Giving a fresh coat of paint to just about any commercial building and establishment gives it the proper recognition it deserves. More than this, painting your commercial building can boost foot traffic and even maintain or increase its property value.
The thing with painting these commercial properties is that they can’t always be painted with a ladder in tow. Whether the building is too high up or the area to be painted is quite complex, there is a number of reasons why using ladders may not always be possible.
If you are having the same dilemma, we’re here to give you the down low on how painting these high places is possible. Our team of professionals makes sure to guide you through what they experience on a regular basis.
How Commercial Construction Experts Do It Right
When it comes to painting buildings and establishments, there is other equipment that comes into play more than ladders. Below are some of the tools and machines that some of our seasoned professionals use for our projects.
Using Scaffolding
Scaffolding is a type of framework that is built temporarily outside of a building. This is usually fashioned using metal poles and wooden planks, complete with screws and platforms, to provide support for workers who need to work at a certain height.
Besides painting, scaffolds are also used by other construction professionals to either repair, construct, or renovate structures of the commercial establishment.
Although these can be useful in a variety of situations and locations, as they can vary from one setup to another, it can take quite some time to erect scaffolding.
Trestles and Staging
Trestles are a type of scaffolding but are much easier to set up. These are built on rigid frames and they have the capacity to support a variety of things, including tables and staging boards. Besides this, trestles are a game-changer since these come in either fixed, foldable, or adjustable forms.
Since it can support a platform, painters and construction workers can safely use these to stand on safely and do the work required of them.
Providing Rope Access
Another strategic approach that many commercial companies in the field use are rope access. This is a great alternative for when your commercial establishment only needs a quick and efficient yet safe method of painting your building.
This particular method is best for skilled workers who have properly assessed the area they’re working on. Rope access needs to have the proper mounting points as well in order for it to accommodate painting on higher grounds.
Opting for Mobile Elevated Work Platforms
Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) or aerial lifts are types of mechanical devices that are used primarily to move people across various positions and locations they are working on for a temporary period. These are also known as elevating work platforms and these include cherry pickers or scissor lifts.
Aerial lifts come in handy when painting exteriors at a certain height. These are usually parked on the base of the commercial establishment in question since these machines are quite large in size.
Extension Poles
While extension poles aren’t necessarily platforms or lifts you can stand on, these are actually devices that you can use to reach places that are higher up. As its name implies, this lets you give paint rollers, paintbrushes, or even paint sprayers a much-needed boost. These extension poles are a godsend for when you’re painting high surfaces or tall ceilings in your building more efficiently.
What You Need to Paint High Areas
Now that you know what the alternatives are to ladders when it comes to reaching and painting high places, learn how to prepare for painting the said part of your commercial establishment. Here is a quick overview of what our commercial construction professionals do as well.
Make the Initial Preparation
Painting commercial establishments and buildings are much more complex to handle than residential properties, which is why there is more to prepare when it comes to it.
You need to properly know the layout and approach you’re going to take, as well as find the right setup for the job, such as whether you’re going to use scaffolds or trestles. Once you have this in place, you need to ensure that you have all the materials together and that all of the space you’re painting is clean and free of any debris.
Get the Right Materials
Speaking of the right materials, you need to have the proper equipment on hand. This means that it should be equipped to reach into high spaces. Some of the things you might need include extension poles that screw into your angle-cut brush. A paint roller and the amount of paint you need to use.
Other things you should include on your list include a small bucket of the tray where you’ll put the paint, painter’s tape, primer, drop clothes, spackling paste, and a putty knife.
Fill Up the Spots in the Wall
After gathering all of the said things, what you should do next is smoothen the rough patches and holes with the spackling paste and putty knife. This allows you to get a smoother application.
Prime the Walls
Priming the walls may be an additional or optional step, but going the extra mile will ensure that the walls of your commercial spaces are smooth enough for the paint to adhere to them.
This is only necessary, however, only if the wall you’re planning to paint is damaged, stained, or has a glossy or porous surface.
Start Painting
After doing all of the steps above, it’s time to start painting. Using your tray or bucket as well as your paint roller or angle brush, paint the commercial surface until it is even. Be careful not to pack on too much paint in one go.
When It’s time to Call a Professional
Painting commercial spaces can be a bit complex and overwhelming, especially for property owners who don’t know the first thing about this. If this is the case, calling a team of professionals to help you out is the best way to go.
Our company has had years of experience in handling and painting commercial properties, making us the right choice to help you out with this concern. The team’s expertise in the field makes us knowledgeable in navigating and painting high places even without ladders, all the while observing the highest standards of safety.
The Bottom Line
There are a number of ways you can paint high places without using a ladder. Now that you know how you can finally do so yourself. If you need help from professionals, feel free to get in touch with our team today.
