If you live in a house that is more than forty years old, chances are you have lead in the paint or the pipes unless the property has been totally remodeled within that time period. The pipes may not be much of a concern, but paint based with the metal is toxic if ingested or inhaled. The government banned its use in 1978. Families with young children, living in older homes, should consider the lead abatement Chicago contractors can perform.
This paint can be especially deadly for young children who tend to put anything within reach into their mouths. Chewing on windowsills has led to serious poisoning. Ingesting the toxin isn't the only way it can affect individuals. The metal dust can get into the air where it is inhaled, and into the soil where it can mix with rainwater. Older homes need to be inspected before any renovation job is begun.
Once you have established that lead based paint is a possibility, you will have to decide whether to have an inspection, risk assessment, or combination of the two. An inspection, which can only be conducted by a certified inspector, will determine once and for all if the metal is present in paint in your home. An assessment will tell the resident where the problem is, how severe it is, and what type of toxin is involved.
If you get the bad news that you have lead in your home, you must next decide exactly how to handle it. You have two basic options. You can choose to eliminate the hazard completely. This involves hiring a contractor who has the proper training and certifications to do the work. Your second choice is to leave the contaminant where it is and keep it maintained and periodically inspected.
Unless you have encountered this problem before, you may not know how to find someone qualified to assess or inspect your house. The easiest and safest thing to do is contact the Environmental Protection Agency or go to their website. They will give you free information about the nearest certified inspectors in your area.
It is possible that a local agency will take the decision of whether or not to have an abatement out of your hands. They might require that you do so. A lot of people, with young kids, feel like it would be irresponsible to leave a possible toxin right in the path of their youngsters. In this case, they have no choice but to remove the paint.
If you decide to remove the paint, you must hire a contractor who is experienced and certified to do the work. Once again, you can go to the EPA's website to get more information. It may be necessary for you and your family to leave the premises while the work is going on. Contractors will use special suits and equipment to protect themselves, but they may not be able to protect you.
Older homes have a lot of character and charm. They can also have old paint and pipes that may be hazardous to your family's health. Before you buy one of these houses, you might want to call a certified inspector.
This paint can be especially deadly for young children who tend to put anything within reach into their mouths. Chewing on windowsills has led to serious poisoning. Ingesting the toxin isn't the only way it can affect individuals. The metal dust can get into the air where it is inhaled, and into the soil where it can mix with rainwater. Older homes need to be inspected before any renovation job is begun.
Once you have established that lead based paint is a possibility, you will have to decide whether to have an inspection, risk assessment, or combination of the two. An inspection, which can only be conducted by a certified inspector, will determine once and for all if the metal is present in paint in your home. An assessment will tell the resident where the problem is, how severe it is, and what type of toxin is involved.
If you get the bad news that you have lead in your home, you must next decide exactly how to handle it. You have two basic options. You can choose to eliminate the hazard completely. This involves hiring a contractor who has the proper training and certifications to do the work. Your second choice is to leave the contaminant where it is and keep it maintained and periodically inspected.
Unless you have encountered this problem before, you may not know how to find someone qualified to assess or inspect your house. The easiest and safest thing to do is contact the Environmental Protection Agency or go to their website. They will give you free information about the nearest certified inspectors in your area.
It is possible that a local agency will take the decision of whether or not to have an abatement out of your hands. They might require that you do so. A lot of people, with young kids, feel like it would be irresponsible to leave a possible toxin right in the path of their youngsters. In this case, they have no choice but to remove the paint.
If you decide to remove the paint, you must hire a contractor who is experienced and certified to do the work. Once again, you can go to the EPA's website to get more information. It may be necessary for you and your family to leave the premises while the work is going on. Contractors will use special suits and equipment to protect themselves, but they may not be able to protect you.
Older homes have a lot of character and charm. They can also have old paint and pipes that may be hazardous to your family's health. Before you buy one of these houses, you might want to call a certified inspector.
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