Under the LRRP rule, both firms and individual contractors can apply to be certified renovators. Only those who work under the following trades that may involve lead-based paint are required to do so:
- Carpentry
- Plumbing
- Remodeling
- Repair and maintenance
- Replacement of windows
- Prep work
- Electrical tasks
Anyone who receives payment for work that involves disturbing any surface in pre-1978 homes and facilities that regularly accommodate children must be certified. This includes general and special trade contractors covered by the above list. Managers and owners of residential rental properties may also apply for this certification.
Any uncertified business or individual cannot advertise renovation and services for properties potentially having lead paint. Also, different states have different requirements for this certification. It is best to check the EPA website for the actual requirements.
An applicant must fulfill the required training handled by an accredited provider to be certified. This renovator training course involves an eight-hour training and two-hour hands-on learning. When completed, the applicant is given a certificate that will prove their credentials.
Do note that this certification has an expiration date. But before being allowed to renew, taking a four-hour refresher course is required.
Note that the validity period of the renewed certificate depends on the course method. The online course has a shorter validity period of the certificate compared to the validity period after taking the refresher course in person.
Anyone who becomes a certified renovator has the following duties and responsibilities when it comes to safe work practices:
| Steps and responsibilities | |||
| 1 | Prepare all the records and documents that are mandatory for the project. | 5 | Must be found in the worksite. It’s especially important when the warning signs in the site are put up while doing prep work. It’s done to contain debris in the workspace, and during cleanup of the workspace. |
| 2 | Provide on-site training to workers who are also involved but have yet to undergo the certification course. They must always follow throughout the project. | 6 | Verify the project cleaning. |
| 3 | They must have copies of their certifications available at the worksite, both initial course and refresher course if already completed. | 7 | If requested, do lead testing either using lead test kits that are EPA-recognized or by sending samples of chips to an accredited laboratory. If testing onsite and for work involving more than one area of the house or facility, get lead test kits in bulk to test more surfaces in one go. |
| 4 | Oversee the work of those under their employ and ensure that the workers constantly comply with proper practices involving lead. |
Anyone who gets certified as a renovator must assume that any home built in 1978 or earlier contains traces of lead-based paint. It is unless testing is done and yields a negative result.
If there’s lead
Many commonly believe that it is possible to paint over lead-based paint. This is not a safe practice, even if the layer is still undamaged. Once the non-lead-based coat wears off, the layer underneath may also be affected and release dangerous dust and chips.
You can either encapsulate the lead first before painting or completely remove it to prevent this.
Encapsulation involves applying a special coating or an encapsulant over the leaded surface to seal it and stop lead dust and chips from forming. After applying the encapsulant, you can now follow the regular procedures. Do note that regular paint is not an encapsulant and should not be applied as such.
Encapsulation is known to be cheap and quick. It is not considered a permanent solution, nor would it work for damaged parts. Over time, the encapsulant will wear off. It re-exposes the layer underneath.
If you want a more permanent solution, the only way to do it is to remove it completely. It can be done through proper abatement procedures.
Perhaps you want to bring out a window’s natural glory, like this one where the dog has found a comfortable spot.
Due to the risks involved, stripping lead paint is not as simple as scraping it off or using a sander or regular removers. The different methods of removing it include:
- Using chemical strippers specifically intended for use with lead-based products.
- Wet or dry sanding or scraping. Wet methods involve spraying water over the surface before sanding or scraping. It’s done to minimize the creation of dust and prevent air contamination. Dry sanding involves using a sander that is attached to a HEPA vacuum that will immediately collect all dust and debris.
- Use a heat gun to soften the layer before scraping it off by hand.
These methods are also applicable for lead paint applied to window frames or sills. However, sanding should be done carefully to avoid damaging decorative elements. It’s especially on the exterior window trim and sill.
When removing it on window frames and sills, make sure to follow these steps:
- Equip all workers with the necessary safety equipment and ensure that the area is sealed off to confine all debris to that space.
- Switch off the HVAC system and seal off any vents or openings to prevent lead dust from settling inside. If not, the lead dust can go all over the house once the HVAC system is switched on.
- Remove all the stuff that is within the proximity of the windows you will be working on. If this is not possible, cover them up with plastic sheets or tarps.
- If using chemical strippers, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. When using a heat gun to soften , avoid using those with open flames. But if using the sanding method, make sure that the sander is attached to a HEPA vacuum. Otherwise, do wet sanding. You can also combine these different methods to ensure the complete removal of the problematic surface.
- Mist the surface with water before wiping dust off to prevent it from becoming airborne and contaminating the air. Do it several times so that no lead dust remains on the surface.
Once the lead is completely encapsulated or removed, that is the only time that you can start painting after finishing the necessary prep work. Also, make sure to work and finish one area first before moving to other areas to minimize the creation of lead dust in the home you are working on.
