Avoid Lead Paint Hazards in Your Home Remodel
If you’re doing a home renovation project on a house built before 1978, you need to watch out for lead paint on your walls, windows, or doors. Deteriorating lead paint can be hazardous to adults and children who swallow or inhale it, particularly for children under six. Home remodeling activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can disturb existing lead-based paint and create hazardous lead dust and chips.
Hiring a Contractor
In 2008, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a rule requiring certification for contractors performing renovation, repair, and painting projects in homes built before 1978. Starting in April 2010, these contractors, including remodelers, painters, and other specialists, must receive training and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
If you are hiring a professional to do work on your pre-1978 home, ask if he or she is trained to perform lead-safe work practices and ask to see a copy of his or her training certificate. Before starting work, renovators must also give homeowners an EPA pamphlet explaining the dangers of lead paint. The EPA requirements do not apply to minor maintenance when less than six square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed inside a house or less than 20 square feet outside. However, window replacement is not considered minor maintenance.
Safety Procedures
If you plan to do your own renovation work on a pre-1978 home, be sure to visit the EPA’s website (www.EPA.gov) to learn about safe lead practices. Basic lead safety procedures include:
- Containing the work area so that dust doesn’t escape. Sturdy plastic should cover floors and seal off doors and vents.
- Minimizing dust by misting areas with water before sanding or scraping. Certain power tools should be equipped with a shroud and a HEPA vacuum attachment.
- Cleaning up with a HEPA vacuum and then wet mopping the area so that no dust, chips, or debris remain, before removing plastic covering.
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Case Remodeling can protect your home from lead paint hazards during your home remodel.
Our individually owned and operated franchisees ask the right questions, keep your home as clean as possible during remodeling, and guarantee their remodels. One of our offices was recently named Professional Remodeler magazine’s 2010 Remodeler of the Year. Isn’t that the kind of company you want to work with? Find a home remodeling company near you now!
