Do you know the risks of lead-based paint?
Lead paint and the environmental and health impacts of lead are always important topics of conversation, especially for property owners and homeowners who want to remodel or renovate a home that was built before 1978. In April 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a mandate that has significantly impacted the remodeling and home improvement industry.
The Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) has changed how painting and other renovation contractors approach working on buildings built before 1978, as well as schools, nonprofit buildings, government buildings, and hospitals.
Before getting into some of the finer details and some tips on how to know if your home or building features a lead-based paint product, it’s important to make consumers aware that Ai Painting Plus has seven RRP-certified painters on its team and is the only local certified painting company capable of handling RRP projects. If you’re looking to hire a painting company that is certified to remove the old paint and put on a new coat and finish, you’re looking for Ai Painting Plus which is known for painting historic homes in the community.
According to the EPA, most buildings built prior to 1978 will likely contain lead-based paint, a heavy mercury-like substance that is a health hazard to humans. Fortunately, now that the dangers of latent lead-based paint have become public knowledge, the EPA is actively involved in creating stringent regulations that govern the renovation of older homes containing this substance.
While lead-safe work practices require an EPA lead-safe contractor, additional labor, and materials, certified contractors will ensure that lead-based paint debris is removed and handled in a way that is safe to your home and family, as well as themselves. Always ask any contractor for their EPA Lead RRP certification number.
What does RRP certification mean? An EPA lead certification means that the certified firm has at least one EPA lead certified renovator on staff. (Ai Painting Plus has seven!) A person becomes certified by completing an EPA-accredited training course.
Do I need a lead certified painter? If your home was built before 1978, or if lead paint has been detected on your home, you should hire an EPA Lead certified painter.
How do I identify lead paint? Most hardware stores offer paint testing kits that detect if there is lead present on painted surfaces. Home test kits, however, can only test if there is lead on the surface. Some home inspectors can run more advanced tests to verify.
What are the dangers of lead-based paint? Lead paint can be dangerous if it is beginning to break down with cracks and peeling, or if it is sanded. Lead is a toxic metal that can lead to a variety of health problems if inhaled or ingested.
Any renovation, repair, or painting (RRP) project in a pre-1978 home or building can easily create dangerous lead dust. EPA requires that RRP projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, childcare facilities, and preschools built before 1978 be performed by lead-safe certified contractors. Generally, EPA’s Lead RRP rule does not apply to homeowners doing RRP projects in their own homes. However, it does apply if you rent all or part of your home, operate a childcare center in your home or if you buy, renovate, and sell homes for profit (i.e., a house flipper).
If your home was built before 1978 it is vital to ensure that the contractor you are working with is EPA RRP certified. When you work with Ai Painting Plus, you know your lead-based paint project will be handled in a safe manner that complies with regulation from the EPA.
Austin Ilsley started Ai Painting Plus in 2013. From the age of 16 he started working with other painting companies which gave him a solid foundation for performing the work and running a company dedicated to professionalism both with himself and his crew.
573-639-2343 | aipaintingplus.com