After we had a solar power system installed on our home, I realized that we needed to work hard to create a stronger sunlight flow. We had large trees that hovered over our home, and although they provided a lot of shade, they also kept the sun from producing the kind of power we needed. I really wanted to work hard to create excellent energy stores in our home, so I decided to make this blog. I wanted to spread the word about responsible energy use, so I started writing all kinds of articles about the environment, energy use, and protecting our resources. Read more here.
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Creating Excellent Energy Stores
Why Lead Paint Testing Is So Important In Your Older Home Before Any Renovations Begin
Marion Rogers
Lead-based paints were commonly used in homes in the past but have since been found to cause health problems, especially in children exposed to these paints. Lead paint testing in your older home is critical if you have a toddler running around or are planning a restoration project in the house.
Lead Paint
Up until 1978, lead paint was common in homes because it is durable, has a beautiful finish, and is highly resistant to moisture. If the paint is not cracked or scratched, the lead is contained under the surface, but as soon as that changes, people, children, and pets can be exposed to the lead and develop health problems that can be devastating.
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has established specific guidelines for lead paint abatement, and home centers and hardware stores sell test kits you can use to test the paint before you begin any work in the home. If you are not comfortable doing lead paint testing yourself, you can hire a lead paint testing service to come and test the home for a reasonable fee.
Testing For Lead
Using a test kit to do your lead paint testing is perfectly acceptable in most areas, and if not as difficult as you might think. The lead paint testing kit comes with everything you need to test the paint and directions to guide you through the process.
If you do try and do the testing yourself, talk to the associate at the store about the type of kit you need. Paints tinted red or pink require a special test kit to ensure they do not result in a false positive, but the kit should indicate which ones are best for those colors.
When you are ready to do the test, you will need the kit and a sharp utility knife, so pick one up at the home center if you don't have one at home. A small cut in the paint is required to test it, and if you make that cut in a place that is hard to see, like the inside of the window frame, you can perform the test without damaging the paint much if it is not lead-based and tests clean.
Professional Testing
If you hire a lead paint testing service to test your home, they will use a similar method as the DIY kits, but the chemicals and testing equipment they use is far more accurate, so they can test the paint very quickly and get accurate readings for you.
If your home does test positive for lead paint, you will need to hire a lead paint abatement service to remove it for you and dispose of the material properly. The EPA guidelines are specific, and if you don't follow them, there can be fines and penalties involved.
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