Remodeling a House with Lead Paint
Are you interested in buying and remodeling a home built before 1978? Then you should be aware of the fact that many homes built before that time used lead-based paint. Lead from paint, chips, and dust can pose serious health risks for people in the home, so if you’re planning on renovating a home, you need to be aware of the safest ways to do it.
If you’re interested in buying and renovating a house in MD, VA, or DC, call Coakley Realty today at 301-340-8700!
Precautions for Remodeling a House with Lead Paint
If you’re not careful, certain types of renovations can release lead into the air and other areas of your home. That’s why there are certain precautions you need to take before remodeling a house with lead paint, including:
- Having the area tested for lead paint.
- Not using a belt-sander, propane torch, heat gun, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper to remove lead-based paint because these actions create a large amount of lead dust and fumes. That lead dust can remain in your home for a long time after the work has been completed.
- Temporarily moving your family—especially if there are children or pregnant women—out of the house while work is being done. It isn’t safe for them to return until your home has been properly cleaned. If you can’t relocate your family, completely seal off any areas where construction is being done.
- Reducing lead hazards in your home by hiring a certified abatement contractor.
If you have already completed renovations in a home built before 1978 and you did not test for lead-based paint, it’s possible that your remodel has released lead dust into the air. Get young children tested for lead poisoning immediately and then contact 1-800-424-LEAD (The National Lead Information Center) for more information.
In the meantime, make sure to thoroughly clean all window frames, window sills, floors, and other surfaces where lead dust or paint chips could have accumulated to help reduce the risk of poisoning.
Buying an Older Home
Many people in our area are interested in buying an older home and renovating it—this can be a very cost-effective option. However, it’s very important to fully understand what you’re getting yourself into. The experts at Coakley Realty know what to look for when buying an older home, and we can help you ensure your new home is safe and that you know everything there is to know about your house.
If you want to look at some older homes in our area, give us a call. We can help you find the perfect house to buy and renovate. Contact us online or by phone (301-340-8700) to make an appointment!
