The Effects of Lead Paint on Your Home Remodeling Project

Are you thinking about remodeling your Allen home? If your house was built before 1978, you might be surprised to learn that a federal law regarding the removal of lead paint could have an impact on your remodeling plans. As such, it is important for you to understand the dangers of lead paint as well as the laws regulating how it can be moved during a remodeling project.

Building Homes with Lead Paint

Prior to 1978, lead paint was commonly used to paint homes. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that 38 million homes were painted with lead paint before it was officially banned from residential construction. Originally, the ban on lead paint did not have an impact on homeowners who chose to remodel their homes. As of 2010, however, contractors who are performing renovations, repairs and other projects that will disturb the lead-based paint used in homes built before 1978 are required to undergo special training and become certified by the EPA.

Lead Poisoning and other Dangers

For someone who does not know how to properly remove lead paint, the process of remodeling and renovating an area can result in lead-paint dust filling the air. Small children may also ingest the lead paint chips that fall from the wall. If the lead is inhaled or consumed, it can lead to hearing loss, behavior problems and learning disabilities in children. In adults, it can lead to high blood pressure and hypertension. Pregnant women are also at risk for passing the poison on to their unborn children.

Removing Lead Paint Safely

To remove lead paint safely, specific guidelines must be followed. First, you should have your house tested for lead-based paint before you start your project. If you are hiring a contractor to do the job, it is important to note that you still need to have the paint tested. If the contractor offers to give you a discounted price or says it is not necessary to test before starting the job, the contractor is breaking the law.

If your home does have lead-based paint, you will need to hire a professional to properly remove the lead paint. This process involves containing the area with heavy-duty plastic and tape in order to prevent dust and debris from escaping. Heating and cooling system vents must also be sealed off, while floors and furniture need to be covered.

While there is no way to completely eliminate the dust that is produced during the renovation process, steps also need to be taken to reduce the amount of dust that is produced. This includes misting the area with water before sanding or scraping, prying and pulling apart pieces rather than breaking them and scoring the paint before starting the separation process. Sanding, grinding, needle gunning, planning, blasting with power tools, burning and torching the components should all be avoided because they create more dust. If power tools or other similar equipment are used, they should be equipped with a shroud and a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuum attachment.

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