Floor paint chips can be a huge eyesore in your home. But if you see chips of paint on the floor, you should know that the tiniest particles can pose a danger to you and your family. Here are tips for how to stop and repair floor paint chips, and how to choose the best floor paint to keep them at bay.
Floor paint chips can be hazardous, as they have chemicals that are unsafe to breathe or touch. If you have paint chips on the floor in your home, keep children and pets away from them. They can also cause your floor to become slippery and cause accidents and falls. Ensure that your home is safe by dealing with floor paint chips as soon as you spot them.
For floor paint chips, use the proper paint for your floors. Preparation of the surface is the key to a good painted finish and must be well prepared before painting, plus use a sealant to stop the paint chipping. If you have paint chips on your floors already, you can repair them by sanding down the area, applying a primer, and painting the damaged spot.
Kids and pets are more likely to touch items to their mouths and ingest them, which puts them at risk of eating floor paint chips. If a child or pet ingests a floor paint chip, they could become ill or be injured. Keep young children and pets away from floor paint chips, and clean up any that you spot right away.
When you're selecting floor paint, select a high-quality, durable paint that's best for the surface you're working with. Water-based paints are typically ower in toxicity than oil-based paint. Seek paint that’s formulated to avoid chipping or cracking, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to use and maintain it.
Wear face protection, such as a mask, and gloves when removing an old layer of floor paint, so as not to inhale hazardous chemicals. Sweep the chips up with a vacuum or broom, and discard them in a sealed plastic bag. If you’re unsure of how to safely remove paint chips from floors, consider hiring someone to assist you.