Paint fumes

[LucyP]

Hope this is in the right place!

I’m in a first floor flat, and the neighbours downstairs are painting their garden decking outside the window of the room where Dottie is, our 6 year old sow with heart and breathing issues. I guess I need to keep the window closed to be safe, but wondering for how long? They put the first coat down in the last couple of hours. It’s warm here so should dry quickly. I can’t ask the neighbours what type of paint it is (due to a current difficult situation with them unrelated to this, long story!) but I think wooden decking paint is going to be a strong one? Any ideas? It’s a pain as it’s 23.5 degrees indoors which isn’t bad for the last fortnight in London but this is exactly the time I’d normally open it for some cool.

Google tells me to leave all windows closed for at least 72 hours but I’m not sure if that’s over the top?

I can’t put Dottie in another room during the night but can move her to elsewhere in the day time.

Many thanks

 

[Truffolo]

I don't know much about paint. Google could be right, thinking of work and going in in the morning to a painty office and how the smell fades. I hope things work out OK and you and Dottie are ok

 

[LucyP]

Thank you! I think I better leave windows closed for tonight at least. It’s nearly 24 in here but I can get Dottie an ice block.

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

We had a construction site in the street below my windows a few weeks ago. After the worst heat wave was over, they came back to put the markings on the pavement again.
And yes, 72 h sounds about right.
As long as you still smell the pain, you know not to open the windows. But since the piggies have a much better sense of smell, they are bound to still smell the paint when we don't smell it any more.

I was lucky because it rained once during the night. That eased the fumes a bit while the pavement was wet. I was also in need of getting cooler air inside.
Exactely the time when you need paint fumes.

 

[LucyP]

Thank you for this advice, it has been a warm and poor sleep night without the window open, Dottie seems fine though. I haven’t actually smelt any fumes yet but good point that she would.

I can put her in another room for a few hours this morning but will need to bring her back when it gets warm (the other room is hotter than this once the sun comes out on full so she’s been splitting her days between rooms).

Their decking is slightly offset from the windows so we’re not directly above it but close enough. It is small area of decking but not ideal at all. I don’t blame them as this is a good time to do it from their point of view but difficult for us.

Many thanks

 

[Roselina]

I think you’re doing the right thing - moving Dottie while you can and keeping windows closed while the neighbours are painting, and for a few days after they have finished.
Good luck
We do everything for our piggies don’t we ?