KEEP FROM FREEZING is printed on most paint manufacturers labels. Yet through the years as a painting contractor I cannot count the garages/sheds that I have been in where valuable paint is exposed to freezing temperatures. Oils, latex, aerosols, glue, joint compound, etc. are to be stored at room temperature all year round.

Is the typical homeowner not aware of this and if not what can be done to aware them to the fact that they are destroying valuable material?

Propylene glycol is one of the materials used in the manufacturing of latex paints. Propylene glycol is the basic ingredient used in anti-freeze for auto and other machinery to keep the block from freezing. However in the form of paint it only helps to a point, and when the temperature hits 32 degrees, paint etc.freezes and is no longer any good.

Educating the homeowner to keep his or her valuable paints etc. out of the cold is not an easy task. Whether they just don’t know, don’t care, or have no where else to put it is troublesome. That being said, there are thousands if not millions of dollars of use able paints etc. being destroyed every year from freezing temperatures.

Disposing of this damaged material is another issue. Some homeowners just throw it in the everyday garbage which in turn damages our environment even more. Educating the consumer on the proper disposal of damaged paints and chemicals is very necessary if we are to preserve our environment. The homeowner as well as contractors should properly dispose of paints and chemicals according to their local municipalities disposal requirements.

Any suggestions on educating consumers on preventing their paints and solvents from freezing would be appreciated.

Rowe’s Painting and Carpentry