Paint in the UK

[SennieSlave]

Hi, I'm due to have my bathroom refurbished next week. I don't have a choice, otherwise I'd put it off - like I have with all other decoration in my home.

I'm in a small, one floor home - so am worried about the paint fumes. I've told the workmen that I will be getting my own paint to use, as they don't use any special low voc paints. But I'm having trouble finding any. Obviously it needs to be a special bathroom paint, or it will peel off (have had that problem before).

I've looked at Dulux, which says it's VOC is minimal but I have no idea really. I've also seen organic paints, which are hugely expensive, and ordering online may not get it here in time - so I'd prefer to be able to go to a store and buy it.

Is there anyone from the UK, who has used low VOC paint and can point me in the right direction please? I'm starting to get worried. I know I can have the windows open to ventilate but the storms here, at the moment, are a real problem. Hopefully, on the day, I'll be able to open all windows, without them blowing away. Also the glue and sealant they will be using to put the flooring down, is a huge worry for me but I have no clue what to do about that. I don't have anywhere else for my parrot to go and stay.

Thanks in advance.

 

[getwozzy]

Well, I don't have any paint suggestions for you since I'm in the US, but as far as keeping the fumes away from your fids I would put them in your bedroom, crack the window for some fresh air, close the door and put a thick towel/blanket on the floor so the air can't flow into the room.

The only other option I can think of is to maybe board them for the day.

 

[SennieSlave]

Thank you.
He'll be in the living room, as that's furthest away from the bathroom. I've bought a draft excluder to put under the door.
I'm just hoping the workmen keep the door shut, when they're working and keep the window open. I'll have to keep checking on them.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to have the window open of the room that my Sennie is in, as it's freezing here right now and blowing gale force winds. I'll just let the workmen freeze instead.

 

[getwozzy]

Ha! Lol yeah- let THEM freeze!!

Definitely keep an eye on them and that door, hopefully they won't be going in and out- and the workers should be wearing breathing masks because the fumes from flooring glue is NOT good my husband is a general contractor and has done laminate flooring many times and I CANNOT stand even being within sniffing distance.

 

[Mayden]

Dulux is what we use, it is low VOC (most of the types, double check with the actual type of paint youre getting though) and ensure the place is ventilated. If you can keep them out of that room being decorated throughout the day, windows open, etc. Then they SHOULD be fine.

Since it's only your bathroom, I doubt you'll have much issue. Just keep the bathroom window open for the next 24 hours (I know the storms are really bad at the moment!) but if you've got it open for most of the day, then just a crack the rest of the time, being holed up in your bedroom should suffice

 

[lucy1]

Two years ago I went away for a week and got my Dad to come over and house and pet sit for me (before I got my macaw, Dad is somewhat wary of the beak!). Because he's a fab Dad, he painted my living room for me while I was gone as a surprise to cover up some damage my old Amazon had done. I got home just as he was doing the finishing touches - windows closed and the Amazons cage wheeled to the middle of the room so he could get to the wall behind them!!

He used regular Dulux emulsion paint and there was barely any smell in the room anyway. He had done 2 coats and taken his time - my Amazons had been in the room with wet paint for 5 days. My Orange Wing has quite bad breathing issues from previous ill health and she had no ill effects whatsoever.

I think the modern emulsions are very low VOC anyway. Gloss paint would be a different matter, I'm not sure about bathroom paint but don't think it is that different to regular emulsion. I have no idea about the floor glue, but as long as your fid is separated by a couple of rooms and a some ventilation (as Mayden said, leave the bathroom window open) I can't see any problems.

 

[SennieSlave]

Thank you both. Dulux it is then. I was going to get the special bathroom pain but it has some sort of mould prevention stuff in it, so am not too sure. May just get the regular Dulux and see what happens. xx

 

[broxi3781]

Mention that the living room door needs to be kept closed at all times as your pet scorpion has escaped and is definitely in that room. Or get a recording of a barking dog and say - whatever you do --- do not open the living room door and let the Rottweiler out.

 

[SennieSlave]

Ha, broxi - I might just try that.