Thursday, January 7, 2010

Lead paint




Many homeowners don't know that the EPA has established new regulations with regards to the removal of lead paint. Starting in April 2010, these new rules will affect homeowners with homes built anytime pre-19878.

The EPA rules about removal are pretty strict and will have to be followed by anyone working in the home including builders, painters, plumbers and electricians. Any renovation or repair work is going to be affected.

Homeowners will need to be restricted from the area, and contractors need to take extra precautions for performing the work, cleaning up, and verifying the work.

The home improvement industry is getting ready by attending classes, getting certified in government approved programs and taking on extra liability insurance for jobs completed. Extra care needs to be taken to remove and properly dispose of the paint.

One HomeSavvi member asked a question in our Forums about why the cost for a paint job seems so high. In any paint job, the labor for removal, disposal, preparation and application is the expense that drives up the cost.
- next year, the costs will go up, but we'll be more assured of healthy homes especially for children and pregnant women.

I'd say it's a cost worth paying!