New Lead-Safe Law for remodeling a home built prior to 1978
- As home sales increase and contractors see improving business conditions ahead, remodeling activity in the U.S. is expected to grow by the end of this year and into 2013, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released today by Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.
- Homeowners planning to renovate a home built before 1978 need to be aware that there are regulations concerning dust and other materials containing lead, a toxic substance formerly used in paint.
- A contractor hired to remodel more than 6 square feet indoors in homes, schools, or child-care facilities built before 1978 must be, by law, trained and certified in proper practices.
- Renovators must give homeowners and tenants a copy of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pamphlet called “The Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right,” which also can be read online.
- The EPA recommends that a contract with a renovator spell out how dust will be handled and prevented from spreading. The contract also should specify that the contractor will clean up the work area, verify that it was cleaned adequately, and clean it again if necessary.
Comments(4)