Ensure the safety of your home and loved ones with our certified lead inspection services.
If a home, apartment, or child-occupied facility was built prior 1978, all surfaces affected by a renovation covered by EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule) must either be tested for lead-based paint or presumed to contain lead-based paint. EPA requires testing be performed by a certified lead-based paint inspector, risk assessor, or certified renovator. However, certified renovators are not authorized to conduct the inspections for HUD projects. The test must include all affected surfaces coated with paint, shellac, stain, varnish, coating or even paint covered by wallpaper, if it will be disturbed during the renovation or repair work. An inspection report must be completed documenting the test used, the surfaces tested, and the results. EPA does allow the option to not test, however then all affected surfaces in the renovation must be presumed to contain lead-based paint.
WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY
“Great customer service, kudos for doing things the right way rather than the easy way. ”
If lead-based paint is present or presumed to be present (in the absence of testing), then the lead safe work practices described in EPA’s Lead Safe Renovation Repair and Painting guidance must be used on the job. Lead safe work practices are techniques that reduce the amount of dust produced during renovation and remodel activities. When the practices are implemented correctly, they make the work area safer for workers and the home safe for residents when renovation is complete.
Professional contractors doing work for compensation (or trade) in homes or child-occupied facilities built prior to 1978 must be certified and follow certain work practices. EPA’s, Steps to Lead Safe Renovation Repair and Painting guidance describes those required work practices and provides additional helpful information to reduce your family's risk of lead poisoning during repair and renovation. The term renovation is described as activities done for compensation that disturb painted surfaces including most repair, remodeling, and maintenance activities, such as window replacement, weatherization, opening of walls, and demolition.
Lead exposure is a serious health risk that shouldn't be taken lightly. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause significant harm, especially to children. In rare instances, exposure to high levels can be fatal. While everyone is at risk, children aged six and under are particularly susceptible due to their developing bodies absorbing more lead compared to adults.
Pregnant women should be especially cautious as lead exposure can significantly increase the risk of illness during pregnancy. It can also cause severe harm to the fetus, including brain damage and, in extreme cases, death.
The health effects from lead exposure are quite frightening; however knowledge is power. One of the most
important things you can do is to have your home tested for lead by a certified lead inspector, especially if it
was built before 1978, and/or if you intend on doing any remodeling projects. Research has shown that general
remodeling and renovation activities are associated with an increased risk of elevated lead levels in children.
Renovation, repair, or painting activities can create toxic lead dust when painted surfaces are disturbed or
demolished.
EPA’s Steps to Lead Safe Renovation Repair and Painting
EPA's Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Right
EPA and HUD's Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home
CDPHE's Lead Safety Time
