They can assure that the stucco is correctly applied according to standardized measures so that it lasts many years.

Categories
Floors Home Renovations

Replacing vs Refinishing your Hardwood Flooring in Toronto

Most of the homes today are using Hardwood floors. For flooring, wood is a suitable choice material and can come in various styles, colors, and cuts. There are many advantages of this hardwood flooring. The main advantage is a long time investment. Houses with hardwood floor have more resale value. It’s also easy to clean. Quality hardwood floors are robust, hard-wearing and have long time durability. For these reasons, most of the homeowners in Toronto prefer hardwood floors.

Hardwood floors take a lot of pressure on them. Over time they become stained, chipped and became dull.

Factors for Deciding on Refinishing or Replacing Your Wood Floors.

1. Price

Price is the first variable to consider. Refinishing is cheaper than replacing. When replacing the price of the new wood and the cost of installation are to be considered. Refinishing cost can be obtained from your local floor renovators.

2. Aesthetics

If your primary goal is just to bring shine to the hardwood floor, simply refinish. It’s just easy to refinish the floor than replacing it. If you want to change the aspect of the floor or need to change the design of the flooring, then go for replacing the floor. Want to change the perspective of the floor itself, like the style of the wood, the direction of the planks or the consistency of the material? then go for an entire floor replacement. Refinishing is to restore existing while Replacing is to get new look or feel.

3. Time

Refinishing takes a lot of time than replacing the floor itself. It can take approximately five days, and the floor must remain completely untouched. The process requires sanders, edgers, buffers, scrapers, brushes, base coat sealers, topcoat sealers, putty knives and sometimes paint. On the other hand, replacement can be completed in less time.

4. Quality

You cannot just restore the wooden floor by just refinishing it. Refinishing is just adding cosmetics to your old floor. The process does not repair the damages if any present inside the wood. Before going for refinishing just check if there are any severe damages to the floor. If there are no critical damages, go for refinishing, else go for replacing.

5. Age of the Floor

Age of the floor is to consider before going for refinishing or replacement. Resistance may come from a wooden floor that is in place for many years. A floor of ¾ inches thick cannot take more than six times of refinishing process in its lifetime of 20 years. If the floor has already received sixth refinishing, then go for replacing it.

Refinishing a floor just gives a new look but not a new life to your floor. On the other hand replacing gives you a new floor with a new look and new added life to the floor, making your home look good. (If you are looking to repair a warped wood floor read this article.)

Conclusion

Still not able to decide on refinishing or replacing your hardwood flooring in Toronto? Don’t worry Contact us online or Call on 416.410.0164 to let our professionals at Executive Touch Painters inspect your floor to give a quick suggestion and new ideas for your wooden flooring.

Categories
Home Renovations

Why Drywall Repair is Important Before You Paint

Renewing, repairing your interior with a new coat of paint is a tremendously simple task, mainly if the drywall is in proper condition. However, if the drywall shows signs of damage, repairing it prior to painting is vital to get professional results.

Why Do Repair Drywall?

Beyond the apparent aesthetic problems, there are numerous reasons to get drywall repaired. Drywall has many features. However, one of the most crucial is to keep the factors out of your home. Holes and cracks may also let wind, construction residue, pests, insulation, and moisture into your house. Drywall damage also makes your home less energy efficient, as heat and air conditioning break out through damaged areas of drywall.

Holes

Repairing Drywall Holes

To repair holes in drywall, select a quality spackling compound for small holes and joint compound for large holes. With a putty knife, use the filler to cover the hole and spread it thinly around it. Allow the filler to dry and practice one more coat, without overloading. After the second layer has dried, use fine-grit sandpaper to clean the surface. Also, you could use self-adhesive drywall patches to repair holes up to six inches in diameter. In case the wall has multiple holes in it, the great thing to do is to replace the damaged section or the whole sheet. To replace a damaged part, reduce it down with a utility knife and remove it. Cut a corresponding piece of new drywall and use screws to attach it to the prevailing studs. Then, use a quick-drying joint compound to fill in any gaps among the new section and existing drywall, let the compound dry and sand the surface.

Loose Tape

Repairing Drywall Tape

Tape effervescent and lifting away from the wall surface is another well-known drywall hassle that needs to be repaired. Use knife to cut bubbles, dispose of the tape and fill the hole with joint compound. Use a new strip of tape and cover it with a thin layer of joint compound. Subsequent the synthesis dries out, sand imperfections away.

Water Damage

Block Water Leaks

In case of great water damage, the best solution is to replace the whole drywall sheet. If the structure of the wall hasn’t been compromised, you could look at drywall repair techniques. Before trying to repair drywall, finding and fixing the source of the damage is essential to prevent trouble recurrence. Once the critical repairs were made, allow the drywall to dry entirely and check its condition. If there are any water stains, use a very good-quality stain blocker to prevent stains from bleeding through the finish paint. To repair superficially damaged drywall, scrape off the loose layers of paint surfaces and topping compound, deal with the regions laid low with a mold with the anti-mold solution and allowed the drywall well. Then, apply a high filler over the repair area, let it dry completely and sand down any bumps with fine-grit sandpaper. If the water-damaged region is soft and spongy, it’ll most probably want to get replaced.

Hairline Cracks

Repair Cracks

Hairline cracks commonly appear at inner corners of walls. In this situation, drywall repair involves making use of acrylic latex caulk, which is flexible sufficient to resist the movement among adjacent walls.

Is Drywall Very Costly To Repair?

Never. For small holes, a patch may be made from another piece of drywall. That is fitted into the hole (that is frequently enlarged to contain the patch neatly), taped into place, applied coats of paint & primer, cemented, and refinished so that the repair isn’t visible.

In more significant damaged portions, the elimination of complete pieces of drywall can be done, however, new parts aren’t expensive, and the labor isn’t so hard or costly to break your budget.

Drywall repair is nearly never a huge task when you understand how easy and beneficial it is to repair your drywall problem, however, house owners sometimes worry that it’ll be.

Conclusion

Maybe it looks drywall repair an easy job that can be done on your own. But repairing your walls without any mess ups requires professionals even if it involves minor repairs. If you really need a long-lasting drywall repair and Interior painting results. Contact or Call our professionals at 416-410-0164 for a free estimate.

Categories
Interior Painting Kitchen

6 Attractive Reasons to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets

Many house owners in Toronto take some time to think about methods of upgrading their home. However, many limit what they do because they will not have the budget for it. This means some parts of the house tend to be forgotten, which includes the kitchen cabinets. However, painting offers you with many benefits of which you will be unaware. Here are some reasons to paint your kitchen cabinets.

Benefits of Painting Kitchen Cabinets

New Aesthetic Attraction

In case you recognize your shelves becoming dull or diminished, we suggest painting them to bring them back to life. This not only makes them more significant aesthetically attractive, it additionally offers increased value to your house over the long-term.

Kitchen Renovation Is Affordable

Painting your Oak Kitchen cabinets could make a massive difference in the look of a kitchen. It could remodel the complete room to feel like it’s been made over. The new hardware also can give even stock cabinets a custom look and experience.

Modern Colors To Impress

Many kitchen cabinet doors and shelves have the same colors, timber or white. They all seem the same with very little to break up the colors. By painting the cabinet’s frame, you’re able to liven up the kitchen with your favorite colors or accents to provide an entirely new feel to the room.

Increase The Value Of Your House

One of the major elements that people take into account when looking to buy a home is the look of the kitchen. By painting your kitchen cabinets doors and drawers in a favorite color, you could provide your kitchen with a main upgrade and greatly increase the value of your house in the eyes of potential buyers.

Paint Colors to Save Time

Complete kitchen renovation or remodeling is worrying and stressful. It could also take a long time to get the whole thing to complete, mainly with a limited budget. While painting the kitchen upper cabinets, you could make time and avoid becoming overwhelmed. You could apply a coat of paint at a time, stop, and paint again whenever you’re prepared.

Paint To Stick Around

Painted furniture and cabinets are great proper now, and painted cabinets can update an older kitchen. Also, you could paint other furniture pieces to your kitchen which includes buffets, hutches, dining sets, etc. to suit or compliment your cabinets. It’s an excellent way to tie in all your colors.

Conclusion

Painting kitchen cabinets will create a great impact on your home because no home is complete without a kitchen. With the help of professional painters like Executive Touch Painters, you will get the paint job done right.

Contact or Call us Today! on phone at (416)-410-0164 or online for a Free Estimate.

Categories
Commercial Painting

How to choose the Right Colour Palette for Your Business Interior

Choosing the correct color pattern for your business Interior is a tough job. The color chosen needs to be subtle and elegant at the same time for the office environment. To keep the shade of the office perfect, you need to keep some of these critical factors in mind. The color palette you pick reflects the mood and efficiency of the workers in the office. A perfect shade in the workstation will bring a lot of positive energy into the working environment. Countless books wrote about how to boost your work productivity, but all you may have just needed a paintbrush, showing the importance of color in your office.

Office color not only affects the work of your staff but also the effects the clients visiting your office. A client evaluates your business by the look of your workstation and its color appearance. So it is essential to present yourself in right colors both for your staff and clients.

Paint or Color Schemes for Your Office

Blue

One of the most commonly used colors in the office is Blue. Blue Color has a lot of positive energy in it, and it also has a unique style for itself. So to bring style to the office blue color is a perfect choice. The color blue symbolizes confidence, security, honesty, loyalty, and conservatism. Blue often associates with depth and stability; it communicates a genuine and reliable outlook while boosting relaxation and intellectual thoughts in the staff.

Green

Green also the most used color in offices. The green color connects to wealth and growth, and it also offers you a calm and very confident environment on the workstation. The darker shade of the green color represents prestige and also reflects a more controlled, responsible and confident atmosphere and represents balance and growth. A color which reconnects us to our natural surroundings. The best way to introduce green into your office space is via green walls and potted plants.

White

Represents purity and cleanliness; a safe bet, but sometimes safe can equate to being dull and uninspiring. White is best to be used in the break out areas of the office and remember to give a nice and glossy finish. But keep it to a minimum.

Purple

Purple refers to royalty, ambition, and luxury. But at times it could be artificial due to its non-appearance in nature. So blend it with other colors to make it look fabulous and luxurious.

Red

Red has the capability of invoking passion and raise the mental energy flow in staff. It also apparently enhances metabolism, increases respiration rate. But an overdose of red can be overpowering and leads to adverse effects.

Yellow

Yellow is said to be the best color for areas of teamwork, as its bright tone can raise positivity and happiness in the staff. Yellow stimulates mental activity and generates muscle energy, but it also apparently reminds people of food funnily enough.

Orange

Orange is the most acceptable color among the youth. It represents happiness, success, and determination. Orange is highly visible color and quickly grabs attention. Use this color to highlight the essential element in your office.

Not only these colors many colors can be used for your office space. So now you know the importance of colors in your office. Paint the perfect color for your office and see the magic. Use the perfect blend of colors to create an ideal workstation for your staff.

Contact our Toronto Painters for converting your office into an inspiring and exciting environment to work. Or Call us now at (416)-410-0164 for a free quote.

Categories
Uncategorized

Lead Based Paint Canada

The Issue

Many older homes in Canada are decorated with lead-based paint. Removing or distributing this paint as part of a renovation project could expose people in the home to serious health risks. However, the risk can be minimized by following a number of guidelines.

Background

Lead Poisoning: People have known for a long time that exposure to lead is dangerous. Lead poisoning can cause anemia. It can also damage the brain and nervous system, resulting in learning disabilities.

The risks are greater for children than for adults because children’s growing bodies are able to absorb lead more easily. Even a small amount of lead dust is dangerous to infants and children. Lead taken in by mothers-to-be can also pose a danger to the health of unborn children.

Lead-based Paint in Homes: The likelihood that your home contains lead-based paint depends on when it was built and painted. Homes built before 1960 probably do contain lead-based paint. If your home was built after 1980, there is no need for concern about lead levels in interior paint, but there may be the lead in the paint used on the outside. There is no need for any concern about leaded paint in homes built after 1992 because by that time all consumer paints produced in Canada and the United States were virtually lead-free.

It is not always in your best interest to remove lead-based paint. In some situations leaving leaded pain alone, as long as it is not chipping or within the reach of children, is safer than trying to remove it. Covering the painted area with vinyl wallpaper, wallboard or paneling can provide extra safety.

However, lead-based paint in the home is a serious health hazard when it is chipping or flaking, or it is within the reach of children who might chew on it. In such cases, you should remove the paint following very specific guidelines.

Minimizing Your Risks

It is not safe to use sanders, heat guns or blowlamps to remove lead-based paint. These methods are counter-productive because they create dust and fumes that contain lead.

Homeowners should consider hiring experts to do the job. However, if you decide to do it yourself, use a chemical paint stripper, preferably one with a paste that can be applied with a brush. Chemical strippers contain potentially harmful substances themselves, so use them carefully.

  • Keep children and pregnant women away from the work area.
  • Remove furnishings from the work area. Use plastic sheeting to completely cover anything that cannot be moved.
  • Isolate the work area by covering doorways and vents with plastic sheeting and tape. This will prevent the spread of scrapings, chips, and paint particles to other parts of the house. Before starting work, make sure the room is properly ventilated. Set up a fan so It blows air out through an open window. Start by applying stripper near the fan and work your way back, so the fumes are always blowing away from you.
  • Always wear goggles, gloves and a good quality breathing mask. If you spill any chemical stripper on your skin, wash it off right away.
  • If you get stripper on your work clothes, take them off immediately. Wash them separately from other clothing.
  • Work for about ten minutes at a time, then take a break outdoors in the fresh air. Leave the work area right away if you have trouble breathing, get a headache, or feel dizzy or sick.
  • Never eat, drink, or smoke while removing paint, and keep anything that might cause a spark or static electricity out of the work area.
  • Clean the work area thoroughly at the end of each day. Put paint scrapings and chips in a sealed container marked Hazardous Waste. Then wipe down the work area with a clean damp cloth, and throw the cloth away.
  •  Do not throw out paint scrapings with the regular trash. Your local municipality can tell you the best way to dispose of old paint scrapings and other hazardous household wastes.
Before Your Renovate

There are several ways to find out whether the paint in your home is lead-based. Some independent contractors have special X-ray equipment that can sense lead on paint surfaces.

Another option is to send paint chips to a lab that specializes in analyzing lead concentrations in the paint. The two organizations that certify labs for this purpose are:

  • The Standards Council of Canada
  • The Canadian Association for Environmental Analytical Laboratories

Be sure to contact the lab first, and follow all directions for gathering and sending the paint chips.

Need More Info?

Your family doctor can order a simple blood test to find out your level of lead exposure. For further information, contact your doctor or the Poison Information Center nearest you.

Health Canada – Consumer Products site:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/protection/consumer.html

Health Canada – Lead Information package:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecs-sesc/toxics_management/publications/leadOandA/toc.htm