Mrs. B’s anxiety was running rampant… Another true story advocating SAFE RENOVATIONS!

The mid-1950s home was located in a quiet Western Maryland neighborhood.  Moving boxes were on the front porch.  A dumpster sat in the driveway full of old cabinets and shelving.  The sound of a saw and hammers resounded from within the home. I was greeted by a friendly face, but I could tell in her expression she was uneasy. We walked in her residence as she explained to me that she just bought the home and was planning on removing a wall and opening up the kitchen space.  She painted a picture of the renovated kitchen with a center island, stylish cabinets, and rustic colors.

Mrs. B explained that she had not been able to sleep after seeing a news report about potential hazardous building materials in older homes.  In looking around at the kitchen I shared the fact that she may be disturbing lead-based painted components and asbestos-containing floor tile and mastic currently in her kitchen.  Her face signaled dismay as she asked, “Why would you think these materials are hazardous?”

Quality paints produced prior to 1979 typically contained lead-based paint.  When knocking out the wall, the disturbance to the painted surfaces would release lead dust into the building.  I highly recommended that she have it tested prior to renovations.  If it is lead-based paint, then she would want to protect herself and the environment from the spread of lead dust.  An XRF Analyzer would indicate the concentration of lead in the paint to help her plan to remove the wall safely.  She asked me to take a reading of the paint.  The analyzer instantly have me a reading of 1.1 mg/cm sq. In Maryland anything at or above 0.7 mg/cm is considered lead-based paint and the proper precautions should be taken when removing.

Then she asked about the floor tile.   The only way to know for sure if the tile contained asbestos is to have it sent to a lab for analysis. We found that it contained 3% Chrysolite.

After a few simple tests, Mrs. B was now able to put a renovation plan in place that includes safe renovation practices that would protect her, her helpers, and her neighborhood.

If you would like more information on lead-based paint or asbestos-containing materials in homes and buildings, please email jm@baxgergroupinc.com for free literature.

To learn more or to join our BREATHE HEALTHY Initiative, visit baxtergroupinc.com.  Request a copy of our BREATHE HEALTHY e-book.

PROTECT Yourself & Your Team from the Health Risks of Remodeling!

POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS OF REMODELING AN OLDER HOME

By RE Resources Team

February 10, 2017 at 3:38 PM

If you’ve recently purchased a fixer-upper and a home remodel is on your agenda, beware of potential health risks. Older homes are notorious for harboring numerous hazards like lead, asbestos, radon, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). Mold and mildew are often another problem when opening up walls during demolition, which allows dangerous pollutants to fill the air you and your family breath. Respiratory problems (or worse) can become serious health issues when you don’t manage these pollutants properly. However, if you’re aware of the risks, you can take measures to minimize the effects these hazards might have both during and after your home remodel. Start by learning what hazards to look for and where they might hide in older houses.

Lead Paint

Lead paint is one of the two most well-known hazards. Prior to the ban of lead paint in 1978, lead was used as a pigment and drying agent for painting homes. Thus, you can assume any house built before the ban probably has lead paint present, though it may be hidden underneath several layers of lead-free paint.

Lead paint was actually banned in Staten Island and throughout New York City in 1960. NY authorities caution homeowners not to remove paint by dry scraping or sanding in homes older than 1960, because dust from lead-based paint is the most common cause of lead poisoning in children.

Certification by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required of any firm performing a home remodel where lead-based paint will be disturbed. Each renovator must also be certified and taught by EPA-approved trainers. Rules for properly disposing of lead-based paint debris varies by municipality, so contact local authorities before disturbing old paint.

Asbestos

Asbestos is the other most well-known hazard and another common problem in older homes. You may find asbestos in old insulation, pipes, floor coverings, cement siding, roofing, ceiling tiles, spackling compound, adhesives and more. Again, contractors or renovators must have EPA accreditation and be fully trained and qualified in the safe removal of asbestos.

The greatest danger from this pollutant is when it becomes airborne, which can happen if you disturb it during a home remodel. Inhaled or ingested asbestos particles can cause lung disease and various cancers, and the symptoms might not even surface for years.

Insulation and pipe coverings are often the most likely and most dangerous source of asbestos in older homes, because the dried material crumbles easily and releases asbestos freely. While asbestos in floor tiles and roof shingles is less likely to become airborne, they should still be handled appropriately.

Keep Dust Down

In most home remodel projects, dust isn’t just the biggest nuisance, it’s also one thing both lead and asbestos have in common. Both pollutants become harmful or even toxic when disturbed and their dust particles present the most danger. It’s important you and your contractor have a dust control plan for every project that produces dust. This could include isolating the area you’re working on from the rest of the house, removing or covering furnishings and sealing all doors and air ducts. While dust is a natural part of the renovation process, capture and minimize dust as much as possible to protect you, your workers and family members.

Avoid Mold Growth

Damp or wet conditions can lead to mold growth. Older homes have had numerous opportunities for various water-related incidents. Leaking roofs, busted pipes, broken water heaters, backed up drains and flood water all leave behind moisture. If each drenching wasn’t properly cleaned up, mold could lurk underneath carpets or other flooring, in the attic or basement and/or behind walls.

Removing flooring or opening up walls with mold contamination can release harmful mold spores into the air. The most toxic is black mold, which is greenish-black and typically slimy, but can appear powdery when it dries out. Respiratory problems and irritation to the mucous membranes are common when you’re exposed to black mold, but it could lead to worse health issues.

Many of the potential health risks associated with remodeling an older home can be serious, chronic or even fatal. Hazardous materials you might encounter could cause balance and coordination issues, breathing difficulties, central nervous system problems, eye irritation, fatigue, frequent cough, frequent headaches, lead poisoning, liver and kidney damage, lung cancer, Mesothelioma, nausea, nose and throat irritation, skin rash and more. Approach any home remodel with caution and order appropriate testing of substances you’re unsure whether they pose a potential threat to your health, because you never know what might be lurking in your home.

To learn more or to join our BREATHE HEALTHY Initiative, visit baxtergroupinc.com.  Request a copy of our BREATHE HEALTHY e-book.

Understanding VOCs in paint and coating materials for a safe and healthy renovation project

Most paint and coating materials off-gas VOCs. Although they may still emit an odor and VOCs, high-quality, low- or no-VOC paint and coating products are available and are a better choice when protecting the quality of the air in indoor environments.

Water-based acrylic latex paints are generally lower in VOCs than other options, are safe to handle, and can be cleaned up with water, reducing the health risks to workers and minimizing hazardous waste.

Review the SDS to confirm that the products contain no lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium or cadmium. Industrial and commercial paints may still contain these components.

Other building materials should be isolated and protected from the off- gassing so as not to absorb the VOCs and emit them back into the air after renovations.

Properly ventilate the area or use negative air machines exhausted to the outdoors during renovations and for a minimum of 72 hours after renovations are completed to minimize any off-gassing or VOCs that may be released in the air.

When sanding building components or painted areas, a respirator should be worn by all workers in the work area.

Work areas and areas adjacent to the work areas should be unoccupied during the application of paint and other coatings. When feasible, consider applying coatings to building components off-site prior to installation.

Prior to application of paints and coatings on-site, cover all surrounding surfaces with poly sheeting to minimize damage and absorption of off- gases.

Follow manufacturers’ recommendations and instruction for application, cleanup, storage, and disposal.

Keep paint and coating containers covered as much as possible to minimize the amount of off-gassing.

To learn more or to join our BREATHE HEALTHY Initiative, visit baxtergroupinc.com.  Request a copy of our BREATHE HEALTHY e-book.

THINGS TO DO so You Have No Regrets After Remodeling

• Make a thorough plan. Start with the end in mind and work backwards with what steps and tasks need done.
• Create a budget and estimate the costs knowing you may need to adjust upwards.
• Careful with the timing . . . what is more important: That the project be complete by a certain date? Or, that your dream renovation be done correctly and to perfection.
• If you lack expertise in certain steps of the project, hire an expert. In the long run, you can save yourself time, money, and aggravation.
• Confirm what building permits, building codes, and regulations may impact your project.
• Prior to starting renovations, have the lead-based paint and asbestos identified so that you can protect yourself during renovations.
• Make sure your renovation project includes safe work practices and personal protective equipment.
• Plan on isolating the work area from other parts of the home or building so as not to contaminate any living spaces.
• 2021 Recommendation: Don’t start the project until you have all the materials and supplies.  Many construction materials are currently on back order.

To learn more or to join our BREATHE HEALTHY Initiative, visit baxtergroupinc.com.  Request a copy of our BREATHE HEALTHY e-book.