Use an extension pole for walls and ceilings to reduce fatigue and splatter

Thread an extension pole (2-4 feet for walls, 4-8 feet for ceilings) into the threaded socket on your roller frame. The pole lets you roll walls from floor to ceiling in one continuous stroke without climbing a ladder and without the awkward overhead reaching that causes drips to run down your arm and roller handle.

Why It Works

An extension pole keeps you at a comfortable distance from the wall, which naturally produces more even pressure and straighter strokes. For ceilings, it eliminates the need to stand directly under the roller where drips fall on your face, hair, and floor. The leverage from a pole reduces arm fatigue, so you maintain consistent technique throughout the room instead of degrading as your shoulder tires. Standing on the floor instead of a ladder also means you can reposition quickly and avoid the mess of climbing up and down with a loaded roller.

Tips

• Most professional painters use a 4-foot extension pole for walls and a 6-8 foot telescoping pole for ceilings as standard practice
• Adjustable telescoping poles ($10-20) are more versatile than fixed-length poles
• Ensure the pole locks firmly -- a loose pole wobbles and causes uneven pressure
• For ceilings, roll parallel to the shorter wall dimension so each pass covers the width in one stroke
• The pole thread is a universal size; any standard roller frame threads onto any standard extension pole
• You can also attach an angled brush holder to an extension pole for cutting in ceilings without a ladder
• Start each stroke by placing the roller on the wall before it reaches the ceiling line to avoid pressing paint onto the ceiling at the top of your stroke
• Common mistake: using a pole that is too short, which forces you to stretch and angle the roller awkwardly -- this creates uneven pressure and missed spots