Lead Paint Abatment in Washington DC

Finding the right Washington DC lead paint abatement contractor doesn’t have to be a pain. In this post will explain what abatement is and how to best deal with it.

To start with, what precisely is lead paint abatement?

Abatement is the method of removing or reducing the quantity of lead paint in a structure or home. If you believe that your home has lead paint, you should have it tested right away. This paint has been proven dangerous to adults and to particularly dangerous to kids. If the tests come back positive, you’ll want to have the paint removed as quickly as possible . However [*COMMA] this isn’t a job for a weekend warrior or an amateur. If lead paint abatement is done improperly, the hazards may very well be increased. It is always best to contact a trained pro and have them do the work for you.

Lead paint was deemed dangerous to the health and was officially banned in 1978, but many old homes and structures still have this paint on the walls, windows, and doors.
Before any work can begin, you should contact your local health office for local regulations regarding Washington DC lead paint abatement.

Even though abatement can be quite dear, there are government programs that help qualified householders cover the expenses of the work. Check with your state or town to work out if programs are offered in your area and what’s needed to qualify for them.

Before Work begins

*Have all house members, particularly youngsters, checked for lead poisoning.
*Move the kids and pregnant girls to another location until all of the work is finished.

*Post warning signs at all entrances so that neighbors know what kind of work is being done.

*Use plastic drop cloths to cover all floors.
*Make certain that nobody enters the work area without proper protective gear.

Once you have made your call, your lead paint abatement professional will explain the method to you. The key for any expert is to select the method of abatement that may create the least amount dust. Many house owners basically select to have some interior reworking done at the same time, but this can wait until all of the paint is gone.

Common Lead abatement strategies
Paint Removal

While it could be the handiest way to remove lead paint, it can also create a fair deal of lead dust, fumes, and dangerous mists. The contractor must first determine just how much lead paint is in the home.

Enclosure
It is composed of simply covering the wall with gypsum board. But the enclosure methodology only works on massive, flat surfaces ; and, while it’s the most cost-effective, it may affect the second-hand value of the home.

Replacement
It is commonly used on windows and doors.

Encapsulation

This is the least expensive strategy of abatement. It is composed of simply covering lead paint with a special coating.
In the end, if you have lead paint in your home, it needs your immediate attention. So check with health dept concerning Washington DC lead paint abatement. As we mentioned, they even give you with a listing of certified lead abatement contractors. Select one which has a good reputation and can quote you a fair cost.

New Lead Paint Law Coming in April 2010

Image via Wikipedia

 

Starting in April 2010, federal law will require that contractors be trained to protect pregnant women and children from high levels of lead. Signed into law in March of this 2008, the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program is the most important new effort to fight childhood lead poisoning in a decade the EPA  says.

The law requires contractors and maintenance personnel to be certified, and their employees trained. Also they must follow protective lead-safe work procedures when renovating, repairing or painting activities will disturb more than 6 sq ft of lead paint in a room or where twenty sq ft of lead paint  is disrupted on the outside.

Workers are required to hang warning signs, to keep occupants from work areas, prevent dust & debris from escaping, cleanup thoroughly and verify that the cleanup was performed correctly.
Two out of every three homes and fifty percent of the day care centers and schools built prior to the 60’s have some lead paint. These new regulations are for those constructed prior to 1978, the year the lead paint ban went into effect, where kids under the 6 reside or where pregnant women live.

Exposure to lead-based dust is the most likely way kids get lead poisoning, “which can cause serious behavior and learning problems in children and health problems in adults” says the EPA.
By requiring certification, we will be able to identify those contractors who are trained in lead-safe work practices. 

This will no doubt ably raise the cost of home remodeling due to the extra cost from licensing & training. Contractors will also have higher material & labor cost in order to contain and cleanup any dust created from the remodeling process. They will have no choice but to pass the extra cost to the homeowner.

For more information visit  www.epa.gov/lead, or phone the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-5323.