Painting and decorating

9.5.4Conditions for painting and decorating

Painting and decorating shall take account of the climatic and building conditions to ensure a suitable finish.

The painting and decoration of external surfaces should not be undertaken where:

  • weather conditions may adversely affect the completed work
  • frost occurs, or is due to occur, before the paint has been applied or has dried
  • surfaces are moist
  • rain is expected before the paint dries.

When decorating internal walls:

  • cold surfaces may cause problems with water-borne paints, even though the air temperature may be above freezing
  • paintwork should not be adversely effected by dust
  • surfaces should be free from condensation before applying paint and coatings; they should not be applied until the moisture has evaporated from the surface.