Lead Safety When Remodeling
There are many things you think about when you decide to remodel your Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Irvine, or other South Orange County California home. Should we remodel the bathroom first or the kitchen? Should we do a room addition or a complete home remodel? How do we choose the right colors? Marble, granite, or Corian counter tops? But did it occur to you to consider lead safety when remodeling your home? Disturbing areas with lead requires someone qualified to handle that task.
Effective April 22, 2010, for dwellings constructed prior to 1979 (1978 and older), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires renovators to inform the owner-occupant that the dwelling may contain unhealthful levels of lead in paint or surface coatings when:
Interior work disturbs 6 square feet or more of painted or surface coatings in any room.Exterior work disturbs 20 square feet or more of painted or surface coatings.
By law, the renovator must give you the EPA pamphlet, “The Lead Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right,” if the guidelines above are met or exceeded.
Federal standards define unhealthful lead-based paint or surface coatings as “any paint or surface coatings that contain lead equal to or in excess of 1.0 milligram per square centimeter or more than 0.5 percent by weight.”
The health risks of lead are very hazardous to children, pregnant women, adults, and workers. Lead exposure causes permanent brain damage. Children under six are most at risk from small amounts of lead. Among adults, pregnant women are especially at risk from exposure to lead. In children, lead can cause nervous system and kidney damage. It can cause decreased intelligence, attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, speech, language, and behavior problems. In pregnant women, lead is passed from the mother to the fetus. This can cause miscarriages, premature births, brain damage, and low birth weight.
Health effects of lead in adults include high blood pressure, fertility problems in men and women, digestive problems, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, sexual disorders, and muscle and joint pain.
During the last 20 years, special EPA mandated procedures were developed by the Federal Government. These standards promote the safe and proper way to remove painted or surface coatings containing lead. These include, but are not limited to, windows, doors, wall surfaces (painted drywall, gypsum board, plaster, paneling, etc.). This also includes cabinets, baseboards, chair rails, crown moldings, trim around doors and windows, etc. The removal, replacement, and alteration of all windows must conform to these new EPA guidelines. The EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home is a great resource.
The EPA mandated Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) federal regulations require that special attention and procedures be used in the containment of lead-based dust hazards. This includes the removal and disposal of lead-based products, and proper cleaning both during and after the renovation.
DAD’s Construction is an EPA certified and registered Lead Safe Renovator. As a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead-Safe Certified Renovation Firm, DAD’s fulfills the requirements of the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Section 402. Therefore, DAD’s is certified to conduct lead-based paint renovation, repair, and painting activities pursuant to 40 CFR Part 745.89.
When it comes to lead safety and remodeling your home, DAD’s is your choice. We have over 4 decades of experience safely remodeling homes with lead.
Always Hire a Reliable and Dependable Contractor to Remodel your Home
Always work with a trustworthy contractor like DAD’s Construction. We are experts in bathroom, kitchen, and interior remodeling who can manage projects in an efficient manner. DAD’s Construction will do everything to minimize the possibility of change orders. Our team will make sure we have all the necessary information to prepare a proposal that meets your requirements. Rest assured that we will provide you with a detailed, by line-item contract. We will make sure that the contents of this agreement are properly and clearly communicated to you. If you have questions or need updates regarding your project, we will always answer your inquiries.
How Can I Receive More Information on Remodeling my Home?
If you would like more information on enjoying the best bathroom, kitchen, and interior remodeling experience in Orange County, call Dan at (949) 380-0177 or at dan@dadsconstruction.com for a free in home consultation. DAD’s serves all of South Orange County California. This includes Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills, Ladera Ranch, Irvine, San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, Dove Canyon, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Aliso Viejo.
