Painting a stairwell can seem like a daunting and perhaps frightening task. After all, how are you going to reach the higher parts of the walls by using a ladder on the stairs? It can also be difficult to maneuver around in a narrow stairwell.
This article aims to provide you with some helpful tips when it comes to easily painting your stairwell so you can get the job done without running into any major issues or injuring yourself.
Spray Paint Ceiling
First, make sure you cover the stairs with a tarp or canvas to protect it from paint spills, drips, and splashes.
If it is possible for you to do so, use the spray painting method for coating the ceiling of the stairwell. Also, make sure to do this step prior to tackling the walls and cutting in since this is the highest area to reach.
If this is not an option for you, you can use a pole extension for a roller and utilize the tips below to coat the ceiling in paint.
Utilize a Special Ladder
Since you can’t really use a traditional ladder that folds out in a stairwell due to unlevel ground, you will need to pick up one that is designed for situations like this.
A ladder such as this sits atop a leveling block that keeps it from sliding around so you can safely paint higher up in narrow spaces such as a stairwell.
Although using the ladder and leveling block properly should keep you safe, it is still smart to have a spotter on hand while using the ladder to avoid any accidents. They can stand at the bottom of the ladder while you roll out the paint and make sure you remain stable.
Cut in First
After you have gotten the ceiling coated in paint, you should cut in as your next step. Cutting in prior to rolling out the paint will prevent you from needing to set the ladder against a wall with wet paint on it, which can ruin the nice job you just did.
It is also smart to use a gooseneck brush. This kind of brush can be easily attached to an extension pole, and it is also flexible, allowing you to effectively get into corners and along edges that are tricky to reach.
Use Roller Pole Extensions
To avoid using a ladder for anything but cutting in, you can use an extension pole for your roller. You might be able to get away with using one that is four to eight feet, but if this is not long enough, you can pick up one that extends from eight to twelve feet.
You should avoid using a pole that extends too far, or you might end up running into the freshly painted ceiling and damaging the paint job. It is also best to use a shorter extension pole for the lower parts of the wall to better apply the paint.
When using your roller to paint the walls of the stairwell, you should work your way from the top of the stairwell to the bottom to avoid leaning your ladder against wet paint.