Has your house been tested for lead paint? Do you live in a home built in or before 1978, when lead paint usage was prohibited? If so, now’s a fantastic time to get your home tested!
Options To Protect Your Family From Lead Poisoning
Once the results are in, you’ll be able to develop an action plan. A negative test result means it didn’t find the lead on the surface, and you may continue with some other repair plans. A positive test leaves you with three options an authorized contractor can perform lead paint removal, lead paint abatement, or encapsulate it.
What’s Lead Paint Encapsulation?
Lead paint encapsulation, or painting over the lead paint, is a powerful way to guard your family against lead paint poisoning when done right. “Therefore, can I just paint on the lead paint?” maybe not wholly; the conditions must be appropriate for every lead coating. Once the requirements complete, there are three types of encapsulation epoxy, polymer, and cement-type material.
Is Lead Paint Encapsulation The Less Costly Option?
Employing new paint over the lead paint to encapsulate it could be considered a less expensive option than lead paint removal. It might also be considered “safer” in the short term as lead dust and debris would not get released into the environment. Nevertheless, as mentioned before, the home has to meet all the criteria, and you must get a professional who is working with lead paint.
In addition to meeting the criteria, the encapsulation must monitor to remain up-to-date with lead chips and dust exposure. If done correctly, encapsulation should last upwards of ten years. However, if the paint begins to peel, you need to take action immediately.
Lead Paint Is Peeling And Flaking
In the same way, if the lead you’re looking to encapsulate is peeling or flaking off, encapsulation is not a good recommendation. We don’t suggest it because once the paint begins to deteriorate, the potential risk of lead dust spreading increases drastically. Therefore, if the paint is deteriorating, you need no more extended color than the lead paint because it’ll flake and peel with the brand new paint’s application. When indications of paint failure signals start to show, like peeling or blistering, the color may release lead dust, which might cause harm to the body.
The Highest Risk Category Is Kids
Children are at the maximum risk category of being lead-poisoned because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults. Therefore, it’s of utmost importance we take extreme precautions when disturbing lead paint, no matter the present condition. If lead paint is involved, proper lead paint containment is vital and can not look over as lead dust particles and lead processors are hazardous.
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