Lead Paint Removal
Hi Brownstoners, I’m curious to know how many of you guys handled the lead paint removal portion of a renno, particularly those of you that had renno done while living in your home. Your insight/advice on this is greatly appreciated.
Hi Brownstoners,
I’m curious to know how many of you guys handled the lead paint removal portion of a renno, particularly those of you that had renno done while living in your home. Your insight/advice on this is greatly appreciated.
contractors often don’t do what you ask them to or don’t do it to the letter. They may wait till you leave or blame it on a sub, but once the damage is done, you can’t undo it. Of course people will say no good contractor would improperly handle lead paint or go against your wishes, but lots of contractors don’t believe it’s a big deal because they haven’t been taking precautions for years or there is a budget issue. Definitely don’t have your baby living there during the procedure, or you yourself if you are nursing.
On the other hand, I don’t know what good “testing for lead” would do post project. If there is dust, you should treat it as though it contains lead dust, but all of this should be cleaned up at the end of the project so not sure what you’re testing for. Lead-painted surfaces that are not peeling, flaking, or being abraded will not be a problem unless the baby chews them.
Encapsulation is safer than removal if possible. The single most important thing for safe lead paint removal is INTELLIGENCE and EDUCATION. The weakest link in every reno team is the one idiot who’ll decide to vigorously “remove” it and send it flying everywhere no matter what you say. I set my hair on fire about removing lead-flaking rotting wood porch ceiling, smart contractor okay’d all sorts of careful measures,, and I go out for ONE ERRAND and come back to find the one dumb bunny on the team ripping it out with his teeth practically, and assuring me he will “sweep it up.” Place looked like it’d snowed, flakes ground underfoot everywhere. Contractor sacked the guy, knew he got off easy; if I’d had a small child I would’ve sued. If you can’t watch your guys like a hawk or afford reasonably smart guys, do it yourself, it’s not hard to find out how; wet dust safer than dry dust isn’t rocket science.
I am no expert, but it’s my impression that containing the lead is safer than trying to remove it — especially in terms of kids.
Also agree with Minard and going4broke are saying.
Dust will get everywhere.
Yes, seconding what OP and Minard is saying about children cannot live there while the work is done. No matter how cautious you are, there will be dust everywhere. It’s just the nature of construction. And of course when it is all over, then massive multiple cleanups using damp cloths, etc., before the baby moves back in.
1. test for lead after cleaning but before bringing your kid back. Be prepared for delays in getting the place clean enough to bring your kid back
2. seriously consider moving out altogether (even furniture) while the work is done. This has 2 advantages. The first is that it will make it easier (faster & less costly) for workers to do their job (not having to work around you) so may ultimately save you money. The second is that dust (lead dust) is very hard to control in any renovation esp in an old house and it will migrate to your living space. Once there, it is hard to remove while you are living there. There are plenty of parents who wish they had done this in retrospect (finishing their renovation with elevated lead levels in their small children).
Thanks all! Minard i agree, my plan is to have my daughter stay with her grand parents while we get the job done.
don’t have children living in the house when you are doing lead removal. Send them to their grandparents if need be.
A new EPA rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices went in to effect a year ago (4/22/10) –
http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
If you’re talking about DIY, rh’s comments make sense. I’d add a suggestion to use TSP for the clean up. If you’re hiring contractors you’re now supposed to use an EPA certified firm.