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| Lead-Safe Renovation |
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| July 01, 2010 - Remodeling |
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| What Homeowners Need to Know |
Renovating your home can be daunting. The last thing you want to worry about is the possible lead-related health risk of some common renovation tasks. Sanding, demolition and siding and window replacement can all disturb lead-based paint, placing you and your family at risk of lead poisoning.
Because of these risks, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Program to help protect homeowners. As of April 22, the legislation requires that workers, including contractors, painters and maintenance personnel, be trained to use lead-safe work practices. Additionally, renovation firms must be EPA-certified.
Because these common remodeling practices can be dangerous to a family's health, it's important for you to learn about a contractor's lead-safe practices before delving into such projects.
"While this legislation does not directly apply to product manufacturers, it has proved to be a challenge for the industry as a whole," says Rich Black, a replacement channel specialist with Ply Gem, a leading manufacturer of home remodeling and building products. "So manufacturers like Ply Gem have taken a lead on this initiative and are working with customers to organize EPA certification-training programs so that they, in turn, can provide clarification and peace of mind to homeowners."
What does the legislation entail?
Under the EPA, the legislation:
* Applies to all remodeling/renovation projects on homes, childcare facilities and schools built before 1978 that contain lead paint.
* Is related to on-site work practices.
* Renovation workers must take an eight-hour training course to become certified on lead-safe practices.
Exemptions include:
* Housing built in 1978 or after. If you are not sure what year your home was built and whether or not it contains lead-based paint, it is the contractor's responsibility to confirm that information.
* Housing for the elderly or disabled, unless a child under the age of 6 lives or is planning to live in the home.
* Homes with no bedrooms, including studio apartments and dormitories.
* Homes declared lead-free by a certified inspector or risk assessor.
* Minor repair work using 6 square feet or less of paint per room inside, or 20 square feet or less of exterior space.
Questions all homeowners should ask
When meeting with a home improvement company or renovation firm, the representative should bring up the issue and provide a government-issued certificate from the EPA showing that their firm has installers who are certified in lead-safe renovation practices. If they do not provide this documentation, homeowners should question if the company is certified.
Also, beware that this legislation may increase the cost of some renovation projects, so homeowners should be careful not to fall for a lower bid from a non-certified contractor.
What the EPA-certification entails
"Before hiring a contractor or renovation firm, it's important to understand the basics of the legislation and what you should expect from your home improvement company," says Keith Pigues, chief marketing officer of Ply Gem.
By law, at least one certified installer needs to be on the job site, with a valid certificate, if it was built before 1978 and contains lead-based paint. To become certified, the contractor must attend an eight-hour course that includes education on the dangers of lead-based paint, hands-on learning of safe demolition, installation and disposal of the debris, as well as a final examination. Those who have taken the course can then provide on-the-job training to his or her helpers, who must also be able to provide a certificate to the homeowner.
For more information on the Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, visit www.epa.gov/lead. For more information on renovating your home with Ply Gem products, visit www.plygem.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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| Repairing Water Damage in the Ceiling |
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| January 16, 2010 - Remodeling |
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| By Leo Nov |
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Water damage in the ceiling usually happens as a result of roof leaks or when a pipe running in the ceiling bursts. In a multiple-story building, if the floor above gets flooded for any reason, the water damage is likely to reach the bottom floor through the ceiling.
Water can damage ceilings in several ways, from causing discoloration as a result of dampness to total disintegration of the ceiling material. Worse, if the ceiling remains damp for just a few days, mold can grow. So, it is important to deal with water damage in the ceiling immediately.
Safety Precautions
Before starting any cleanup or repairs, check if the water is running close to any electrical wiring. If so, shut off the power supply to avoid electric shock. Be careful when standing under a ceiling that might hold too much water because it could cave in on you. A water-damaged ceiling would be soft and cold to the touch. It would be best to inspect the ceiling first before entering a room to see if there are any discoloration or water stains and if the ceiling looks bulging.
10 Steps to Cleanup and Repair
Step 1: Take a moisture reading to find out the extent of the water damage.
Step 2: Reduce the amount of water trapped inside the ceiling by gently punching or poking a tiny hole through the ceiling using a nail or a screw driver. An ice pick or a knife will also do. Be careful when stabbing the ceiling because the water may come rushing all out and flood the room. Also, make sure to put a bucket underneath the hole you're making to collect the water drip.
Step 3: Fix the leak. If the cause of the water damage is a leaking roof, repair the roof immediately if the weather permits it. You can do this on your own or simply call a roof repair professional. If the weather has not cleared yet, making it impossible to seal the roof, then cover it with a canvas or any water-proof sheeting to stop water from coming in through the hole.
If the cause is a burst pipe, stop the supply of water and call a professional plumber to fix the pipe.
Step 4: Once the leak has been fixed, proceed with cleanup by removing all wet ceiling material such as sheetrock and insulation. Scrape away all loose, peeling and swelling drywall or plaster.
Step 5: If there are any salvageable materials, these should be dried with dehumidifiers or other specialized drying equipment.
Step 6: Spray the water-damage area with an anti-mold solution.
Step 7: Proceed with repairs. Install new drywall on your ceiling by screwing or nailing it to the joists. If any insulation was removed, put back new ones before hanging new drywall.
Step 8: Cover the nails or the screws and the joints with a thin coating of mud or joint compound. Then, cover this application with a piece of drywall taping and then over this tape, apply another thin mud layer.
Step 9: Smooth out the mud with a drywall knife. You can also sand the area to make it smoother.
Step 10: Paint the ceiling.
Water damage in the ceiling requires immediate attention to prevent the development of mold. So, it is recommended to call a water damage repair professional who can complete the job quickly, safely and properly.
Leo Nov is the editor of RestorationSOS® - The Most Helpful Restoration Service in America.
With more than 500 locations across the country, the company specializes in residential and commercial cleanup and fire and water restoration, providing 24/7 emergency service at affordable rates. www.restorationsos.com |
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