From repainting a wall to renovating a room, it’s important to understand the dangers of lead paint in older houses. This is a risk not just posed to you, but any contractors hired for the work. For the safety of your family and these employees, it’s important to talk to them about their RRP Certification and to get your home tested and lead paint removed if it poses a danger. This article will go over what the risks of lead paint is, why RRP Certification exists, and what to talk to your contractors about.
Dangers of Lead Paint During Contractor Renovations
The Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) program is a rule put into effect by the EPA in 2008 to make sure that training and safe-work practices were practiced by contractors performing repair, renovations, and painting projects on building (namely home and facilities for children) due to the risks of lead poisoning to children from paint. This specifically calls out pre-1978 buildings that could contain lead paint (a ban of lead paint occurred in 1978). Learn more details in our blogs, What is the Lead RRP Rule and Why Is It Important? and Lead Remediation: Why Is There Lead in Paint?.
Questions to Ask Your Contractors about Lead Paint
When it comes to using contractors in your home, if it was built before 1978 there are very real risks that the building may contain lead paint – inside or out. Here are some questions to ask contractors who will be doing repairs, renovations, or painting on your home.
- Is my home at risk for lead paint and/or lead exposure? Talk to your contractor about your home’s age and painting history to see if your home is likely to contain lead paint.
- Does this work come under the RRP program? Talk to the contractor to see if the work you need falls under the repair, renovation, or painting of the RRP program.
- Are your RRP trained and certified? It’s important that anyone who works on a home that has lead paint, from apartment managers, general contractors, and painters, to specialty contractors (plumbers, electricians, etc.) has RRP certification and training.
If your home is at risk for lead paint and you haven’t gotten it tested, do it not. Here at Fiber Control, Inc., we specialize in complete lead paint abatement – the removal of lead paint without risk of lead dust or damage. This is done in conjunction with testing and removal of asbestos and mold from homes and businesses. Contact us today to learn about your options and get started.
