HEPA Vacuum Rental?
I’m looking to clean up my apartment after some construction was done. Building is from the 1920s and likely there’s lead dust contamination here (owner played shenanigans with a ‘bogus’ lead test pre-construction). There is no doubt lead dust and the owner isn’t going to deal with it (no kids or pregnant women here). I…
I’m looking to clean up my apartment after some construction was done. Building is from the 1920s and likely there’s lead dust contamination here (owner played shenanigans with a ‘bogus’ lead test pre-construction). There is no doubt lead dust and the owner isn’t going to deal with it (no kids or pregnant women here). I cannot afford to hire a professional cleaning service, but I would like to rent a HEPA vacuum that is approved for lead dust. I’m going to try to follow EPA guidelines, wipe down all surfaces with cleaner, vacuum from ceilings towards floors, then mop floors with three bucket system.
Where do I rent a HEPA vac in Brooklyn (I’m in Clinton Hill)?
Cottontop, do you have the name and address of the place where you bought the HEPA vacuum? Much appreciated!
Mopar, many apartments probably have lead paint, but unless you are sanding it, or there is rubbing or chipping, it’s likely not a problem. I dont know what OP’s particular situation is, but I did some paint removal and was very careful to get rid of all of the possible lead-paint dust right away so that it wouldn’t travel all over the house. I also had/have plaster dust but that’s just annoying, not a health hazard.
http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/lead/leadbroc.htm
I bought a great little HEPA vacuum at an asbestos remediation supply house in greenpoint for $400. Great little vac, we use it for everything.
So then where can you rent a real HEPA vacuum? $600 is a lot.
Also, if the above is true, then every apartment I’ve ever lived in has lead dust all over the place. At my last coop, they were fixing leaks and creating plaster dust every day.
I’d like to add that no matter which kind of vacuum etc you choose for getting rid of most of the dust, you should get some microfiber towels (I got a bunch from solventfreepaint.com) and dust everything with a damp microfiber cloth. Then go back over everything a week or so later after any remaining dust has settled. Make sure you get the tops of door trim, tops of shelves, etc.
You are better off buying a HEPA vaccuum. they run anywhere from $600 and up. Wouldn’t be a bad idea finding a good used one from a lead abatement contractor who got out of the business.
Lead dust is super dangerous, more dangerous than the chips of paint. Most contractors do not use proper methods for demo, cleanup, sanding etc. I would advise people on this forum who use contractors ( especially the cheap, fast good ones– do they exist ? ) if they know how to work with lead paint. I guarantee you most do not, yet they are working all over Brooklyn and putting people in harms way with their methods.
I’ve used my shop vac for this kind of thing with HEPA filter, and vacuum bag. Plus I wear a lead paint/asbestos level respirator, cover my hair, wash all clothes worn immediately after, etc, and shower right away. Depending on the way your apt is configured, it might be possible to get an extension for the hose on your vac and have the vac itself outside so that the exhaust isn’t blowing the paint dust around inside.
Another option, depending on how much dust there is, is to get the dust wet/damp and clean it up with wet rags/towels/paper towels, which would then be thrown away. That might be simpler and stir up less dust. The respirator & protective clothing & washing would have to be done still.
I doubt there’s more lead in the subway than the sanding that was done in my apartment.
Furthermore, I do not live in the ‘A’ train tunnel, whatever brief exposure from a subway tunnel can’t compare to sleeping in a bedroom with lead dust covering everything…eating in a kitchen with lead dust….using a bathroom with lead dust…for year, decades, to come. This is long term exposure.