Once discovered, lead paint removal is vital in safeguarding the health and safety of families and other household members. When lead-based paint becomes exposed, it is a particularly dangerous hazard that can lead to severe health consequences, particularly for young children and pregnant women. For those who live in or rent an older home in Maine or New Hampshire, it’s important to be aware of the potential for lead hazards in the home and, if required, how to safely manage the hazards to reduce health risks associated with lead exposure.
Lead-based paint poses significant health risks due to its potential to cause brain and organ damage, learning disabilities, and behavioral issues. Lead paint awareness in homes is important for maintaining a healthy home environment. Identifying lead-based paint in your house can mitigate potential health risks associated with lead exposure. By recognizing the presence of lead-based paint, homeowners can take the necessary steps to contain and remove it, thereby reducing the risk of lead poisoning and promoting a safer living space.Â
Why is Lead Paint in Older Homes?
Lead-based paints have been used for centuries, and even when health concerns over lead-based products started to grow in the early 20th century, lead-based paints were not banned in the US until 1978. It’s possible, then, if your home was built before 1978, that it could contain lead paint. The older your home is, the more likely it is to contain lead-based paint. In fact, between 1940 and 1960, lead-based paint was used in two out of every three homes built. Before 1940, the EPA estimated that nearly 90% of all homes contain lead-based paint.Â
For those who live in older houses, if the lead-based paint on the house’s walls is not deteriorating, is intact and in good shape, and, more importantly, no young children are present or regularly visiting, you may leave it as is. However, if you have discovered the presence of lead paint in the home and leave it as is, it must be disclosed if you decide to sell your property.
To be certain, lead-based paint is at its most dangerous when it begins to deteriorate. The familiar cracking, peeling, and thick chips of paint, as it dries and disintegrates off the walls, can create toxic lead dust clouds that move throughout your home. At a minimum, testing can help identify the presence of lead-based paint. You can purchase an at-home test kit from a local hardware store to determine if a surface contains lead-based paint. If the test indicates the presence of lead, it’s time to take action and decide on the best removal method.Â
What to Do If You Think You Have Lead In Your House
Therefore, lead paint removal is subject to laws and regulations and is not a DIY project. By law, it cannot be removed haphazardly through abrasive blasting or torching, and machine sanding and power washing require specialized attachments to the equipment. Removal should be left to professionals, those EPA-certified in lead paint removal of residential and commercial spaces. They will do the job safely and develop the best abatement strategy. In Maine, contractors working on homes and daycares built before 1978 must be EPA-certified to ensure safe and legal lead removal. EPA certification is necessary to determine the best removal method for each property and to guarantee a safe working environment.
Though lead paint can be removed in several ways, one popular option is to contain it by painting over the walls with a specialized liquid material known as an encapsulant. The EPA approves encapsulating lead paint as a safe way to remediate lead paint hazards. Regular household paint is not a suitable substitute for encapsulants, however, as it does not provide adequate protection. Instead, the encapsulation must be undertaken with an epoxy, polymer, or cement-type liquid material, and an EPA-certified professional must apply it.
A prime method of lead paint removal preferred by EPA-certified contractors is through wet scraping. This involves spraying lead-painted surfaces with water to keep them wet while scraping off and containing all remaining lead residue from the walls, sills, and other surfaces. The wet surface prevents dust and debris from contaminating the workspace, making it a safe but labor-intensive approach to lead removal.
If you believe your home may be contaminated by lead or has tested positive for lead, Octagon Cleaning and Restoration Services can help you safeguard it. We support residents by providing expert guidance on lead detection, removal and fostering healthier living spaces. Our EPA lead-safe certified team has the knowledge and expertise to identify potential lead hazards and implement protocols to safely restore a healthy environment in your workspace or living space. To learn more about our services, call for a free estimate.Â
