A lot of people love the idea of buying and renovating an older home. The workmanship is often superior to new houses. The original builders would not have had some of the information about potential dangers that contractors are now aware of though. Because of this the lead based paint inspection California assessors conduct can be very important.
Lead is naturally occurring in nature and has its benefits. It can be extremely harmful too. Prior to 1978 paints used in residential houses contained the metal. The federal government banned it for consumer use at that time. There was no remedy required by homeowners to get rid of it, and it can still be found on the walls and window sills of homes built before that date.
One of the reasons the government acted was because children are especially vulnerable to the metal. It is absorbed faster into their little bodies. Their brains and nervous systems are easily affected by the metal. Babies and toddlers are known to put everything into their mouths.
There were cases in which small children were poisoned, some of them dying, from chewing on affected window sills. Peeling and flaking paint will get into clothes, food, and carpet. Breathing the dust is dangerous.
If you are buying a home built before 1978, and have small children, you have reason for concern. The real estate contract you sign will have a disclosure statement attached to it. This statement allows you a certain length of time to have the home inspected for the presence of the metal and raise any objections you have. You should not waive your right to the inspection.
You should also consider having a property assessed if you plan to remodel. A renovation will create dust particles and flaking paints that could be toxic to anyone who breathes the air. You need to have a professional come in and go through the house before you start tearing down walls or taking out windows.
There is a difference between an inspection and a risk assessment. An inspector will go through the house to determine if there is in fact lead based paint in the home and exactly where it is located. Only a certified inspector can handle this job. This is the person you want to hire before you buy a house. If you have small children, and are considering renting an older house or apartment, you might consider hiring this person to conduct an inspection before you sign a lease.
You have a risk assessment done when you know of the presence of the metal and want a professional to assess exactly where it is and how severe it is. The risk assessor has to be certified just like the inspector. After the assessment, you will get a report evaluating your options. The assessor may advise you to remove the metal completely or leave it and inspect on a regular basis.
Leaving the material means regular inspections for wear, dust, and flaking. Homeowners with small children often opt for abatement, which involves completely removing the harmful substance. Once again, you must hire certified professionals to do the job.
Lead is naturally occurring in nature and has its benefits. It can be extremely harmful too. Prior to 1978 paints used in residential houses contained the metal. The federal government banned it for consumer use at that time. There was no remedy required by homeowners to get rid of it, and it can still be found on the walls and window sills of homes built before that date.
One of the reasons the government acted was because children are especially vulnerable to the metal. It is absorbed faster into their little bodies. Their brains and nervous systems are easily affected by the metal. Babies and toddlers are known to put everything into their mouths.
There were cases in which small children were poisoned, some of them dying, from chewing on affected window sills. Peeling and flaking paint will get into clothes, food, and carpet. Breathing the dust is dangerous.
If you are buying a home built before 1978, and have small children, you have reason for concern. The real estate contract you sign will have a disclosure statement attached to it. This statement allows you a certain length of time to have the home inspected for the presence of the metal and raise any objections you have. You should not waive your right to the inspection.
You should also consider having a property assessed if you plan to remodel. A renovation will create dust particles and flaking paints that could be toxic to anyone who breathes the air. You need to have a professional come in and go through the house before you start tearing down walls or taking out windows.
There is a difference between an inspection and a risk assessment. An inspector will go through the house to determine if there is in fact lead based paint in the home and exactly where it is located. Only a certified inspector can handle this job. This is the person you want to hire before you buy a house. If you have small children, and are considering renting an older house or apartment, you might consider hiring this person to conduct an inspection before you sign a lease.
You have a risk assessment done when you know of the presence of the metal and want a professional to assess exactly where it is and how severe it is. The risk assessor has to be certified just like the inspector. After the assessment, you will get a report evaluating your options. The assessor may advise you to remove the metal completely or leave it and inspect on a regular basis.
Leaving the material means regular inspections for wear, dust, and flaking. Homeowners with small children often opt for abatement, which involves completely removing the harmful substance. Once again, you must hire certified professionals to do the job.
About the Author:
Clients looking for lead based paint inspection California area should turn to the following website for all their needs. To find out more about the company, view this page at http://www.aaalead.com.