Contact MargaretPlanning to Renovate Your Older Home?
May 28th, 2010 Categories: Crofton Real Estate
IF YOU LIVE IN OLD CROFTON, BELAIR AT BOWIE, FOUR SEASONS ESTATES or any other older community in the area, this is important for you to read:
A new law went into effect on April 22, 2010 that will impact any work you have done on your home, if it was built before 1978. That describes a lot of homes in the greater Crofton area.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency website, “Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.”
To protect against this risk, on April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under this rule…
Beginning April 22, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
The fine: $32,000
According to information on the EPA website, the certification process for contractors is not expensive or complex, so there is little or no excuse for you to hire any licensed contractor without the EPA certification.
To become a certified renovator, licensed contractors must:
- Take eight hours of class, including 2 hours of hands-on training. There are eight accredited renovation training programs within 50 miles of Crofton that are listed on the EPA website.
- Complete a 2–page application.
- Pay a certification fee of $300.
Before you hire someone to rip out that old tile around your tub or knock down the wall between your kitchen and dining room, be sure to ask if they’re EPA certified to work in your pre-1978 home. If they’re not, please share this information with them and encourage them to become certified – or hire someone else who is.
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