Getting ready to give an estimate on Victorian home - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Dorman Painting · 02-17-2008, 11:02 AM

Here's the good news, it's in fairly good shape and doesn't have a great deal of peeling. I'm sure once I wash it down and snoop around a bit, I'll find more peeling than I first saw. It seems that's the way it always works out doesn't it.

Here's my question, how do you handle a lead situation. I know this house has lead based paint because it's about one hundred or more years old. If this becomes a very big issue, I'm not sure I want to even fool with the house. There will be some peeling issues that need addressed and then sanded down, so what's the protocol on this?

Frankawitz · 02-17-2008, 12:08 PM

contact the EPA and local city code enforcement, but being it's outside work you don't have much to worry about just make sure you have drops down to catch paint peels, bag them up put out for trash, if you have to sand use a dust mask so your not sucking in the dust.

ibsocal · 02-17-2008, 01:14 PM

what he said except for the sanding part and not sure in yor state but only lead certified people are to do this type of work.sub out the prep work and u paint. debris generated by a contractor is considered haz-mat and must be treated different then ordinary trash.only home owner can get away with putting so much haz-mat debris in normal trash that they generated.the problem with sanding is airborne dust u have to contain it and protect yourself with the proper saftey gear, dust will get on surrounding areas including next door

if you dont contain it.u dont want take dusted clothes in your vehicle or home.it might be easier to sub out prep work.

aspenpainting · 02-17-2008, 03:27 PM

Lead hotline probably could give your your guidelines
1-800-424-5323

**slickshift** · 02-17-2008, 04:29 PM

In most states you don't "handle the lead situation" yourself unless you are certified
It is illegal to charge money for it unless you are certified
However, you could sub it out to a certified contractor

Dorman Painting · 02-17-2008, 06:29 PM

Wow, can government get any friggin bigger? I'll take care of it myself and put the scrapes in a trash can...I've got to make a friggin living and getting pinched on some B.S. lead removal crew aint happenin.

premierpainter · 02-18-2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorman Painting

Wow, can government get any friggin bigger? I'll take care of it myself and put the scrapes in a trash can...I've got to make a friggin living and getting pinched on some B.S. lead removal crew aint happenin.

A company here in NJ got "pinched" and ended up paying a fine of $24k to clean all of the areas up after sanding with no vacs. I bidded on the house the right way with equiptment and the people went with the cheap bid. Problem was, the house was next to a childcare center. They called the town when they were concerned and the DEP shut the job down. They had to remove about 2 inches of topsoil, mulch and everything. Bottom line- be careful about what your doing when it comes to lead. We are certified and know the dangers of Lead. Just a litlle bit of dust on your clothing can lead to you poisoning your own family. Be careful

**slickshift** · 02-18-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorman Painting

Wow, can government get any friggin bigger? I'll take care of it myself and put the scrapes in a trash can...I've got to make a friggin living and getting pinched on some B.S. lead removal crew aint happenin.

Good luck with that
If you're from around my area you you might want to keep an eye out:

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickshift

Heads Up Exterior Paintingcos From Boston To R.I.

Word is the Massachusetts DEP will be doing drive-bys of exterior painting projects this spring
Targeted area includes the South Shore, along the Cape out to P-Town, and the South Coast to R.I.
They will be checking to make sure all proper environmental procedures are being followed
They will be testing for lead in the paint chips and in/on the ground, shrubs, pool water....
The "unofficial" word from this DEP official is the first sweep will be warnings
Then another sweep with all the hefty fines (and prosecution if appropriate)

Just letting you all know....

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickshift

Actually plain, that's kinda what happened
And I think the catalyst for the govt. to "do something" was from a public outcry

I think it was the Swimming Pool Incident (S.E. Mass.)
The H/O had the house "stripped"
It was done using grinders
The flakes blew into the neighbor's pool
The neighbor freaked
The neighbor had the pool drained and the flakes tested
They were lead
The ground and shrubs were tested
They had lead
They all had to be removed...the shrubs...and the ground
(a certain amount of topsoil must be removed)
The PaintCo went out of business
The neighbors insurance had to sue somebody
They sued the H/O (that had the house stripped)
The public bitched the Gov't "should have done something"
Now they are

It is a law (in any state I've worked in or know of) that a H/O can only hire a certified lead abatement company for lead abatement
But they can still try and get a company that is un-ethical or un-knowledgeable to strip lead paint