Wednesday, December 30, 2009

What should I do about the latex paint that is falling off and exposing lead based paint?

Willma has caused my walls and ceilings to blister, peel, flake, exposing lead paint on plaster walls and ceilings. Since paint was in good condition when I came in 1994,[the lead paint law was in effect in 1996!] I painted over it in latex and enamal paints. I do not know if it was a problem before Willma. Lead paint is here now on bad, uneven surfaces now.What should I do about the latex paint that is falling off and exposing lead based paint?
Put a fan in the window blowing air out, open other windows and systematically ventilate the home. Stabilize loose paint keeping it moist at all times, rinse clean, surfaces that are accessible to children should in the end be smooth and cleanable. Patch smooth rather than sanding down. Use the muds that you mix with water from the dry powder to patch, when it has starting setting like cement smooth out with damp sponge with the scrubbies on one side if needed. Prime with a stain blocker, not Kilz which causes harmful fumes. Always work wet. If you are working in a manner which you think requires a respirator I ask you when is it safe to take the respirator off and breath freely? Never generate an airborne dust. Wipe all surfaces clean, rinse with clean running water your sponges. Use a cotton or cellulose mop for floors and take the cotton mop head off and rinse with running clean water inbetween wipes. Leave your shoes at the door. The leaded gasoline pollution residual dust left over in historic traffic areas contains dust your vacuum cleaner cannot trap. Keep soil from eroding onto your sidewalks. Treat all paint, soil and dust as if it is lead laden.What should I do about the latex paint that is falling off and exposing lead based paint?
Lead paint is only harmful if inhaled or injested. WEARING A RESPORATOR!, I would scrape off the peeling paint and seal the areas in a good alkyd (OIL) based primer. Then do any patching needed, and repaint.

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