Originally posted by @Alex Jeffrey Steady:
Originally posted by @Derreck Wells:
Originally posted by @Alex Jeffrey Steady:
Nice to hear from a fellow local! Is your specialty paint removal? If so what are your thoughts on lead paint?
Hi Alex.
I'm into lead paint removal up here in MA. Any questions I can answer for you?
Derreck
Derreck,
Alot of the properties I'm looking at down here are pre 1978 and I know that I can either cover with paint or have it professionaly removed. But if its already pealing can I scrap exterior paint myself or is that going to violate EPA regs?
Thanks so much for your response!
First I want to say that I'm versed in MA lead laws, so you need to verify with your state laws that what I'm saying applies down there too. There are EPA rules and State laws that need to be adhered to.
You can't really "just cover with paint" and be good. Outside corners, baseboards, windows. doors, shelves, shelf supports, built in cabinets, etc. all have different rules. By outside corners, I don't mean the exterior of the house, though there are different rules for the exterior.
The laws basically state that if you are renovating, not deleading, its okay for you to deal with the paint yourself, however, you still need to follow the EPA RRP rules. For example, let's say you want to replace the windows with vinyl windows, but the old ones have lead paint on them. You can do it because you're replacing the windows because they're old and useless, you're not replacing them with the intent of passing a lead inspection. Same goes for painting. You're painting because the paint is peeling, not to try to pass a lead inspection and get a lead cert.
The different rules for different components in your house pretty much guarantee that a homeowner that isn't trained will fail the inspection if they try to delead themselves. Then there's evidence of "unauthorized deleading" (UD) and the property gets flagged for life. You don't want that. If it's you that did the work, there's big fines involved. If the work was done prior to you buying the house, there's additional paperwork that you have to go through to get a lead cert.
Here's a link to the EPA site about lead paint. There is a section for "do-it-yourselfers", but I suspect this will not apply to you as you're planning on renting out the properties. If you're planning on working on the units yourself, I'd consider yourself a "property manager" as you're doing the work for profit. EPA Lead Rules
Here's a link to VA lead paint info... VA Lead Paint
The site backs up what I mentioned about renovating vs deleading...
"Permanent Removal of Lead-Based Paint Hazards or Lead Abatement
If the main purpose of the project is to make the house lead-safe, and not just as part of an overall renovation project, then you should use a licensed lead abatement firm. Virginia law (CVA 54.1, Chapter 5) requires lead contractors and certain individuals to be licensed before conducting activities that disturb lead based paint."
It also mentions "certain individuals", so potentially as a property manager, you may need to licensed. I didn't read through the entire page, but you definitely should!
Let me know if you have any more questions and I'll do my best to answer them.
Derreck
