lead paint... anyone have to deal with that?

ok, so we all know that most paint had lead prior to 1978....

well, we're enamoured with a 19th century colonial... which obviously had lead paint in it at one time, but may still have some about.... we're having it inspected soon, and are also currently arranging to have it tested for lead.....

to those who bought homes that once tested positive for lead, what happened? How expensive was abatement (and how extensive was the lead paint?)

I'm bracing myself... knowing it'll probably be somewhere in the house...

Re: lead paint... anyone have to deal with that?

honestly because almost all homes on LI were built before 1978 they most definitely have lead paint. but over the last 29 years, homeowners have sheetrocked, painted, wallpapered, etc over the lead paint that its not really anything to worry about now. the only time you should really be concerned about it is if its ingested...so unless you plan on eating the walls i wouldnt be too worried.

Re: lead paint... anyone have to deal with that?

actually, that's not really true.... children eating paint flakes always seems to come to mind when the topic comes up, but actually, lead paint, especially on painted wooden windows is a REAL problem... becuase the rubbing of those surfaces makes very small cracks and releases invisible particles that people inhale.... once inhaled, it's in you for life.

It's not only a real problem with children under 6, but also with women TTC.... and I still have to get preggo DH said in the car today 'well, YOU can have mutant kids with whomever in a lead paint house , but you can only have kids with me in one that's lead-free'

'nuff said.... he wants abatement

Message edited 8/18/2007 10:36:16 PM.

Re: lead paint... anyone have to deal with that?

i completely agree with you that the inhalation and ingestion of lead paint is bad but i was saying that there are sooooooo many layers on top of the old paint (that contained lead) that every inspector will say its not something to worry about.

Re: lead paint... anyone have to deal with that?

yeah, totally agree.... but I'm a bit concerned with the siding, windows, and one closet wall...... basically areas we intend to renovate ASAP, and will disturb.

Re: lead paint... anyone have to deal with that?

I'm not sure who would really be able to tell you more about this, though I think there are contractors who specialize in lead paint abatement.

Our home was built in the 50s, so there is lead paint in there also. Our inspector told us it's not a problem though, as long as we keep the paint up. He did say if we wanted to remove old layers at any paint, we should get a specialist to do that, though we didn't ask him much about that. Most of the paint has been kept up very well, so any changes we make are purely cosmetic. And new windows were installed recently, so that was no longer an issue for us either.

I understand your concern though--I'm pregnant and I've been pretty careful with cleaning. DH sanded our walls also before he painted, and I wasn't in the house with him when that was going on, just in case.

Re: lead paint... anyone have to deal with that?

yeah, I guess we should pay for abatement if we decide to knock down that closet wall.... I won't get neurotic about it.... but I know DH will... we're both scientists, and in the lab, it's obvious he's nervous about 'contamination'.... he won't touch any surface, even the door knob, w/o putting on gloves... I swear he alone can finance the glove comany's CEO's leer jet