| Home purchase is a very valuable investment in real | | | | Lead is a chemical component used for the |
| estate, however if you find yourself drawn to the | | | | pigmentation and as a binding agent in many paints |
| idea of buying a historic or older house, then you are | | | | during the 1970s. Several ailments were associated |
| up for a more exciting venture. Older homes have | | | | with lead-based paints such as hearing loss, nervous |
| distinct quality, charm and character which are quite | | | | system damage, reduced IQ, delayed development |
| difficult to restore through the use of modern | | | | and stunted growth among others. Paints containing |
| construction. There are prominent components in | | | | lead are banned in 1978 due to the threat it poses |
| historic houses which must be carefully considered by | | | | especially to young children who have vulnerable |
| home buyers upon their occupancy. Two of the | | | | immune system. Lead can actually affect all the |
| most common materials utilized for the construction | | | | organs in the human body and it can be inhaled |
| of older homes are asbestos and lead. Thus, before | | | | through microscopic dusts. Renovating older homes |
| you make renovation plans for your historic house, | | | | with lead-based paints require a licensed lead |
| check out lead and asbestos first for it usually entails | | | | abatement specialist whom you can find through |
| your safety and the rest of your family and loved | | | | referral from your local house painters. You can |
| ones. | | | | actually prevent the harmful effects of lead paints by |
| What is asbestos? | | | | avoiding scraping, sanding or removing any paint |
| In the years 1950s through the 1970s, asbestos is a | | | | unless you are sure that it is not lead-based. |
| commonly used insulating and fire-resistant material in | | | | Why is it necessary to tackle lead and asbestos |
| boilers and furnaces, which are also durable vinyl floor | | | | during renovation? |
| coverings, sidings and roofing materials. If your house | | | | The primary purpose of lead and asbestos |
| is more than 30 years old, then you can be sure that | | | | abatement is for the safety and health of the |
| the material used for your flooring may be resilient | | | | occupants in the house. Every home owner must |
| old asbestos tiles. Asbestos is actually harmful to | | | | consider this first because of the historical |
| health associated with most cancer cases in the early | | | | background of the harmful effects of these |
| years of its usage. However, the material only poses | | | | chemicals in the body. Renovation of older homes will |
| danger when it is broken since it can release harmful | | | | never be complete without going through this vital |
| fibers in the air. Asbestos abatement or removal is | | | | process. |
| necessary when remodeling a house and you need a | | | | Renovating an ancient home entails more expenses, |
| licensed contractor who can perform the job. It is | | | | time and effort for home owners in order to get the |
| important to note that this material is non-recyclable | | | | best results they need for their property. Lead and |
| therefore always check first with your local building | | | | asbestos may be historic materials but they are still |
| department to know the proper way of dealing with | | | | persistent components in the home which need to be |
| it during renovation. | | | | addressed during renovation. |
| What is lead? | | | | |