In 1978, the use of lead paint was officially banned from residential construction. Before that, however, lead paint was used in more than 38 million homes, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Beginning in 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 Dangers of Lead Paint

During a renovation or remodel, dust from lead paint removal can fill the air and be breathed in or small children could ingest lead paint chips that fall from the wall.  For young children, lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, hearing loss and behavior problems. In adults, lead poisoning can lead to hypertension and high blood pressure. Pregnant women run the risk of passing the poison on to their unborn child.

 It is important that you find a remodeler who is trained in lead-safe work practices rather than try to do the work yourself.  To ensure the safety of the home’s occupants, the EPA’s new regulation requires that any major renovation to homes built before 1978 must be performed by a certified lead safe remodeler or renovator employed with a certified lead safe company.

What are Lead-Safe Work Practices?

EPA has a free brochure on their website called “Renovate Right”, which provides guidance to homeowners and contractors about the safe removal of lead paint. Your contractor should follow the specific work practices prescribed by the EPA RRP Rule.

 http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf

Who needs this?

• Anyone who is doing work for compensation on a home or child occupied facility built pre‐1978 that is…

Replacing window(s) (It does not matter if replacement does not fall into square feet requirements below, window(s) are always included).

Disturbing more than 6 square feet of interior painted or coated lead contaminated surfaces.

Disturbing more than 20 square feet of exterior painted or coated lead contaminated surfaces.

What do contractors need to do?

• Complete an 8 hour Wisconsin accredited “Lead Safe Renovation Course” or an 8 hour out of state EPA accredited “Lead Safe Renovation Course”

• Certify your Firm.

Fill out the Wisconsin Department of Health Services “Lead‐ Based Paint Activities & Investigations Certification Application‐ Company”

Pay a fee of $75 to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for a 2 year certification

• Certify the individual that has taken the Lead Safe Renovator Course

Fill out the Wisconsin Department of Health Services “Lead Certification Application – Individual”

Pay a fee of $50 to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for a 2 year certification

Pay an additional $25 processing fee if training was completed out of state

What are the responsibilities of the “Lead Safe Renovator”?

 • Each renovation project must have a certified Lead‐Safe Renovator in charge.

 • The lead safe renovator is responsible for training employees on how to work lead safe.

 • The lead safe renovator must be on the job site during site set‐up and posting of warning signs.

 The lead safe renovator does not have to be on the job site at all times while renovation work is being conducted but does need to be reachable by cell phone and able to return to the jobsite within about 30 minutes.

• The lead safe renovator must be on the job site for take down and clean‐up.

 • The lead safe renovator must personally perform the cleaning verification.

 • The lead safe renovator is responsible for all of the record keeping involved.

Who enforces the “Lead Rule”?

 The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) enforces the Wisconsin Lead‐Safe Renovation Program under Chapter DHS 163, Wisconsin Administrative Code.

 WI DHS is EPA authorized to administer and enforce its own Lead Safe Renovation program.

Where is the Wisconsin rule different than EPA’s?

 • The definition of lead paint is more stringent in the state of WI than EPA’s definition, .06% lead by weight compared with 0.5% lead by weight in the federal definition.

 http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/lead/                      

                        Because the definition allows less lead in paint, there are currently no approved lead paint test kits in WI.

                        Testing for lead in a home needs to be done by a Certified Lead Risk Assessor or Certified Lead Inspector.

• No chemical paint strippers containing methylene chloride are allowed in Wisconsin.

 • No high‐pressure water blasting or hydroblasting is allowed unless conducted in a fully contained work area with HEPA‐filtered exhaust control and water collection.

 • No improperly operating HEPA vacuums are allowed.

 • No dry sweeping, dust, debris or paint chips in a renovation work area is allowed.

What does a general contractor need to know when working with sub‐contractors?

  • The person/firm who has the contract with the homeowner to conduct renovation work must be a certified firm and is responsible for all reporting requirements

 • While it is strongly recommended that all companies involved in a renovation are certified, a general contractor can hire an uncertified lead safe renovator sub‐contractor as long as the following is met:

 • The general is responsible for assuring that other companies are properly trained and certified for the tasks they will perform and that work is performed per the work practice standards

 • An uncertified sub‐contractor may not be in the work area while paint is being disturbed

 • An uncertified sub‐contractor cannot disturb more than 6 sq feet of interior surfaces, 20 sq feet of exterior surfaces or remove or replace windows.

 • The general contractor must educate the uncertified sub‐contractor on:

 • The requirement to keep barriers and containment up, intact, and secured

 • The requirements of entering and exiting the contained work area

 • The general contractor that hires a subcontractor is also responsible for lead‐safe renovation violations committed by the sub.

What does a sub‐contractor need to know when working with a general contractor?

 • The person/firm who has the contract with the homeowner to conduct renovation work must be a certified firm and be responsible for all reporting requirements

 • If the sub‐contractor is going to disturb more than 6 sq feet of interior surfaces, 20 sq feet of exterior surfaces or windows, the sub‐contractor must be a certified firm and perform appropriate tasks

 • If the sub‐contractor is not going to disturb more than 6 sq feet of interior surfaces, 20 sq feet of exterior surfaces or windows the sub‐contractor needs to be aware of the following:

•.The requirements of keeping barriers up, intact and secured until cleaning verification is complete.

•.The requirements of entering and exiting the contained work area.

• The requirement to be trained and certified if disturbing more than the minimum amount of paint.

Pekel Construction is a Certified Lead Safe Company and all of our in-house field staff are Certified Lead Safe Renovators. As a firm specializing in historic and period style home renovations and restorations, our clients can enjoy the piece of mind that Pekel Construction is a qualified firm that cares not only about the quality of the work they produce, but the well being of their clients and their families as well.

A Safe, Accessible Home for All Abilities and Ages

If you’re like the majority of Americans over the age of 45, you want to continue living in a familiar environment throughout your maturing years. According to the AARP, older homeowners overwhelmingly prefer to age in place, which means living in your home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level. 

The NAHB Remodelers of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in collaboration with the NAHB Research Center, NAHB 50+ Housing Council, and AARP developed the Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) program to address the growing number of consumers that will soon require these modifications. While most CAPS professionals are remodelers, an increasing number are general contractors, designers, architects, and health care consultants.

  “ I feel better about being able to stay in the familiar surroundings of my own home now that it has been fixed up by PEKEL. The changes I made to my house — like grab bars, a barrier free bathroom, accessible kitchen remodeling, and better flooring and lighting, were far less expensive than moving to an assisted living apartment!”

Mrs. D. Driese

Questions to ask as you consider remodeling or modifying your home: 

• How should you modify your home to make it more comfortable?
• Who can you rely on to modify your home?
• What is the CAPS designation?
• How should you choose a remodeler?
• What information should you think about?

How should you modify your home to make it more comfortable?
To age-in-place you will probably need to modify your house as you mature to increase access and maneuverability. These modifications range from the installation of bath and shower grab bars and adjustment of countertop heights to the creation of multifunctional first floor master suites and the installation of private elevators. 

Who can you rely on to modify your home?
CAPS professionals have the answers to your questions. They have been taught the strategies and techniques for designing and building aesthetically enriching, barrier-free living environments. 

The CAPS program goes beyond design to address the codes and standards, common remodeling expenditures and projects, product ideas, and resources needed to provide comprehensive and practical aging-in-place solutions. CAPS graduates pledge to uphold a code of ethics and are required to maintain their designation by attending continuing education programs and participating in community service. 

What is the CAPS designation?
A Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) has been trained in: 

• The unique needs of the older adult population and individuals with special needs
• Aging-in-place and special needs home modifications
• Common remodeling projects
• Solutions to common barriers

Keep in mind that when you hire a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, you are buying a service rather than a product. Each CAPS professional draws from a different knowledge base and will approach your project in a different way. No matter where you start in the process, you will eventually need to hire a professional remodeler like PEKEL CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING to actually make the modifications to your home. 

How should you choose a remodeler? 

• Figure out how much money you have to spend on the home modification project.
• Seek referrals from friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and others who have had similar work done.
• Contact trade associations such as the National association of the Remodeling Industry, (Milwaukee NARI) or the Metropolitan Builders Association, (MBA)
• Check with your local or state office of consumer protection and the local Better Business Bureau.
• Verify the remodeler has the appropriate license(s) in your state.
• Look for professional designations such as CAPS, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, CR, Certified Remodeler, CCP, Certified Construction Professional, CLSR, Certified Lead Safe Renovator.
•  Ask your professional remodeler for a written estimate of the work to be done based on a set of plans and specifications. Be prepared to pay for this package.
• Select a professional remodeler with plenty of experience with your type of project. Remember, lowest price does not ensure a successful remodeling project.

What information should you think about? 

• Do I want to add a bathroom and possibly a bedroom to the main level?
• How can I make my kitchen more functional?
• Am I worried about preventing falls?
• How much money can I budget for this project?
• Will I need to get a home equity loan?
• Will other members of my family benefit from modifications?
• Will remodeling increase the energy efficiency of my home?
• Where do I find a professional I can consult with about my needs?

“Our son has been confined to a wheelchair since childhood and was getting too big to safely move in and out of the bathroom and through the house. We had PEKEL a CAPS remodeler build an addition onto our home. The barrier-free bathroom and the new zero clearance entry and mudroom space from the garage with wide halls and doorways have made all the difference for him and for us. The impact on the quality of our lives was profound. He became less self-conscious; we became more confident, and we are are much, much happier.” 

S. and E. Liardly  

If you are considering a remodeling project that will allow you to enjoy and use your home to accomodate aging in place or a special need, you can look to PEKEL with the confidence that we are vetted experts in helping you to do so.

The relevance of green remodeling is driven by many influencing factors; consumers’ acknowledgement of their ecological responsibility and stewardship, depleting natural resources, savvy marketing by manufacturers, and an expanding knowledge base and availability of alternatives to traditional building materials. For now though, it is the cost of and the conservation energy and water that is creating the most profound impact on the relevance of being green.

The act of remodeling an existing dwelling or structure is inherently green. The structural core is largely preserved or added on to, substantially reducing the harvesting of trees for new lumber, new infrastructure is adapted to the existing or substantially improved energy efficient mechanical systems, old un-insulated exteriors are insulated to reduce energy consumption and enhance comfort, and new energy and water management technologies integrated into a project to allow the entire dwelling to be smarter in its use and consumption of resources.

Remodeling parts or all of existing home to enhance its functional needs for space, comfort, maintainability, and livability bodes greater environmental responsibility in contrast to building new from scratch when its un-used products are recycled, re-utilized, donated for re-use, and improves the behavioral characteristics of its total energy consumption. A new energy efficient home built in a remote rural area with no public transportation or near proximity to schools, shopping, and work does little to reduce the carbon footprint on the planet if both spouses must travel 30 miles separately each way to work, drive the kids to each of their schools, sports, shopping, doctors appointments, and spend the weekend on a riding tractor to cut the lawn.

As more environmentally sensitive products and manufactures come online the availability, affordability, and demand of and for these products will prevail. It will continue to be the consumer demand for responsible utilization of natural resources and the rising costs of our resources that will determine the relevance and drive the markets’ and the construction industry response to remodeling green. The advent of a zero emissions vehicle that consumes no fossil fuel and can be electrically recharged exclusively by solar power from a plug in your garage is here. Collecting renewable, (green), energy for a home’s operation is readily available too, but the lines have yet to form to be the first ones on the block to do so, yet.