Forum Archive

Big topic, lots of q’s. Surprised more hasn’t been posted. It seems safe to assume that most / all old townhouses in Bklyn and Manhattan will have a few old layers of lead-based paint, yet it doesn’t seem to be a big concern to owners. I understand if you just keep painting over it and maintain it, its pretty safe but since everyone in this forum is renovating, isn’t it more of an issue for all of us? Is it something that’s pretty manageable?

More specifically, I would appreciate any thoughts on the following.

1. Good lead risk inspector / remediator & rough cost guideline? Is it incredibly expensive. Is ignorance bliss?

2. Is it automatically unsafe to strip leaded-paint off doors, molding, radiators etc or knock down plaster covered with some leaded paint? If a stripped door is then sealed with stain & finished with polyurethane, does the door still present a risk (ie, could the lead have gotten embedded in the wood and come out thru the finish)?

3. Re the lead-bearing dust created by renovation. Is it really a lot? Can it be dealt with relatively easily (vacuum, wetmop, give it some time etc)?

4. Is the soil in your backyard usually infected? Is it unsafe to eat vegetable grown in a backyard?

5. Is lead in their homes a big issue for the many young families in brownstone Brooklyn? I know the whole topic is stressing me out.