Lead paint

[Anonymous]

We are renovating and knocked down a few walls in a 1960s rancher. I'm sure there was lead paint given the year in which the house was built. How do we go about removing the lead dust which is now throughout the house, I'm sure. I believe there's a special vacuum for it but how do we know if we've successfully removed all lead paint?

[Anonymous]

Hire a specialist. This is above your pay grade.

[Anonymous]

OP again. We'll probably do this. My concern is that what if we remediate and there's no lead dust anymore but future buyers will be scared off by the lead paint found by the inspector (he has to file his report).

[Anonymous]

Wet mopping is better than vacuuming. Use a swiffer like product since it's disposable. Otherwise you're just moving the dust around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. We'll probably do this. My concern is that what if we remediate and there's no lead dust anymore but future buyers will be scared off by the lead paint found by the inspector (he has to file his report).

It is what it is. Don't you have to disclose anyway?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. We'll probably do this. My concern is that what if we remediate and there's no lead dust anymore but future buyers will be scared off by the lead paint found by the inspector (he has to file his report).

It's not that the inspector has to file a report, it's that you have to disclose it when you sell, but that should not be your primary concern. You can also document test results (done by a professional) that show you've dealt with it.

[Anonymous]

If you thoroughly clean it there shouldn't be ongoing issues. At least if everything is painted well - no chipping paint, etc. did you replace the windows? Did he find lead in window trim? That would be only remaining concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wet mopping is better than vacuuming. Use a swiffer like product since it's disposable. Otherwise you're just moving the dust around.

Yes - wipe down with damp cloths and wet mop floors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. We'll probably do this. My concern is that what if we remediate and there's no lead dust anymore but future buyers will be scared off by the lead paint found by the inspector (he has to file his report).

It is what it is. Don't you have to disclose anyway?

OP again. Yes, you're right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wet mopping is better than vacuuming. Use a swiffer like product since it's disposable. Otherwise you're just moving the dust around.

Yes - wipe down with damp cloths and wet mop floors.

Thanks. Our problem is that the walkout basement is carpeted.

[Anonymous]

Wait till it is done and hire a carpet cleaner. Otherwise get a shop vac with a hepa filter and change the filter frequently. Then, mop and clean. You can also buy air cleaners for $50 at Target, Walmart that have washable filters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wet mopping is better than vacuuming. Use a swiffer like product since it's disposable. Otherwise you're just moving the dust around.

Yes - wipe down with damp cloths and wet mop floors.

Thanks. Our problem is that the walkout basement is carpeted.

You'll have to replace the carpet - there's no getting lead dust out of there.

But let's back up here. First of all, do you have kids? If so, how old are they?

Second, I would not necessarily assume that a 60's house has a lot of lead paint. It wasn't outlawed until the late 70s, but it had fallen out of favor long before then. That being said, you should definitely find out for sure.

Third, its unclear from your post whether or not the work has already been done? What stage in the renovation are you in now? If you haven't started yet (seems unlikely from what you said), you can bring in a company that has a machine that read through all the layers of paint so you know what you are working with before you start. They can also test for dust. This cost me about $250-$300 a couple of years ago. Is this happening only in part of the house that can be sealed off (i.e. a basement with a separate entrance)?

If you update with further details, we can provide better information.

[Anonymous]

Yikes. This is the kind of thing that requires a plan and equipment before your start getting dust everywhere. You can work to contain the dust before it spreads, but once it's everywhere, you're kind of screwed in getting it all gone or eliminating the possibility of breathing it in.

Miele makes a vacuum that has a filter designed to safely suck up lead dust. It's about $1K. We use it regularly as the main vacuum in our old home, which was known lead paint on the window frames. That said, we don't disturb dust with construction, this is just for the minuscule amounts that might enter the atmosphere by opening a window or something like that.

Wet mopping is best for hard surfaces.

If it's in the fabrics, you should probably just toss them. Especially if you have little kids. You should take your children for a blood lead test in 6 months to see if their levels are elevated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. We'll probably do this. My concern is that what if we remediate and there's no lead dust anymore but future buyers will be scared off by the lead paint found by the inspector (he has to file his report).

I wouldn't be concerned about that. Anyone looking at pre 1978 houses should assume they have lead based paint.