Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog

Why do I need to know about Lead Based Paint?

 New rules will affect your remodeling time

Related Articles

• Colorado Homeowners, don’t remodel until you read this! 
• Do you want to do some green remodeling?
• Free local money for home improvements

Most home owners in Colorado Springs normally don’t even think about lead-based paint.    If they are getting ready to put their house up for sale, and it was built before 1978, their Colorado Springs Realtor will tell them about their obligation to disclose whether or not they knew of lead-based paint in the home.   This would include reviewing and signing the form,  Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (which is mandatory) and the form,  Lead-based Paint Obligations of Seller  (which is not mandatory in Colorado).   You can get the EPAs booklet on this new rule here

It is estimated that more than 80 percent of the housing structures in Colorado, including Colorado Springs were built before 1980, according to the 2000 U.S. Census, many of which fall under the EPA’s target properties requiring the use of RRP rules.

There is a now a new rule that affects contractors performing work on these properties.   Set to take effect in April 2010, the new standards will extend to builders, painters, plumbers, and electricians working in all rental housing built before 1978.    Under the “Lead: Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program” rule, contractors working under such conditions will be required to post warning signs, restrict occupants from jobsites, contain work areas to prevent the spread of dust and debris, conduct a thorough clean up, and verify the effectiveness of cleanup efforts.  Supervisors will be required to complete a one-day training and certification class in accordance with the new EPA lead-safe work practices

If a home owner performs work on their own house, they don’t have to be certified.   Contractors are also exempt if the area they’ll disturb is no larger than six square feet of interior painted surface, or twenty square feet of exterior surface.  (not a very big space!) 

Here’s some additional information about Lead Based Paint:

1. What activities are subject to the rule?
   In general, any activity that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities, including remodeling and repair, electrical work, plumbing, painting, carpentry and window replacement.
2. What is the reason for this new rule?
   Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.
3. Why Do You Need to Be Concerned About Lead? Lead is a toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and homes.    Lead can also enter drinking water from plumbing materials.    It may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death.   Children six years old and under are most at risk.

Knowledge is Power!

Kathy (719-287-1049)   KTorline@msn.com

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 6:27 am and is filed under For Buyers, For Sellers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

1. cabinets NJ said at December 1st, 2010 at 12:34 am

   Lead-based paints have been proven to be hazardous to our health and the environment. Your building contractor should consult you with the kind of materials used in constructing your home and if you are about to sell your old home that was built during the 1970’s, it is best to check what kind of paint was used to avoid any problems in the future. Aside from those who are planning to sell their homes, those of you who bought one which is over 30 years old need to be sure that it does not contain lead-based paint on its walls. Improving your home with custom storage solutions is great to make your abode more spacious and organized, but you also have to be considerate and avoid any lead-based products.

2. Suicide Clean-up said at October 11th, 2011 at 11:32 pm

   Suicide Clean-up …

   [...]New Lead Based Paint Rules — remodeling tips | Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog[...]…

3. schilderen said at October 26th, 2011 at 1:54 pm

   schilderen…

   [...]New Lead Based Paint Rules — remodeling tips | Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog[...]…

4. repair car scratches said at November 10th, 2011 at 8:50 pm

   repair car scratches…

   [...]New Lead Based Paint Rules — remodeling tips | Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog[...]…

5. scratch remover car said at November 10th, 2011 at 8:52 pm

   scratch remover car…

   [...]New Lead Based Paint Rules — remodeling tips | Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog[...]…

6. Remodeling Portland said at November 25th, 2011 at 12:36 pm

   Remodeling Portland…

   [...]New Lead Based Paint Rules — remodeling tips | Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog[...]…

7. intrinsically safe 2 way radio said at February 10th, 2012 at 5:51 pm

   intrinsically safe 2 way radio…

   [...]New Lead Based Paint Rules — remodeling tips | Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog[...]…

8. ex certified pda's said at February 10th, 2012 at 10:41 pm

   ex certified pda’s…

   [...]New Lead Based Paint Rules — remodeling tips | Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog[...]…

Leave a Reply