A scaffold can be really costly, especially it can be an unnecessary investment for the average person whose source of income does not come from the paint business; however, scaffoldings are the safest option for painting tall exteriors.
You do not have to hire an expert every time, mainly for tasks that you can do them yourself with just a little help, and you also don’t need to spend money on buying a scaffold, you can rent it.
The important thing is to know how to set a scaffold up properly, place it correctly and make an adequate usage of it at the moment of going up or down.
Here in Decorating Visita Casas we explain you all of this and more!
Learning to Work over a Scaffold
If you are going to paint on high places of your house exteriors or even the roof, a scaffold is a better alternative than a ladder. A thousand times better in fact!
It will not only make the task safer by giving you a wider and stable surface where to work on; but it also brings enough space for all your required tools during the painting process.
Forget about having to go up and down of a ladder!
In this sense; a scaffold not only makes the task experience safer; but it also makes it more efficient.
Making use of a scaffold is not as complex as rocket science. Even though the aspects you need to take into account are very precise. But; after reading the following paragraphs you will be ready to work. Let’s do it!
Choosing the Best Scaffold
To be able to choose the best scaffold at the moment of doing height tasks on your house such as painting walls or roofs; it is necessary first to know shortly the different types of scaffolds.
Hanging Scaffolds
These are typical scaffolds that we frequently see in movies. Thanks to pulleys; either electrical or manual, we can adjust the height to which we desire to work. Of course; as stated on the name, these scaffolds hang from the ceiling.
It is because of this that people working on hanging scaffolds required “life lines” or harnesses and ropes. Those are the ones in charge of keeping you tied to the roof in case the scaffold collapses and falls.
These scaffolds are commonly used to clean window glasses at very high places.
Easel Style Scaffold
These are the platforms held by “A” shaped frames. Although they can be foldable and rigid; generally the easel, as well as the platform, come made of wood.
Recommended max height for this type of scaffold is around 13 inches; and as you might supposed already, this kind of scaffold is the safest and most common one that you will be using on your house tasks.
Tower Scaffolds
The best known by you for sure. It is the scaffold that you always see in regular construction sites. It can be a mobile tower; simple clamps and elbows or modular type.
Generally light alloy extruded aluminum; a tube of this kind of scaffold has 0.06 inches of thickness and the cylinder is 1.9 inches of diameter.
The platform rests on horizontal crossbars that are sustained by four uprights. You shouldn’t go up beyond 40 feet if you are not using a life line. Although its lightness the weight calculations over the wheels must be done properly.
The most commonly found types of wheels are:
- Wheels with cast iron hub rubber band of 5.9 inches with load capacity of 396 pounds. 7.8 inch rubber band with 440 lbs. Load capacity.
- Wheels with sheet metal hub they have 7.8 ” rubber band with load capacity 396 pounds per wheel.
The calculation of weight must always be done in function of three wheels, thus; If you get 440-pound wheels, you should never exceed 1320 pounds.
Anyway; this type of scaffold are more common on construction sites so we don’t believe you might need it.
Assembling our Structure
“Never be too careful” “Better safe than sorry”. We bet you are tired of listening to these phrases; however, it is time for you to put them in practice. After all; it is your safety which is put in risk.
We already established that the best scaffold for the kind of task you need (painting high walls and roofs) is the Easel style scaffold; even though the Tower Scaffold can be a valid option. Because of this reason; we will explain the assembling technique that better suits both structures.
However; the best subcategory of these temporary structures are known as Supported Scaffold. That is the one which in a way rests over the wall.
And don’t forget that whether you need to build, demolish, paint, clean, doing some fixes or just maintenance.
Scaffolds are useful for all those things!
But it is a hero that can become a villain if you do not follow the warnings.
Assemble and Disassemble
Always; without exception, you should have at hand:
- Calculus memory
- Tech Specifications
- Sketch
Especially if it is a rented scaffold. The guidance of an expert should be proportioned by part of the company that is renting the structure.
Besides you should have at hand the following:
- Red plate during phrase.
- Green plate post inspection.
- Check List.
Do not forget to signal or delimit the working area properly in order to have enough free and safe space in case a tool falls from the scaffold.
Be extremely cautious if the scaffold is going to be set close to electric set ups.
You can’t ignore the minimum distance suggested. Besides; the bodyguard and skirting board are fundamental in this kind of task. Leaving free the side where the service is going to be done.
The mounting must be supported by footings on firm and level ground!
Avoid using pieces of wood on the ground to level the scaffold. The proper footing must be non-skid and fully covered. Do not also forget that these plates must be supported on transversal plates of at least 39 inches over the borders.
It is very important that the wood is of good quality. Dry; without knots or splits. Just forget the idea of using specialized paint to cover flaws.
Using Scaffoldings
In order to avoid risks during the climbing; nothing must be on the way or interfere on the way of the person that is working (you and probably your assistant).
Scales should have regular spaces between the steps; such distance has to be around 10 to 13 inches.
If by any reason the scaffold is not high enough to reach the desire height:
Improvisation is Forbidden!
Do not use benches, ladders or other supports on scaffolding already assembled; Do not forget that the maximum height set comes thinking about your safety.
In addition, it is strictly forbidden to remove any safety device or work on scaffolding or trestles with a work platform smaller than 3 feet.
Do not ask people to throw things up to your place once you are up at the top of the Scaffold!
Following these simple but crucial steps; you can make not only the roof painting task, but also you will win experience to do many other projects, and you are going to be a big example of how a job must be done!
References
How to paint ceilings in 10 minutes – YouTube
How to paint a ceiling using a roller. – YouTube
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