Rhode Island’s rich history is part of its charm—but it also comes with responsibility. If you own or manage a home or commercial property built before 1978, there’s a good chance lead-based paint was used at some point. Whether you’re repainting your historic home in Newport or restoring a commercial property in Providence, it’s essential to understand Rhode Island’s lead paint laws and how they affect your project.
Why Does Lead Paint Matter?
Lead paint, when disturbed, can create hazardous dust and chips that are especially dangerous to children and pregnant women. That’s why federal and state laws require specific safety protocols when working on older buildings.
What Are Rhode Island’s Lead Paint Requirements?
- Lead Safe Certificates: For rental properties, landlords must obtain a Lead Safe Certificate by hiring a licensed inspector after any renovation work.
- Tenant Notification: Rhode Island landlords are required to disclose lead paint information to tenants
What Should Property Owners Do?
- Hire Certified Professionals: Ensure your painter is EPA-certified and experienced with Rhode Island’s laws.
- Request a Lead Test: If your home was built before 1978, have the surfaces tested before sanding or scraping.
- Document Work: Keep detailed records of all renovation work and lead-safe practices.
How Smyth Painting approaches Lead Paint:
There are different ways to approach dealing with lead paint. Encapsulation, Enclosure and Removal.
Encapsulation involves applying a special paint like coating that seals lead paint beneath it, preventing chips or dust from becoming airborne. It is the least invasive and most cost-effective method.
Enclosure: Involves placing a barrier (Such as drywall or paneling over the lead paint surface to keep it sealed. This is a quick way to cover up larger areas, however it doesn’t eliminate the lead hazard – just contains it.
Removal: Physically removing the lead-based paint using methods like wet scraping, heat guns or chemical strippers under EPA approved safety protocols. This permanently eliminates the hazard, and is ideal when surfaces are in very poor condition or being completely redone. However this is very labor intensive and expensive.
We will work with homeowners on what is the best approach for their property!
Contact Smyth Painting Company to discuss your options, and how we can assist you tackling this issue with lead paint.
