Friday, November 10, 2017

Should You Consider The Lead Abatement Chicago Homeowners Have Chosen In The Past

By Kenneth Ellis


A lot of homeowners prefer older houses, but they can have health dangers if they were built before 1978. Lead in paint was common until the government banned it that year. If you are considering purchasing an older home, you probably need to have it tested for contaminants prior to closing. Depending on the results, you may decide on a lead abatement Chicago contractors perform.

There have been instances where children chewed on window sills, were poisoned and died. Children don't have to ingest the paint to get sick. If it gets into the atmosphere or in the soil around your house, the effects can be equally damaging. Homeowners planning a remodel need to have an inspector check out the house before beginning any work.

If you think your house may be affected, you need to call a certified inspector or risk assessor. An inspector can tell you whether or not the toxin is present. The assessor will test for which substances exist in the house, how serious the contamination is, and exactly where the toxins are located. You can decide to combine both and have an inspection that includes an assessment. Once the tests are concluded, the inspector can discuss the various remedies available to you.

If you get the bad news that you have lead in your home, you must next decide exactly how to handle it. You have two basic options. You can choose to eliminate the hazard completely. This involves hiring a contractor who has the proper training and certifications to do the work. Your second choice is to leave the contaminant where it is and keep it maintained and periodically inspected.

Unless you have encountered this problem before, you may not know how to find someone qualified to assess or inspect your house. The easiest and safest thing to do is contact the Environmental Protection Agency or go to their website. They will give you free information about the nearest certified inspectors in your area.

It is possible that a local agency will take the decision of whether or not to have an abatement out of your hands. They might require that you do so. A lot of people, with young kids, feel like it would be irresponsible to leave a possible toxin right in the path of their youngsters. In this case, they have no choice but to remove the paint.

You can't just call on any contractor to come in and remove your lead problem. You have to hire someone qualified, experienced, and certified. Here again, the EPA can help you. The same forms will get you names of qualified contractors in your area. Be prepared to leave your house while the work is going on.

There are good reasons to buy older homes. They can be charming and affordable. They can also hide dangerous toxins that homeowners have to deal with. You need to be a smart consumer and weigh your options.




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