Top Reasons to Hire a Lead Certified Contractor for Your Fixer Upper
Here in 2022, you might think that lead paint is a problem of the past. And while it’s true that efforts have been made to eliminate the use of lead paint in homes since the 1970s, these materials still linger in many older homes. Indeed, if you recently purchased a home that was built in or before 1978, there’s a good chance it features lead paint. Fortunately, the EPA and HUD requires full disclosure of known information on lead-based paint and related hazards before the sale of most residential properties built before 1978, thanks to the Residential Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (also known as Title X).
Unfortunately, information regarding the presence of lead paint isn’t always known and, therefore, cannot be disclosed to buyers. Therefore, it’s a good idea to assume that your older home contains at least some traces of lead paint. It’s important to inspect and address these concerns as soon as possible, but only with the aid of a lead-safe certified professional. Let’s explore the top reasons to hire a lead certified contractor for your fixer upper.
Lead Paint Poses a Danger to All
Most people have heard that lead paint is a problem, but not everyone is aware of the actual health risks posed by lead paint. Simply put, lead exposure can cause and exacerbate a number of medical conditions, especially in infants and small children. When exposed to lead paint, developing children can suffer permanent brain damage, memory loss, hearing problems, learning disabilities, and other cognitive problems. For adults, lead exposure can lead to increased blood pressure as well as issues in the brain, kidneys, and reproductive systems – lead poisoning symptoms include stomach and joint pain, constipation, headaches, trouble sleeping, irritability, and more.
While the outcomes outlined above vary based on the individual and level of lead exposure, it’s best to remediate any and all traces of lead in your home to eliminate these risks entirely – a lead-certified contractor is trained to do just that via lead encapsulating paint as well as safe lead paint removing equipment and techniques.
DIY Projects Can Release Lead Paint Particles
People buy fixer uppers with the intention of, well, fixing them up. Approaching these renovations the right way can yield a major return on your investment. However, the very act of renovating can release lead paint particles into the air, creating a serious health hazard and throwing a wrench in your plans. This is why it’s vital to have your fixer upper professionally inspected by lead-certified experts before altering an inch of your newly-purchased property. If traces of lead are found, these qualified professionals can then perform the important steps of lead encapsulation or removal so you can safely fix up your home.
Lead-Safe Certification is Necessary for Safe, Effective, Legal Lead Remediation
Once you know that your fixer upper features lead paint, you might wonder what your next steps should be. If you have already hired a contractor to repair, paint, or otherwise renovate your home, they might tell you that they’ll take care of the lead paint for you. Be warned, however, that not just anyone can safely or even legally remediate the presence of lead paint. In fact, contractors that don’t follow proper lead regulations may receive fines as high as $37,500 per violation, per day. When it’s time to tackle lead paint problems, then make sure you only work with an EPA Lead-Safe Certified contractor – these experts will have completed an eight-hour training course (including 2 hours of hands-on experience) and received official certification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Sticking with lead certified contractors will save you time, money, and – most importantly – keep you and your family safe.
Worried About Lead Paint at Your Fixer Upper?
Lead paint might have been outlawed for residential use decades ago, but it lives on in many older homes. Don’t let this harmful substance threaten the health and safety of your family. Fix your place upright by hiring lead-safe certified contractors like Anderson Painting in Raleigh, NC. To learn more about us and all we do, call today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
