Houses built before 1978
Painting a house built before 1978
Paint made before 1978 can contain lead. When paint like that is scraped, sanded or cut, it makes dust that settles in yards and houses. So we work in a set order to keep it on the plastic.
On every house built before 1978
We treat the paint as old paint unless a test says otherwise
Plastic sheeting under the work and over plants we can't move
Doors and windows near the work taped shut
Paint misted and scraped by hand
A HEPA vacuum for chips and dust
A wipe-down and a look before the plastic comes up
The order of work
The order of work
The same steps on every old house. How long each takes depends on the house, and your estimate says.
- 01
Step 1: Before we start
We tell everyone in the house what we'll be doing and where to keep children and pets. We set a clear work area.
- 02
Step 2: Set up
Plastic goes down on the ground and over plants. Doors and windows near the work are closed and taped.
- 03
Step 3: Scrape wet
The paint is misted so dust stays down, then scraped by hand. Edges are feathered with a damp sanding block.
- 04
Step 4: Vacuum as we go
Chips and dust are picked up with a HEPA vacuum from the plastic and the surface, not swept.
- 05
Step 5: Prime and paint
Bare wood is primed and the surface is painted once the clean-up check is done.
- 06
Step 6: Wipe and check
Plastic is folded in on itself. Surfaces and ground are wiped down, and we look the area over before leaving.
What we don't do
Three things we never do on old paint
Dry sanding
Sanding without water or a vacuum makes fine dust that travels.
Open flame or heat guns
Burning or heating old paint off the wall puts fumes and dust in the air.
Power sanding without a vacuum
Sanders only run with a HEPA vacuum attached, or they stay in the truck.
Look us up
Our firm numbers
The state and the EPA both keep public lists. Check any painting firm there, including ours. The numbers are also in the footer.
Questions we get most
My house was built before 1978. Does that change anything?
Yes. The EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule applies to paid work that disturbs paint in homes and child-occupied buildings built before 1978. The firm must be EPA Lead-Safe Certified and use set work practices. Our firm number is in the footer, and the Houses built before 1978 page walks through the steps. Your state or city may add rules; we'll tell you what we know.
Will I get a written estimate?
Yes. After we walk the house, we send a written estimate that lists each surface, the repairs, the number of coats, the products and sheens, the colors, cleanup, the schedule and when payments are due.
How do you protect plants, floors and furniture?
Plastic and drop cloths go down under every work area, and shrubs near walls are tied back or covered. Inside, floors, stair treads and furniture are covered, and we vacuum at the end of each day.
Ask us about your house's age.
Tell us the year on the form and we'll plan the work to match.