Replies

1. 
   DanH | Mar 09, 2004 06:57am | #1

   I don't think there's a simple answer. Depends on how much scraping would have to be done, how badly the siding splinters when it's removed, etc.

   In general, though, exterior lead paint in good condition isn't a significant problem. It's the stuff in the interiors or the flakes that kids might put in their mouth that you need to worry about.

2. 
   alwaysoverbudget | Mar 09, 2004 08:15am | #2

   i hate dealing with exterior lead base paint,i don't think there is a great answer no matter what. unless you got 30k to hire a abattment co. if you repaint you have to prep,that means scrapping,some falls on the ground ,kids play in the dirt... plus it could get tracked in.next thing while ripping it off the house paint is going to flake off,on the plus side it would be gone for good. what about if you vinyl side the house,leave the old siding in place ,cover with a 1/4 insulation board and apply the siding right over the old wood siding,use j channel to cover the window trim or wrap the window trim in metal first.it's hard to decide with little ones in the house even though most of us grew up chewing on baby beds that were lead base,and just look at my speling it didn't hurt me! good luck larry

3. 
   csnow | Mar 09, 2004 05:55pm | #3

   Lead paint is generally less hazardous than sensationalized reports would have us believe, particularly for exterior situations.

   While some paint may indeed be eaten, lead is most dangerous when it becomes friable.  What you want to avoid is creating a fine lead dust.  That means sanding is the worst.  Scraping is not as bad, since the particles are larger.  Wet-scraping can reduce dust even more. Heat guns and plates are not hot enough to vaporize the lead, while a propane torch is.  Chemical removal is a dustless option.  Some specialized power tools have vacuum attachments.

   If the finish is mostly sound, and the siding is good shape, a full residing would not have the best cost/benefit ratio.

   Some common sense precautions:

   Collect lead paint chips on tarps or landscaping fabric, so that it does not get into the soil.  Keep windows closed. Wear a respirator.  Use a HEPA vac for cleanup.  Do not grow edibles in soil near a lead-painted structure, since the soil is likely contaminated from prior scrapings.  Be careful with your dust-contaminated clothing after working.

4. 
   Mark40 | Mar 09, 2004 06:35pm | #4

   I just have a comment regarding the children and possible lead exposure.  My house has lead paint and also arsenic in the plaster.  When we take our kids in for checkups we always request a blood test for arsenic and lead.  My insurance coverage is so-so, but they cover the tests under "well baby" and pay 100% of the charges.  So far the results have been well within acceptable limits. But it does give us piece-of-mind.  Our house is undergoing perpetual renovations.

   Regards

   Mark

1. 
   reganva | Mar 09, 2004 07:50pm | #5

   I'm with Always Overbudget - side over it, wrap the windows.  I have small kids and I sleep better at night knowing its all covered up.  Plus you've eliminated a whole maintenance headached that comes up with a painted house every few years.  I had that problem with my 70 year old frame garage.  Lots of peeling heavily leaded paint right where the kids like to play.  I had an abatement contractor scrap off the loose paint and cover it with a good primer.  Then I put up 1/2" foam board and sided over it.  The abatement guy cost me quite a bit more than a painter would, but they are required by state law to use a process that does not leave any residue behind.  Plus they combed through the dirt and vacummed the concrete around the garage for old paint chips.  I have to say I liked the look of the old clapboards better than the vinyl I put up, but I'm a bit more attached to my kids than I am to the garage. 

   P.S.  When I sided I started off with typical siding nails, but found that the pounding was making more paint break off, so I switched to galvanized screws.  Hopefully, the vinyl will still be able to move the way its suppossed to.

5. 
   DavidThomas | Mar 09, 2004 10:04pm | #6

   "I have a question regarding which way would make the least amount of lead dust/vapors."

   No dry sanding - that's the big one. Seal off the work area from the rest of the house. Clean-up with a HEPA vacuum.

   Since you have a 17-month old, from my recent post:

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=40921.7

   "Because the vector is dust, the peak exposure is to 2 year olds. They are mobile, spend all their time on the floor, and everything goes from hand to mouth. 0-5 brains are developing and lead hurts that a lot, but under 2 are babes in arms and over 2s don't hand-to-mouth as much."

   But why do you "want to get rid of it"? Like asbestos, its presence is not neceassarily a problem. The risk arises only if there is 1) a source, 2) a pathway, 3) a receptor AND those all multiple together to be a significant risk. I'm a new parent too and many of the goofy things we do (get pregnant - run out and buy a Volvo) have no downside, health-wise. But disturbing lead paint or asbestos does have risks that can exceed the original exposure.

   Short answer to the original choice: lay down disposible tarps, mist down, scrape (not sand), and repaint with a good-quality paint. Do it on a no-wind day and throw away the resulting chips in the tarps. Hold off on the most destrcutive remodelling activities until the kids are over 5 - most of the neurons in the brain are connected by then.

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska