1. Lead paint was banned from use in consumer products in 1978. Lead paint often was used in houses and multi-family dwellings built before then. Lead had been added to paint for many decades because it improved the performance of the paint (drying time, durability, etc.) However, if lead is inhaled or ingested (usually in the form of lead paint dust), it can be harmful to adults and especially to young children.
   
2. To reduce the potential problem of lead paint in older houses, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that contractors inform their customers about lead paint. A contractor is supposed to provide you with a special pamphlet titled “Renovate Right: Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools.” Unless your house was built after 1977, you are probably entitled to a copy of this pamphlet from your contractor before any work begins on your house.

3. As of April 22, 2010, if a planned remodeling project is being done to a house or multi-family dwelling that was built before 1978, and the work involves or impacts painted surfaces, then the contractor has to test one or more paint samples from the work area to see if there is lead paint. These tests can only be performed by an EPA-approved Certified Renovator. A quality contractor should have EPA approved Certified Renovators working for them. It is estimated that 35% of the housing in Colorado was built before 1978. What every homeowner should know about LEAD PAINT EPA Lead Paint Rule http://www.epa.gov/lead/
   
4. If lead paint is found in the work area, then the contractor has to use specialized “lead-safe work practices” in performing the planned remodeling project. This means using specialized clothing, equipment, procedures, and clearance testing to perform and complete the work. This is to reduce or eliminate the risk of lead paint dust resulting from the work. Only contractors that have registered with the EPA are allowed to do this, and only Certified Renovators and specially trained crews can perform lead-safe work practices.
   
5. There are some exemptions and exclusions that can apply so that lead-safe work practices may not have to be used, even on a house built before 1978. A good contractor will be able to review these possible exemptions and exclusions with you to see if any might apply to the planned remodeling project.

6. Testing and the use of lead-safe work practices will increase the amount of time and the expense incurred by the contractor in performing the planned remodeling project. A contractor may need to apply a special “Lead-Safe Work Practices Fee” to a remodeling project, based on the size and type of the work involved. The fees could run from hundreds to thousands of dollars in addition to the project cost. Completion time tables also may be extended.
   
7. You should be given copies of any exemption or exclusion forms used by a contractor, as well as copies of the results of any paint samples tested by a Certified Renovator. If lead-safe work practices are used on a planned remodeling project, you should be given a certificate signed by the Certified Renovator showing that lead-safe work practices were properly performed.
   
8. You need to request a liability insurance certificate from the contractor validating that they are insured to do lead paint testing and renovation work.
   IF YOUR CONTRACTOR IS NOT TELLING YOU ABOUT LEAD PAINT OR IS NOT FOLLOWING THE LAW REGARDING LEAD PAINT, YOU SHOULD FIND ANOTHER CONTRACTOR!

* This article contains certain information copyrighted by Kachina Lead Paint Solutions LLC.

Contact Superior Products to schedule your educational seminar on the new lead paint rule - 303-347-2555.