Lead-Based Paint can kill you!
A few years ago, the standard paint was lead-based. Eventually, we learned that it is very harmful to humans, and switched the standard. However, if you have an older house, there is a very good chance that your walls could be painted with lead.
Before beginning the process of removing lead paint, it is important to know how to identify lead paint.
Here Are Some Crucial Things to Check For:
- Colour: Lead-based paints tend to be a darker colour than other paints and will often have more of an orange hue.
- Flaking: When you see flaking or cracking on the surface of your home’s walls, it could mean that there is lead underneath.
- Sagging: The siding of your home sags or cracks when you walk around it.
- Discolouration: Your doors and windows are discoloured, especially those near the top of your home (which are less exposed).
If you’re still uncertain whether your home has been painted with lead-based paint, you can have a professional test done. Doing so can help you decide whether or not your house needs any repairs.
And if your home does have lead paint, the next question is: How do you scrape lead paint safely?
There are many ways, and so we’re going to teach you how to safely remove lead-based paint from your walls.
Lead Paint Removal Requirements
- Head sock
- Paper suit
- Ladder (chair will work)
- Spray Bottle
- Bucket
- Gloves
- Plastic Covering
- Masking Tape
- Cartridge Respirator
- HEPA Dry/Wet Vacuum
- Wet Scrapes
STEP 1: Post Signs
Lead-based paint is extremely dangerous.
If you are doing this removal in a public building, make sure you post warning signs to tell the public what you are doing.
You may also want to do some intensive research or ask professionals for advice on lead paint removal regulations in your area before starting.
Paint Quality
At Home Painters Toronto, we only partner with top-quality interior paint brands, such as Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams. By implementing high-quality paints, not only will your home look refreshing and clean, but it will hopefully last you for a longer period of time. When calculating the cost of interior painting, you have to account for any paints we use. This year and in 2024, the expense of paint will account for roughly 10-20% in Toronto. Knowing this information, you should buy high-quality paint because the better the paint, the better the outcome will be. Even if you don’t want to buy something that is a bit out of your price range, there are some good points that are cost-effective. Furthermore, every paint is different, in that they all have different finishes and various prices.
STEP 2: Preparing the Room
As with any job, you will need to prepare the room before Lead Paint Removal. To do this, you must:
- Remove all wall decorations (paintings, curtains, etc.)
- Move all furniture as far away from the wall as possible
- Cover absolutely everything with plastic coverings (except for the walls)
- Send everyone else (who isn’t helping in removing lead from home) out of the building
- Put on all of your equipment (mask, suit, respirator, etc.)
STEP 3: Removing of the Paint
Now it’s time to remove the paint. It is very important that you follow all of the previous steps to the letter. Remember: this stuff can kill you! After you have taken all of the necessary safety precautions, you must:
- Using your spray bottle, spray the walls with water
- Starting at the top, strip the wet paint off the walls using your wet scraps
- Have a bucket underneath the work area to catch as much as possible
- Repeat until the room is stripped of paint.
STEP 4: Disposal of the Paint
Alright, you’re almost done. You’ve stripped the paint off the walls, but what do you do with the paint chips?
- Grab your plastic coverings by the corners and fold them into a bag.
- MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY ALL OF YOUR WASTE IN A PLASTIC BAG.
- Find out your city/province’s Lead paint Removal Laws (Lead Removal Toronto), and do so accordingly.
- Have a shower and wash your hands.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully stripped the paint off of the walls, making your home a little safer in the process.
Of course, if you aren’t up to the task, we can always step in and do the heavy lifting!
