Many of the beautiful homes in South Farmingdale and Nassau County were built during the post-war boom of the 1950s and 60s. While these homes have character and “good bones,” they also often contain a hidden hazard: Lead-Based Paint.

If you are planning to tear down a wall, replace windows, or sand down old cabinets in a home built before 1978, you need to be aware of the federal safety rules. At Lee Home Improvement, we don’t just build beautiful spaces; we build safe ones.

The Dust Danger

Lead paint is generally not dangerous when it is intact and undisturbed on a wall. The danger arises during renovation. When we hammer, sand, or demolish surfaces painted with lead, it creates toxic dust. This dust is invisible, odorless, and can settle on furniture, toys, and floors.

For young children, lead exposure can cause serious developmental issues. For adults, it can lead to high blood pressure and kidney problems. This is why “DIY” demolition in an older home is risky.

The EPA RRP Rule

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule. This law requires that firms performing renovation for compensation in homes built before 1978 must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

How We Keep You Safe

When Lee Home Improvement works on an older home, we take extra precautions:

• Containment: We seal off the work area with heavy plastic sheeting to keep dust from spreading to the rest of the house.
• Minimizing Dust: We use HEPA-vacuum attachments on our tools to capture dust the moment it is created.
• Thorough Cleanup: We don’t just sweep. We wet-wipe surfaces and HEPA-vacuum the entire area before we call the job done.

Build with Confidence

owning a historic or mid-century home requires special care. Trust a contractor who understands the regulations and prioritizes your family’s health.

Call Lee Home Improvement today for a safe, compliant renovation consultation.