How to Remove The Lead Paint?

Lead Paint Removal

DIY lead paint removal is extremely risky if you're not prepared to take the appropriate steps to protect yourself from the exposure to lead dust and paint chips. If you're willing to put in the time and the necessary safety equipment to remove lead paint safely, it's possible to do an easy DIY task.

This blog explains how to get rid of paint with lead from walls. If you have door or window trim that have lead paint, you may want to consider replacing them.

Follow the steps below:

How to Safely Remove the Lead Paint?

Before starting, it is important to assess the state on the surface. If it's not chipping or peeling, lead paint encapsulation is a less risky and less costly method of removing lead paint. If the removal is needed first, you must purchase the required safety equipment.

Prepare the Area for Remediation

The entire room should be covered with two sheets of plastic measuring 6 mil. To ensure that the room isn't contaminated by the other rooms, you'll need to secure the area using sheets of plastic. Apply tape to hang two sheets of plastic measuring 6 mils on the doorways or any place where dust can enter the area. The floor must also be sealed off using two plastic sheets taped along the edges and seams in order to catch dust. HVAC ducts must also be covered, and the system shut off while remediation is taking place.

Begin the Remediation

The most important thing to do when removing lead paint from your home is to minimize the dust levels. This can be achieved by keeping the area moist and employing wet sanding or scraping with wet materials. Utilize the spray bottle with water to spray the area you're working on.

After you've got yourself in the right safety gear, you can start right away. In smaller spaces, scraping is sufficient. For large areas, a combination using chemical strippers as well as power tools and paint scrapers is the best. The aim is to get rid of all lead paint if you're not applying an encapsulant to the paint or to remove paint that's peeling and flaking so that you can prepare the surface to be encapsulated.

Tips for Removing Lead Paint

• The equipment you choose to use will depend on the state that the paint is in, the budget you have as well as your experience, and the size of the surface.

• Paint scrapers are not expensive; however, they require an extended time to cover a wide area. If you are using one, make sure you have additional blades and make sure you use an edged tool.

• Drills without cords, sanders, and specially designed paint removers are all used to get rid of the paint. Be sure to buy the appropriate attachment that will not scratch the wood that is behind the paint. The tools could damage the wall and inflict damage as well. Avoid them if you do not have experience using these power tools.

• The most secure and cost-effective DIY method for the removal of lead paint involves wet scraping and sanding.

• Are you taking a break or eating? Take off your clothing that protects you as soon as you leave the room, and wash your face and hands thoroughly. Wash and store these clothes away from your other clothes, or better yet, dump them in the trash. Lead paint contamination isn't worth the risk.

• While you are working, make use of the vacuum to clean up paint and dust chips. A dry or wet shop vacuum that has a HEPA filter is ideal. This will aid in cleaning up and eliminating dangerous dust particles from the working area and also stop them from spreading across the area.