Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options?

plazaman · 04-12-2008, 06:42 PM

Guys,

Since I been quoting a few paint removal project, so i decided to play it safe. I want to have the samples tested for lead. I really dont want to goto the lab route, A) too expensese, B) HO probably will not pay for it. Whatever the case is, is there an inexpensive way to test for lead from paint chips. I have several chips where I peeled off the surface (exposing the bare surface).

Any of those test kits gonna work? Its removal by sandblasting.

Thanks
Rich

Steve Richards · 04-12-2008, 10:31 PM

Don't you do any EASY jobs?

Faron79 · 04-13-2008, 01:15 AM

It's against the law to aerosolize lead, if indeed it's present.
The HO HAS to know that!!!

A test needs to be done, no ifs, ands, or buts...

There are cheap "swab-kits" at most paint stores.

If the HO is THAT ignorant

...get out of there.

If lead...sandblasting is OUT!!!!!
Wet/Chemical stripping is the ONLY option. Lead dust CANNOT be allowed to get into the air & deposit on clothing, etc.
Strippings, etc. have to be wrapped in plastic, etc....

This may be a nightmare

...

Faron

MALCO.New.York · 04-13-2008, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faron79

It's against the law to aerosolize lead, if indeed it's present.
The HO HAS to know that!!!

A test needs to be done, no ifs, ands, or buts...

There are cheap "swab-kits" at most paint stores.

If the HO is THAT ignorant

...get out of there.

If lead...sandblasting is OUT!!!!!
Wet/Chemical stripping is the ONLY option. Lead dust CANNOT be allowed to get into the air & deposit on clothing, etc.
Strippings, etc. have to be wrapped in plastic, etc....

This may be a nightmare

...

Faron

Nightmare = $$$$$$$

mark942 · 04-13-2008, 05:17 AM

Lead paint removal ? Abatement/licensed State certs.Ins/Bond Has to be through the sky in premiums.Seems NY would be at the top of the scale on all the above.

plazaman · 04-13-2008, 10:40 AM

to clarify, i didnt ask him about paying for the lead testing, I just assumed. i wanted to test for myself. how efftive are those kits. the paint chips have the last layer of paint on top of it, that might not be lead. will it be able to test the layers beneath?

neolitic · 04-13-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plazaman

to clarify, i didnt ask him about paying for the lead testing, I just assumed. i wanted to test for myself. how efftive are those kits. the paint chips have the last layer of paint on top of it, that might not be lead. will it be able to test the layers beneath?

Age will tell you a lot.
If it's before 1975ish....
you can bet it's lead.
Test kits will give false positives
and you have to get to the back
side of the oldest layers to get
good results anyway.

You could always lick it...
lead is sweet!

plazaman · 04-13-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neolitic

Age will tell you a lot.
If it's before 1975ish....
you can bet it's lead.
Test kits will give false positives
and you have to get to the back
side of the oldest layers to get
good results anyway.

You could always lick it...
lead is sweet!

House was built in 1959, but not sure when it was painted. so when i test, i should test the back not the front right?

RCPainting · 04-13-2008, 10:51 AM

I had the same situation a while ago. I did some research and found in my state a homeowner can remove and bag lead paint and take to the dump. A Painter or GC has a lot of regs to follow. Seems to vary by state. I did find two labs in my state that would test for lead for 35 to 50 dollars. They gave directions on web site how to send sample.

neolitic · 04-13-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plazaman

House was built in 1959, but not sure when it was painted. so when i test, i should test the back not the front right?

Definitely right.
The oldest is on the back.
Unless someone has stripped it recently,
you have 100% probability of lead
at that age!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCPainting

I had the same situation a while ago. I did some research and found in my state a homeowner can remove and bag lead paint and take to the dump. A Painter or GC has a lot of regs to follow. Seems to vary by state. I did find two labs in my state that would test for lead for 35 to 50 dollars. They gave directions on web site how to send sample.

That's probably the case most places.
Sounds like a chemical strip to me.
Containment for blasting will cost
roughly the same as a moon landing
project.

plazaman · 04-13-2008, 11:19 AM

Do I have to be certifed to remove lead or just follow the procedures? How can i find out, im in NY.

paint_booger · 04-19-2008, 07:47 AM

Plaza,

I had to deal with this situation about a year ago. I had a few links favorited. Take a look at these three ...

http://www.moldgonebyebye.com/1476484.html

http://www.nmic.org/nyccelp/laws/29CFR1926.62.PDF

http://www.nmic.org/nyccelp/laws/OSH...ns_on_Lead.htm

If you sandblast, you could be paying for EPA people testing the soil, and every exposed surface in the neighborhood, plus blood screening for all who live there. You may have to pay for all the soil to be removed in the vacinity. Also decontamination of nearby houses, and put the people who live there at the local hotel until the mess is cleaned up. As far as lawsuits ... where do we begin? A judge may even eventualy shut you down from owning/opperating this type of business in the future due to "The potential to put the general public's health at risk".

I would leave the lead abatement to the companies that do that kind of stuff. Including a little blurb in your contracts about lead paint might be an idea for the future.

Read the OSHA Regs ... it's tough reading, and boring, but an hour well spent on self education!

booger

PlainPainter · 04-19-2008, 12:00 PM

I find all these threads on lead removal humourous. I have never seen anyone but myself remove lead following the regulations - of course I have never sold myself as a lead abator - as I am sure then you need the licensing and all. Just shut my mouth and used hepa vacuum attached grinders and tarps everywhere, along with scraping. Here is food for thought - how many of those Makita grinders have been sold thus far in this country? Alot - right? And secondly, you can't grind latex - it just gums up, they're grinding years and years and layers upon layers of old lead siding paint. So all those makita grinders with no vacuum ports are being sold for one thing and one thing only - improper lead grinding. All the crews do it - higher end crews wear respirators - lower end crews i.e. mexicans, brazilians aren't even wearing dust masks.

Personally I am done with the stuff - I only take easy jobs from now on. You have to fight an old farm style house hard with laborous man-hours that homeowners think is expensive. I let my cheapo competition get messed up with those jobs and unsatisfactory endless callbacks of peeling - who needs it?

ibsocal · 04-19-2008, 05:13 PM

Walk away rene,h/o sounds like they want some thing for nothing.proper testing and on going air sampling and decontamination during production is a standerd opperating procedure that will cost.getting the led out is easy .

comunication break down drives me insaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaane.

plazaman · 04-19-2008, 06:03 PM

To clarify, i want to test for lead before any blasting operation starts. If lead is present, i told the HO, i will not touch the project. I know the dangers and the risk/fines involved in lead abatement. I am not certified, nor will i even attempt to touch a surface with lead. Thats why I asked about testing.

Im just curious what it takes to become certified.

ibsocal · 04-20-2008, 03:16 PM

All most anyone can do it.it just takes a lot of money to pay for the tools of the trade and schooling for proper sop,but the work is easy to do.

user20594 · 04-22-2008, 10:39 PM

I say hey **** balls,
Ibesocal, man you are on the ball, I will not follow one rule for you this year just for you. I Will pay the fines and get by. Read my other post big boy.

ibsocal · 04-23-2008, 12:37 PM

Sounds like u will be very busy for awhile.dont get caught they could take your freedom away for awhile.fines and clean up fee's + jail time might ruin you and brothers business,good luck P

Blast-master · 01-30-2012, 09:24 PM

I would recommend the lead check swabs - see http://leadcheck.com/ as a quick & economical qualitative test method
available in USA from:
www.blast-one.com
sales@blast-one.com
614-476-3000

VinylHanger · 01-31-2012, 05:06 AM

You can't officially or unofficially test the house unless you are certified. Sandblasting is definitely out unless you have a HEPA containment shroud as absolutely no visible dust can be produced by mechanical means. Sandblasting is listed as a prohibited practice.

04-12-2008, 06:42 PM	#1
plazaman View Profile plazaman Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (1,823) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Remodeling Contractor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 1,823	Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options? Guys, Since I been quoting a few paint removal project, so i decided to play it safe. I want to have the samples tested for lead. I really dont want to goto the lab route, A) too expensese, B) HO probably will not pay for it. Whatever the case is, is there an inexpensive way to test for lead from paint chips. I have several chips where I peeled off the surface (exposing the bare surface). Any of those test kits gonna work? Its removal by sandblasting. Thanks Rich __________________ Westchester Remodeling Contractor Hartsdale Remodeling Contractor Ardsley Remodeling Contractor

04-12-2008, 10:31 PM	#2
Steve Richards View Profile Steve Richards Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (1,606) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: hack painting Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,606	Re: Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options? Don't you do any EASY jobs?

04-13-2008, 01:15 AM	#3
Faron79 View Profile Faron79 Knowledgeable Tinter! Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (65) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Knowledgeable Tinter! Trade: Painting/Hardware Retail Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 65	Re: Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options? It's against the law to aerosolize lead, if indeed it's present. The HO HAS to know that!!! A test needs to be done, no ifs, ands, or buts... There are cheap "swab-kits" at most paint stores. If the HO is THAT ignorant ...get out of there. If lead...sandblasting is OUT!!!!! Wet/Chemical stripping is the ONLY option. Lead dust CANNOT be allowed to get into the air & deposit on clothing, etc. Strippings, etc. have to be wrapped in plastic, etc.... This may be a nightmare... Faron

04-13-2008, 05:17 AM	#5
mark942 View Profile mark942 Forgot More Than I Know Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (4) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Forgot More Than I Know Trade: Contractor Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 4	Re: Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options? Lead paint removal ? Abatement/licensed State certs.Ins/Bond Has to be through the sky in premiums.Seems NY would be at the top of the scale on all the above.

04-13-2008, 10:40 AM	#6
plazaman View Profile plazaman Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (1,823) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Remodeling Contractor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 1,823	Re: Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options? to clarify, i didnt ask him about paying for the lead testing, I just assumed. i wanted to test for myself. how efftive are those kits. the paint chips have the last layer of paint on top of it, that might not be lead. will it be able to test the layers beneath? __________________ Westchester Remodeling Contractor Hartsdale Remodeling Contractor Ardsley Remodeling Contractor Last edited by plazaman; 04-13-2008 at 10:42 AM.

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04-13-2008, 10:51 AM	#9
RCPainting View Profile RCPainting Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (910) Photos (0) Reviews (2) Projects (1) Toolbox (4) View All Activity Pro Trade: Painting in Utah Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Southern Utah Posts: 910	Re: Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options? I had the same situation a while ago. I did some research and found in my state a homeowner can remove and bag lead paint and take to the dump. A Painter or GC has a lot of regs to follow. Seems to vary by state. I did find two labs in my state that would test for lead for 35 to 50 dollars. They gave directions on web site how to send sample.

04-13-2008, 11:19 AM	#11
plazaman View Profile plazaman Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (1,823) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Remodeling Contractor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 1,823	Re: Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options? Do I have to be certifed to remove lead or just follow the procedures? How can i find out, im in NY. __________________ Westchester Remodeling Contractor Hartsdale Remodeling Contractor Ardsley Remodeling Contractor

04-19-2008, 07:47 AM	#12
paint_booger View Profile paint_booger Guru Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (277) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Guru Trade: Union Paint & Drywall Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 277	Re: Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options? Plaza, I had to deal with this situation about a year ago. I had a few links favorited. Take a look at these three ... http://www.moldgonebyebye.com/1476484.html http://www.nmic.org/nyccelp/laws/29CFR1926.62.PDF http://www.nmic.org/nyccelp/laws/OSH...ns_on_Lead.htm If you sandblast, you could be paying for EPA people testing the soil, and every exposed surface in the neighborhood, plus blood screening for all who live there. You may have to pay for all the soil to be removed in the vacinity. Also decontamination of nearby houses, and put the people who live there at the local hotel until the mess is cleaned up. As far as lawsuits ... where do we begin? A judge may even eventualy shut you down from owning/opperating this type of business in the future due to "The potential to put the general public's health at risk". I would leave the lead abatement to the companies that do that kind of stuff. Including a little blurb in your contracts about lead paint might be an idea for the future. Read the OSHA Regs ... it's tough reading, and boring, but an hour well spent on self education! booger

04-19-2008, 12:00 PM	#13
PlainPainter View Profile PlainPainter Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (431) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 431	Re: Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options? I find all these threads on lead removal humourous. I have never seen anyone but myself remove lead following the regulations - of course I have never sold myself as a lead abator - as I am sure then you need the licensing and all. Just shut my mouth and used hepa vacuum attached grinders and tarps everywhere, along with scraping. Here is food for thought - how many of those Makita grinders have been sold thus far in this country? Alot - right? And secondly, you can't grind latex - it just gums up, they're grinding years and years and layers upon layers of old lead siding paint. So all those makita grinders with no vacuum ports are being sold for one thing and one thing only - improper lead grinding. All the crews do it - higher end crews wear respirators - lower end crews i.e. mexicans, brazilians aren't even wearing dust masks. Personally I am done with the stuff - I only take easy jobs from now on. You have to fight an old farm style house hard with laborous man-hours that homeowners think is expensive. I let my cheapo competition get messed up with those jobs and unsatisfactory endless callbacks of peeling - who needs it?

04-19-2008, 05:13 PM	#14
ibsocal View Profile ibsocal Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (194) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Pain Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: IB SOCAL Posts: 194	Re: Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options? Walk away rene,h/o sounds like they want some thing for nothing.proper testing and on going air sampling and decontamination during production is a standerd opperating procedure that will cost.getting the led out is easy .comunication break down drives me insaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaane. Last edited by ibsocal; 04-19-2008 at 05:24 PM. Reason: former lead master abater

04-19-2008, 06:03 PM	#15
plazaman View Profile plazaman Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (1,823) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Remodeling Contractor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 1,823	Re: Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options? To clarify, i want to test for lead before any blasting operation starts. If lead is present, i told the HO, i will not touch the project. I know the dangers and the risk/fines involved in lead abatement. I am not certified, nor will i even attempt to touch a surface with lead. Thats why I asked about testing. Im just curious what it takes to become certified. __________________ Westchester Remodeling Contractor Hartsdale Remodeling Contractor Ardsley Remodeling Contractor

04-20-2008, 03:16 PM	#16
ibsocal View Profile ibsocal Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (194) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Pain Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: IB SOCAL Posts: 194	Re: Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options? All most anyone can do it.it just takes a lot of money to pay for the tools of the trade and schooling for proper sop,but the work is easy to do.

04-22-2008, 10:39 PM	#17
user20594 View Profile user20594 Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (574) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 574	Re: Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options? I say hey **** balls, Ibesocal, man you are on the ball, I will not follow one rule for you this year just for you. I Will pay the fines and get by. Read my other post big boy.

04-23-2008, 12:37 PM	#18
ibsocal View Profile ibsocal Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (194) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Pain Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: IB SOCAL Posts: 194	Re: Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options? Sounds like u will be very busy for awhile.dont get caught they could take your freedom away for awhile.fines and clean up fee's + jail time might ruin you and brothers business,good luck P

01-30-2012, 09:24 PM	#19
Blast-master View Profile Blast-master Registered User Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (3) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Registered User Trade: Abrasive Blasting & Coating Equipment Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: 3 Bruce Ave, Marleston SA 5033 Australia Posts: 3	Re: Test Paint Chips For Lead - My Options? I would recommend the lead check swabs - see http://leadcheck.com/ as a quick & economical qualitative test method available in USA from: www.blast-one.com sales@blast-one.com 614-476-3000

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01-31-2012, 05:06 AM	#20
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