New Jersey has all kinds of people, and that’s a great thing! We have outdoor adventurers and we have video game fanatics. There are sports fans and creative types. You can find brash extroverts and philosophical introverts. And of course, we have some people who prefer a do-it-yourself approach to home maintenance, while others prefer to call a professional. If you are a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to exterior painting, we sincerely hope you do it safely! Ladder safety is no joke.

How to Stay Safe on a Ladder

Exterior house painting requires you to reach some precarious places, even on a one-story house. Let us give you a few do’s and don’ts so you can stay safe as you paint:

Rules for a 4-Footed Ladder

• Make sure all four feet are on firm, level ground, and that the ladder is not wobbly.
• Make sure the legs are fully extended out from each other, and that the horizontal bars between them are locked down.
• Don’t stand on the top step or on the horizontal stabilizers on the non-ladder side.

Rules for an Extension Ladder

• Make sure the feet are on a stable surface that will not slip, sink, or melt. Also, the two legs must be level.
• Ensure that the extension locks are fully engaged. Serious injury happens when the ladder retracts unexpectedly.
• Use ladder mitts to cover the top of each leg. This protects your home from damage.
• Use stand-offs to hold the ladder a little way off the house. This way the ladder doesn’t get in the way of the painting as much.

Other Ladder Safety Rules

• Don’t lean or reach far to the side. Instead, get off the ladder and move it over.
• Instead of handling a full gallon of paint on a ladder, pour some into an old yogurt
  container or something similar. This is much easier to manage when you’re up high.
• Work slowly and methodically. Don’t rush or make sudden movements.
• On each wall, start at the top and work your way down.
• If a situation seems at all precarious, it’s not worth continuing. Try repositioning yourself, or hire a professional house painter to take care of it for you.

Exterior Painting in New Jersey

If you are not the do-it-yourself type, or if your home offers unique challenges that require specific equipment or skills, Cherry Hill Painting would be delighted to serve you! We offer interior painting, exterior painting, remodeling, cabinet refinishing, deck maintenance, and more. We make sure that all our employees are thoroughly trained in ladder safety, so you can keep your feet firmly planted on terra firma!

Call us or contact us online for a free, no pressure estimate. Cherry Hill Painting serves New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area.