Real Issues Behind Lead Paint
When it comes to the health and safety of your family, you do all you can to protect them. That’s why when a water damage occurs, you call your favorite restoration company because you know that without proper remediation, more damage can occur and even mold growth, which is potentially dangerous.
One aspect of home maintenance that many aren’t aware of, and that can be dangerous to health, is when you work with old paint. Perhaps you are remodeling. Or just working on stripping off old paint and repainting. What you are working with could include some element of lead paint.
We all know that leaded paint can be deadly. What some don’t know is how long lead in paint has been with us. Some reports indicate that lead was used in some paint as early as the 4th century BC, and it was used as a thickening agent.
How long has it been used
In modern times, the lead in paint was popular and known to accelerate drying, increase durability, resist moisture, keep a fresh appearance over time, and is easy to clean. But because of the health effects from lead poisoning, it was banned in 1978 for consumer use by the federal government. What was once accepted and embraced and even used in children’s toys was now poison.
One danger of this is that it causes nervous system damage, stunted growth, kidney failure, and more. Children like the taste because it is sweet, so they might put paint chips or flakes they find on the ground, or toys with lead, in their mouths.
If your home was built before 1978, an inspection for this type paint should be done. It has probably already happened, but you need to verify that. For a visual inspection, leaded paint will display what is called “alligatoring”. This happens when the paint cracks and wrinkles, so the painted surface look like it has scales. This doesn’t guarantee you have this kind of paint, but it is a sign. You can also obtain a lead paint test kit from a home improvement or paint store. They are easy to use. You can also have a professional home inspector or restoration company check for lead paint. You want peace of mind.
If you have lead in your paint, or suspect you do, the best thing to do is call your favorite restoration company. They know what to do with any restoration situation, and this is something that must be handled by the experts. After all, it pays to call a pro!
