Exposing lead paint during renovations - what needs to b e done?

[Anonymous]

We are planning on having a major renovation - taking down some walls, removing windows etc. in our mid 1930's home.

What should we expect from a contractor given the new EPA requirments? What does it look like when a contractor is doing work in a house that has lead paint?

Will they have special equipment? Require us to get out of the house? Something else? Please share your experiences.

[Anonymous]

I haven't had this done, but did look into lead-safe work practices. I would imagine they (and you) would want you out. They're supposed to seal up the area they're working in and clean up all of the lead dust, which wouldn't make sense for them to do every day while removing stuff and sanding is going on. They should be wearing masks or something to keep from inhaling lead dust.

[Anonymous]

I'm assuming you're not planning on living there? Areas where work is being done will have to be sealed off and contractors working in the space will be wearing protective masks. You should expect it to cost more. I can't say how much more.

[Anonymous]

I meant living there while work is going on.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on your contractor. "Lead safe," despite the regulations, seems to mean different things to different people. Some do nothing different, some put up some plastic sheeting but then leave it unzipped, some just clean up a bit before they leave, and some actually spend a full day or more doing the lead safe set up.

Do you have young kids, and will you be living there? If so, I'd look for someone who - when asked very pointed questions - tells you convincingly that they do the latter.

When it is all day, get a lead dust test done for your peace of mind.

[Anonymous]

When they renovated my parents' house, they build air locks around the doors of the rooms they were working on, to prevent the dust from getting out.

[Anonymous]

All licensed contractors in DC have to have EPA lead certification. If they disrupt a certain amount of painted wall then they have to follow lead safe procedures like: cordoning off the space with plastic walls, having sticky paper outside to attract dust off shoes, and finally wiping down all walls with wet wipes.

We lived in our house through a major reno of our 30s house that involved all new windows, and taking down several walls/trim, etc. Our contractors were very serious about this (and they have to provide you with written info about lead safety too) and our kids thankfully tested at 0%.

[Anonymous]

16:27 meant to say that we had the kids tested after the work was completed....