Understanding The Importance Of The Lead Based Paint Inspection California Assessors Conduct

By Anna Reed


The idea of buying an older house and renovating it appeals to a lot of people. The quality of workmanship is one of the determining factors. Problems can arise though, because builders of the time were unaware of the potential dangers in some of the materials they used. If you're considering the purchase of an old home, you need the lead based paint inspection California sellers are required to offer.

Lead occurs naturally and is beneficial in many respects. It is also a dangerous toxin. Prior to 1978 houses were routinely painted with materials that included the metal. A federal law was passed that year banning its use by consumers. Homeowners were not required to do anything about the toxic paints they already had in their houses.

One reason for the concern is that children are particularly vulnerable to this metal. Their bodies absorb it faster, and their nervous systems and brains are more easily affected by it. All parents know that babies and toddlers put everything in their mouths.

In old houses, children have chewed on window sills that have the metal in the paints. If the paints are flaking, pieces can get into carpet, food, and on family members clothes. The dust is toxic.

If you have little kids, you need to concerned if you are thinking about buying an older home. The real estate contract you sign will have an attached disclosure statement regarding the possibility of toxic paint. You have the option to inspect the property prior to closing or waive the inspection. No one with small children should waive the inspection.

Before you start renovating you need to hire an inspector and get an assessment. Remodeling will jar paints loose from walls and cause it to flake. Dust particles will be released into the air you are breathing. Before any demolition begins you should have a profession thoroughly inspect the property.

An inspection and a risk assessment are not the same thing. Inspections will tell you whether or not the paint is in the house and where it's located. You must have a professional inspector, who is certified, do the job. This is the person you need to inspect a house prior to buying it. If you are going to rent a property built before 1978, and you have little children, you should consider hiring an inspector before signing the lease.

A risk assessment is an investigation of a property to determine the location and severity of the hazardous material. Just like the inspector, the risk assessor must be certified. After conducting the assessment, the assessor will meet with the client to discuss the possibilities of controlling the problem or removing it altogether. An inspection and an assessment can be combined.

If you don't have children or pets, and don't plan on having them, you might decide to leave the painted surfaces as they are. Most parents are too nervous to do anything but completely remove the toxin. The abatement must be conducted by an experienced professional.




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