EPA Lead Law: What You Must Know Before You Renovate or Repair Older Properties

If you pay someone to repair or remodel commercial or residential property built before 1978 or are making renovations or repairs to child occupied properties built before 1978, you are required to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Renovation, Repair & Painting (RRP) Lead Law – legislation that became effective on April 22, 2010

Remodeling, Repair and Renovation

Commercial and residential home remodeling, repair and renovation activities including sanding, cutting, and demolition. These activities can create hazardous lead dust and chips which can be harmful to children and adults. In fact, lead dusting less than 1/16 of a sugar packet will cause irreparable damage to a child’s nervous system, cerebral function and general well being. For this reason, any activity that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities are subject to this RRP Lead Law.

Within this law affecting repairs and renovations to residential properties, schools and childcare facilities, are activities that include:

Remodeling and repair/maintenance
Electrical work
Plumbing

Painting
Carpentry
Windows

What RRP means to you…

Wood or any painted surface being repaired, renovated or painted (RRP) is assumed to be lead contaminated.
This applies to all painted surfaces inside or outside your property.
For interior work, the work area must be lead dust sealed and contained for 6 feet of the work area.
For exterior projects, the sealing and containment distance is 10 feet around the work area.
Specific disposal and wipe clean test methods with the assist of a HEPA vacuum are required for all interior and exterior projects.
At the completion of the job, a retest for lead dusting residue is required.
Penalties for noncompliance are $37,500 for each infraction.

According to the RRP Lead Law, anyone paid to repair, replace or paint in or outside of homes and child occupied facilities built before 1978 must be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Renovation, Remodeling & Painting Rule.

MasterCraft
EPA Lead Certified Contractor

MasterCraft Specialty Exterior Contractor

Trusted Since 1986, homeowners and commercial businesses have trusted John O’Brien, specialty contractor, green builder and owner of MasterCraft to provide exceptional roofing, siding, window replacement services in the Greater Boston area.

Home Improvement Contractor or Hired Worker Requirements …

or your protection, all home improvements and repairs of painted structures should be performed by certified lead removal contractors. The new law requires that contractors remodeling and repairing homes, schools and child care structures complete an EPA Renovation, Repairs and Painting course, pass the RRP certification test and file with the federal government for proper licensing. This assures lead-safe work practice standards to prevent lead contamination.

Home repair and renovation contractors and commercial contractors providing services to schools and child care facilities built before 1978 are required to adhere to the following procedures:

Contain the work area
Minimize dust
Clean up thoroughly

Test for lead dusting
Wipe down work surface area and surrounding areas
Retest for lead presence

Prior to Starting Work on a Residential or Child Occupied Property Built Prior to 1978:

Your contractor should give you a consumer information pamphlet detailing all aspects for the RRP lead law and what you can expect. Further questions can also immediately be answered by going to this hyper link at http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/sbcomplianceguide.pdf

MasterCraft became of the first EPA certified Lead Removal Contractors Providing Commercial and Home Remodeling and Repair Services in the Greater Boston area.

I’m John O’Brien, owner of MasterCraft and specialty contractor serving the Greater Boston area. If your school, childcare facility or home was built before 1978, please call on me to assist you with commercial and home remodeling repair services.

Besides having a reputation for excellence in residential and commercial roofing , siding and window replacement , I am the father of two children and deeply committed to protecting families and the environment from lead contamination. That is why my company, MasterCraft was one of the first home improvement contractors to achieve this EPA certification.

Why Trust John O’Brien, MasterCraft Contractor

Trusted Since 1986 owner John O’Brien will personally meet with you, explain your options and take the time to ensure you understand all of the implications of your green remodel or repair, including any applicable energy rebates. MasterCraft crews are made up of expert professionals who only work in their area of specialization. This specialized approach ensures that your energy savings are protected by expert installation and workmanship in the Greater Boston area

Request a FREE Quote Now!

MasterCraft wants to be your roofing, siding, windows exterior specialty contractor in the Greater Boston MA area. Read what customers say about us and request a free estimate at your location.