Homes built before 1978 would have been painted with lead paint. If untreated, lead paint can be harmful to your health.
Lead paint needs to be removed or painted over to stop it’s toxicity affecting the health of its residents. Professional remediation of lead paint is advisable to stop any future hazard.
Does homeowners insurance cover lead paint removal?
Most insurances don’t. If you need to have insurance for lead paint removal, abatement, or treatment, you’ll have to get a separate insurance package. Some insurance companies also exclude lead poisoning from their cover.
The main reason for this is the fact that lead removal is quite expensive. It can cost you as low as $100 and as high as $20,000.
Therefore, you have to read the exclusion section of your insurance carefully before putting in your signature.
If you’re not sure whether your insurance covers this service, contact your insurance agent.
Can you sell a house with lead paint?
Yes! While lead is poisonous and dangerous, it’s still possible to sell a house with lead paint. The only requirement by law is that you have to inform the new buyers of the presence of lead beforehand.
Many real estate agents also recommend painting over the lead paint to maintain its fresh new look.
You should, however, know that lead paint can affect the overall market value of your home. This is because the buyers know the impact of lead on their kids and pets and understand that they might spend a fortune to make it safer again.
What neutralizes lead paint?
Trisodium phosphate (TSP) or other phosphate-free biodegradable detergents. TSP is widely effective as it converts lead into lead phosphate. However, this product is still poisonous, and it’s banned in several states across the country.
Phosphate-free detergents are preferred because they easily attract and stabilize lead. They also don’t have any pollution impact on the environment.
How long does it take to de-lead a house?
Between 2 – 6 months, but this could take way longer or relatively shorter. It all depends on several factors, including the home’s size and whether or not a child has been poisoned.
If your landlord receives a correction violation order from your local board of health, they are required to complete the job in 30 – 60 days.
In the meantime, it’s advisable for the homeowners to book a rental hotel or crash at a friend’s or relative’s place until the house is entirely safe.
You should only delead your home as a DIY if you already have some experience and the proper certification to handle it. Otherwise, leave it to the experts.
Is it safe to perform lead paint abatement yourself?
No! lead is largely known to be very poisonous for your health. Even when working with small portions of lead in your home, most experts recommend hiring an EPA certified contractor.
The contractor has all the equipment and training to safely handle the job without posing any risks to your family. This includes the HEPA vacuums to clean lead dust from your home.
However, homeowners with some experience in lead abatement and removal can always complete the job as a DIY. You can always hire the HEPA vacuums for $35 – $45, or by one for at least $300.
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