If you are planning to renovate, remodel or repair your home, then there is a very important task that you must perform: carrying out a lead paint test. Homes that were built about 40 years back had lead paint that might be peeling or wearing away today. This lead is extremely dangerous and harmful for children and adults alike. With the help of the specialists at Lead Paint Removal Brisbane you will be able to remove the lead paint from your home. There is lead paint testing kits and processes available out there that will help you determine the presence of lead in the paint. Following is a simple DIY procedure of lead paint removal for homes.
Step 1:
Clear your room thoroughly by removing every piece of furniture, fixtures, household items etc. As you start with the process, these objects will be exposed to particles of lead, which is avoidable. Also, make sure to close the windows and turn off the HVAC units before beginning with the task.
Step 2:
Next, cover the entire floor, air ducts, door openings, fireplaces, and immovable surfaces with a thick plastic sheet. To secure the plastic sheeting in a way that it has no gaps, you might use a duct tape too.
Step 3:
One of the most important steps in the process of lead paint removal is putting on the safety wear that should include a half-face respirator incorporated with a HEPA approved filter. Do not forget to put on the protective goggles, hat, rubber gloves and disposable overshoes.
Step 4:
Beginning with the work, spray the area with water to reduce the lead particles’ chances of airborne. Areas from where the paint is coming out in peels should be sprayed with water filled in a bottle and then wiped down with sponge or rags soaked in warm water.
Step 5:
Lead paint removal includes two things, one scraping away any paint that is deteriorated and peeling off and two, covering the area with a lead-free paint later. You can use a hand scraper to scrape away the paint in the first place.
Step 6:
As you gradually scrape away the paint, some areas of your wall will get rough. To smoothen this area, you should again spray water. Also, wipe the area absolutely clean with a damp sponge following the water spray. This will ensure that any lead-filled dust particle is also wiped out.
Step 7:
Once the lead paint is removed, you can paint the areas with a lead-free paint. As you need to vacuum your entire work area, you must use a vacuum that comes with a HEPA filter and not the conventional household ones. The leftover debris should also be cleaned with this HEPA-certified vacuum.
Step 8:
Wash the area with warm water filled with an all-purpose cleaner while you are still wearing the protective gear. At last, carefully remove and dispose of the plastic sheeting. Even after vacuuming, this sheet might have some trapped lead particles so; make sure to roll up the sheet and disposing it in a garbage bag.
With proper lead paint removal, whether by yourself or with the help of an expert, you can ensure the health and well being of everyone living in the house.
