Lead-Based Paint Regulations Protect Charlotte Residents

Get The Lead Out® would like you to know that lead-based paint regulations protect Charlotte residents. If you are considering remodeling or renovating your home, you need to be aware of the dangers of lead exposure. Lead-based paint was used in the majority of homes before it was banned in 1978. Common renovation activities, such as sanding, cutting, and demolition, can create hazardous dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint. This lead-contaminated dust is the most common source of lead exposure for children. Young children, under the age of six, are the most vulnerable to these dangers because it affects their developing brains and nervous systems.

In order to protect residents and workers, North Carolina has enacted laws requiring the use of lead-safe work practices and other actions to prevent lead poisoning when lead-based paint is disturbed during renovation and remodeling work. "Under this law, contractors, property managers and other paid workers doing renovations, constructions or repairs in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978, must be trained and certified," says Kathryn Hubicki, President of Get The Lead Out®.

Because Charlotte is an older city, many of the homes were built before 1978 and contain lead-based paints. Get The Lead Out® is certified in lead paint inspection, testing, and removal. "We have 19 years of experience and have performed thousands of lead paint inspections," says Hubicki.

If you suspect that your home may contain lead paint, please call Pete Hubicki with Get The Lead Out® at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.biz to arrange a lead paint inspection and test.  We will uncover whether your home tests positive for the presence of lead paint!

Should Pregnant Women’s Homes be Tested for Lead Paint in Charlotte?

Get The Lead Out® in Charlotte has been noticing some interesting trends in protecting children, pregnant women and unborn infants against the dangers of exposure to lead paint and lead paint poisoning.  One of these really interesting programs is taking place in St. Louis, MO.

In a nutshell, the program in the city of St. Louis tests the homes of pregnant women for the presence of lead paint and removes any before the baby is born.  This type of “SWAT-team” approach can eliminate or reduce the children’s exposure to lead paint.

Get The Lead Out® knows that approximately 250,000 children are exposed to dangerous levels of lead paint and become poisoned.  Experts report that as many as twice that amount, or 500,000, children are affected.  Lead permanently damages a child’s brain, lowering IQ and causing lifelong behavior problems and learning disabilities.  (Source, March 2, 2012 article from NPR)

Even though the United States has had a real effort of removing lead paint from substandard housing, there are approximately 24 million houses and apartments in the US that are still thought to have lead paint, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Congress recently cut funding for lead testing of children from $30 million to $2 million.  This money is given to local health departments to pay for children’s blood tests.  You can read more about the funding cut here.

How Can Get The Lead Out® Help?

Get The Lead Out® is an experienced, professional lead paint inspection, lead paint testing and lead paint removal company.  We have more than 18 years of experience working with all types of housing and community housing neighborhoods.

Lead paint poisoning and the detection and removal of dangerous lead paint has become one of our country’s most highly regulated environmental issues.  We have performed thousands of lead inspections, site assessments, and risk assessment projects.  Our clients trust us for providing cost-saving, environmentally-effective and safe solutions to locate and remove any lead paint discovered.

A typical lead paint test from Get The Lead Out® starts at $400 for an average 1,500 sq.ft. home.  Our basic $400 lead paint test includes professional testing with one of our licensed, experienced Lead Assessors, along with a comprehensive inspection report that will contain the lead-based paint findings from your home.

To learn more about lead paint testing, or to schedule your lead paint test, please call Kathryn Hubicki at 704-376-3594 or email koh@gettheleadout.biz.  We can help!

Technorati Tags: charlotte lead paint inspections,charlotte lead paint poisoning,charlotte lead paint safety for kids,charlotte lead paint removal company,charlotte lead paint abatement company

Protecting Charlotte Children from the Affects of Lead Paint Poisoning

It’s a national statistic that approximately 1 million children are affected by lead poisoning annually.  Get The Lead Out® in Charlotte wants you to know that lead poisoning is 100% preventable when you know what to look for and what to do.

There is a good chance that any home, building, school or daycare center built before 1978 in Charlotte contains some lead paint.  And just a  few particles of dust from lead-based paint are enough to poison a child, with the effects possibly lasting a lifetime.

There are “danger zones” around your home where the presence of lead paint can be found or introduced.  The graphic below is an interactive website tool that can show you and your children where the presence of lead paint might be found in your home.  Click on the graphic to visit the actual website.

Q. How does lead get into my children's bodies?

A. It enters the body through the mouth or nose. Lead is not absorbed through the skin.

Q. How do I know if my children have been exposed?

A. Sometimes there are no symptoms. The best way is to get a blood test from your pediatrician. Many people mistake the symptoms of lead poisoning for other common illnesses like a cold or flu.

Visit this website link to view an entire section of content on how to protect our children from lead paint exposure and lead paint poisoning.

If you suspect that your home may contain lead paint, please call Pete Hubicki with Get The Lead Out® at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.biz to arrange a lead paint inspection and test.  We will uncover whether your home tests positive for the presence of lead paint!

Technorati Tags: charlotte lead paint inspection company,charlotte lead paint testing company,charlotte lead paint poisoning,charlotte lead paint children poisoning

Charlotte’s Lead Paint Inspection & Lead Paint Testing Company says to Check for Lead Paint Before Any Remodeling Work at Home

Get The Lead Out® likes to remind all homeowners with homes built prior to 1978 to use extreme caution before beginning any spring remodeling or renovation projects!  Lead paint was used in the construction of homes built prior to 1978, and there are many homes around our Charlotte area that were constructed prior to 1978 and could have lead paint.

To protect against the risk of exposing dangerous lead paint during home renovations, on April 22, 2008, EPA issued the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. It requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools be certified by EPA and that they use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices.

Contractors must use lead-safe work practices and follow these three simple procedures:

• Contain the work area.
• Minimize dust.
• Clean up thoroughly.

If you are a homeowner performing renovation, repair, or painting work in your own home, EPA's RRP rule does not cover your project. However, you have the ultimate responsibility for the safety of your family or children in your care. If you are living in a pre-1978 home and planning to do painting or repairs, please read a copy of EPA's Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools (PDF) lead hazard information pamphlet.

If your home was built before 1978, there could be a good chance that lead fibers or lead paint were used in the initial construction of your home.  Please call Get The Lead Out® at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.com.  Do not deal with the removal of lead paint or lead substances on your own!  Disturbing the lead from paint or pipe wrapping could cause lead-contaminated dust to be freed and inhaled by you or your children.

Technorati Tags: charlotte lead paint inspection,charlotte lead paint testing company,charlotte lead paint inspectors,lead paint inspections,lead paint testing

Charlotte Lead Paint Inspections for Section 8 Housing

Get The Lead Out® just began working with a client who resides in Section 8 housing with the Charlotte Housing Authority.  This particular problem deals with black, bioorganic growth called mold.  And mold identification and safe removal is a common challenge for many homes and homeowners across Charlotte.  But so is the detection of lead paint.

Get The Lead Out® provides a turnkey, professional lead paint inspection and abatement program for Section 8 Housing across Greater Charlotte.  Our lead paint inspectors are highly-trained, skilled and experienced at identifying possible lead paint presence and associated dangers.



Because so many of our Charlotte Section 8 Housing was built prior to 1978, there is a probability that lead-based paint was used in the construction or renovation process.

Please call Get The Lead Out® at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.com.  Do not deal with the removal of lead paint or lead substances on your own! Or please call the Charlotte Housing Authority to obtain proper and professional lead paint inspection and removal specialists like Get The Lead Out®.  We’re large enough to serve you, yet small enough to care!

Technorati Tags: charlotte lead paint inspection company,charlotte section 8 housing lead paint inspections,charlotte housing authority lead paint inspections

What Does Get The Lead Out® in Charlotte Do with Lead Paint Inspections?

Since 1993, Get The Lead Out® in Charlotte has performed thousands of lead paint inspections on homes, apartment buildings, commercial and educational buildings, and even garages and workshops.  We started Get The Lead Out® almost 19 years ago to become the premier lead paint inspection, testing and removal company serving Charlotte and the Carolinas.

“Probably the biggest question we get on almost a daily basis is ‘how do you test for the presence of lead paint in my house?’” says Pete Hubicki of Get The Lead Out®.  “Our answer is always the same:  It’s part scientific, part experience, part explorer, and part problem-solver.”

Lead Paint Inspections in Charlotte

Get The Lead Out® is a full-service property inspection, remediation, and management services firm dedicated to providing superior environmental inspection and testing.  Our profession is dangerous because we work with dangerous substances like lead paint, mold, asbestos and radon gas.  We always mitigate the danger because we are extremely safe and approach each project with experience and scientific exploration to virtually eliminate our risk of exposure.

Lead paint inspections are scientific exploration and collection of suspected lead paint material in your home, school or church.  Our licensed lead paint inspectors visit your property and carefully collect specimens from strategic points throughout your home.  We then transport these specimens to the laboratory to examine them closely under microscopic conditions to determine if there is a presence of lead in the samples we collected.

If the report shows a presence of lead paint in your home, we can then work with you on several plans of approach to safely remove the lead and make your home safe and lead-free.

“Our lead paint inspectors are educated, trained, experienced and licensed before they join our team,” said Hubicki.  “We take the dangers of lead paint seriously because our homeowners and customers are depending on us to identify possible presence and then safely and professionally remove the offending lead paint presence.”

If your home was built before 1978, there could be a good chance that lead fibers or lead paint were used in the initial construction of your home.  Please call Get The Lead Out® at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.com.  Do not deal with the removal of lead paint or lead substances on your own!  Disturbing the lead from paint or pipe wrapping could cause lead-contaminated dust to be freed and inhaled by you or your children.

Technorati Tags: charlotte lead paint inspections,charlotte lead paint testing,charlotte lead paint removal,lead paint testing in charlotte

Charlotte Lead Paint Inspections for Home and Apartment Renters

Get The Lead Out® receives many inquiries about lead paint inspections for rental homes and apartments.  Is the landlord responsible for testing your rental for the presence of lead paint?  Is the landlord required to let you know if your rental unit has lead paint within your premises?

Many houses and apartments built before 1978 have paint that contains lead (called lead-based paint). Lead from paint, chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards if not taken care of properly.

Federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renting a pre-1978 house:

LANDLORDS must disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before leases take effect. Leases must include a disclosure form about lead-based paint.

In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint.  And we have many subdivisions and homes around Greater Charlotte that were built prior to 1978.  It is part of our city’s charm and attraction.  All landlords are required to tell both their new and old tenants if they know of any lead based paint in the apartment or rental home. The landlord also must give tenants any reports that he may have concerning any tests for lead paint in the apartment.

There are federal laws which help protect home and apartment renters from the dangers of lead paint.  You can always contact the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) by visiting their website here.  Get The Lead Out® is a certified and professionally-licensed lead paint inspection and lead paint removal company.

If you would like to learn more about lead paint inspections and lead paint safety, please contact Pete Hubicki of Get The Lead Out® at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.biz.  We can help apartment owners and landlords with the professional testing for the presence of lead paint and the removal of lead paint if it is found!

Technorati Tags: charlotte lead paint inspection company,charlotte lead paint testing company,charlotte lead paint removal company,charlotte lead paint inspections for home rentals

Is a 203k FHA Home Loan Right for You?

Get The Lead Out® is excited about the recent surge in popularity about the 203k FHA Home Loan program!  203(k) loans are becoming more popular than ever.  This is because there are so many foreclosures on the market that need repairs. 

203(k) loans will allow you to do repairs up to FHA limits in your area, but have a minimum of $5,000 that goes toward repairs.   This loan allows a customer to finance the purchase price, or the existing balance, and the cost of improvements into the loan amount.

There is one closing and funds are held into an escrow account and dispersed as work is completed.  The program has the same guidelines as the regular FHA program and can be combined with the HUD $100 down program.  You can have up to 6 months to complete the work!

Get The Lead Out® performs lead paint inspections and mold inspections for 203k FHA home loan programs.  Our professional lead paint and mold inspection teams will perform an overall inspection and alert you and your bank to the presence of lead paint, lead dust or mold.  If the presence is discovered, we can safely manage the removal of the lead paint and mold.

To find out more about our lead paint inspections and mold inspection programs for the 203k FHA home loan process, please call Pete Hubicki at Get The Lead Out® at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.biz.  We can work directly with you or your lender!

Technorati Tags: charlotte FHA home loan lead inspections,lead paint inspections charlotte,charlotte 203k fhA home loans

Lead Paint Project Designer Certification Earned by Pete Hubicki of Get The Lead Out in Charlotte NC

Charlotte-based Get The Lead Out® announces that Peter M. Hubicki, principal scientist at Get The Lead Out®, has earned the Lead Project Designer certification from the Health Hazards Control Unit (HHCU) of the State of North Carolina. The Project Designer certification allows Hubicki to legally work as a Lead Project Designer on large lead paint-based abatement projects like multi-family apartment units.

Get The Lead Out® and Pete Hubicki have been performing lead paint inspections and abatement since the company opened in 1993. Lead paint abatement is the safe and managed containment and removal of lead-based paint that exists in older apartment buildings, homes, businesses or child care facilities around our state.

“The certification of the word ‘Design’ means a written or graphic plan prepared by a certified project designer specifying how a lead paint abatement project will be performed,” said Hubicki. “This includes, but is not limited to, scope of work and technical specifications of the lead paint abatement project. “

With the Lead Designer certification, Hubicki becomes one of only three licensed and certified lead paint abatement design professionals in Charlotte. The certification allows Hubicki and his company, Get The Lead Out®, to legally manage much larger multi-family apartment projects.

“All across the state of North Carolina there are older, larger multi-family apartment communities that are in need of remodeling and repair,” says Hubicki. “Many of these older communities were constructed prior to 1978 when the use of lead-based paint was routine.”

The Project Designer certification allows Hubicki and Get The Lead Out® to draft and create Occupant Protection Plans for larger lead-based paint abatement projects. "Occupant Protection Plan means a written plan which describes the measures and management procedures that will be taken during abatement to protect building occupants from exposure to lead-based paint hazards,” adds Hubicki. “The plan shall be unique to each residential dwelling or child-occupied facility.”

Get The Lead Out® performs lead paint testing and lead paint abatement projects across the southeast and has been selected by the Hilton Hotel chain to provide these services should a natural disaster, like a hurricane, harm one of their properties.

Get The Lead Out® is a Charlotte-based environmental company that specializes in lead paint, asbestos, mold and radon gas testing and abatement services. Since 1993, Get The Lead Out® has worked with thousands of homeowners, property managers, government agencies, and commercial properties on these environmental safety projects.

For information on lead paint inspection schedules and costs, please call Pete Hubicki at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.biz.

Technorati Tags: lead paint project designer certification,nc certified lead paint project designer,apartment lead paint testing,lead paint testing and inspections

 

Charlotte Lead Paint Inspection & Abatement Company Earns NC Lead Project Designer Certification

Charlotte-based Get The Lead Out® announces that Peter M. Hubicki, principal scientist at Get The Lead Out®, has earned the Lead Project Designer certification from the Health Hazards Control Unit (HHCU) of the State of North Carolina. The Project Designer certification allows Hubicki to legally work as a Lead Project Designer on large lead paint-based abatement projects like multi-family apartment units.

Get The Lead Out® and Pete Hubicki have been performing lead paint inspections and abatement since the company opened in 1993. Lead paint abatement is the safe and managed containment and removal of lead-based paint that exists in older apartment buildings, homes, businesses or child care facilities around our state.

“The certification of the word ‘Design’ means a written or graphic plan prepared by a certified project designer specifying how a lead paint abatement project will be performed,” said Hubicki. “This includes, but is not limited to, scope of work and technical specifications of the lead paint abatement project. “

With the Lead Designer certification, Hubicki becomes one of only three licensed and certified lead paint abatement design professionals in Charlotte. The certification allows Hubicki and his company, Get The Lead Out®, to legally manage much larger multi-family apartment projects.

“All across the state of North Carolina there are older, larger multi-family apartment communities that are in need of remodeling and repair,” says  Hubicki. “Many of these older communities were constructed prior to 1978 when the use of lead-based paint was routine.”

The Project Designer certification allows Hubicki and Get The Lead Out® to draft and create Occupant Protection Plans for larger lead-based paint abatement projects. "Occupant Protection Plan means a written plan which describes the measures and management procedures that will be taken during abatement to protect building occupants from exposure to lead-based paint hazards,” adds Hubicki. “The plan shall be unique to each residential dwelling or child-occupied facility.”

Get The Lead Out® performs lead paint testing and lead paint abatement projects across the southeast and has been selected by the Hilton Hotel chain to provide these services should a natural disaster, like a hurricane, harm one of their properties.

About Get The Lead Out®

Get The Lead Out® is a Charlotte-based environmental company that specializes in lead paint, asbestos, mold and radon gas testing and abatement services. Since 1993, Get The Lead Out® has worked with thousands of homeowners, property managers, government agencies, and commercial properties on these environmental safety projects.  For assistance in your next lead paint or asbestos inspection or removal project, please call Pete Hubicki at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.biz.

 

Technorati Tags: charlotte lead paint inspection company,charlotte lead paint abatement company,charlotte NC certified Lead Project Designer,charlotte nc lead paint removal company,lead paint testing,lead paint abatement apartment buildings

 

Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 23-29, 2011 - You Can Help Educate Our Charlotte Community on Lead Paint Testing & Poison Prevention

Get The Lead Out® is joining the National Centers for Disease Control to help spread the word about children and the dangers of exposure to lead paint and lead paint poisoning!  National Lead Poisoning Prevention week is October 23-29, 2011.

Please watch this video and share the video link with young people and their families to help educate more people in our Charlotte community about the dangers of lead paint poisoning!

 

Over the next few weeks, Get The Lead Out® will be working to promote the October 23-29 week and conducting lead paint testing at homes and buildings across the Greater Charlotte area.  If you would like to learn more about lead paint testing, including the basic lead paint test prices, please contact Pete Hubicki at Get The Lead Out® at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.biz.  Please spread the word about Lead Poisoning Prevention Week to be held October 23-29, 2011.  Thank you for your help!

Technorati Tags: lead paint testing charlotte nc,lead paint testing company charlotte nc,lead paint poisoning prevention week charlotte nc

Get The Lead Out® Prepares You for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week!

Get The Lead Out® has conducted thousands of lead paint tests over the past 18+ years.  Keeping children and families safe from the dangers of lead paint and lead poisoning has always been one of our top concerns as our business has grown.

Get The Lead Out® is participating again this year in the National Lead Poisoning Prevention week to be held October 23-29, 2011.  This important program is sponsored every year by the Centers for Disease Control.  They do a fantastic job with getting the word out through national and local media every year to try to educate as many people as possible about the dangers of lead poisoning.

This year’s media push includes so many unique and interactive tools for companies and educators to use through the Internet.  We are sharing one of those tools right here on our Blog post.  To view the tips, just press the “Previous” or “Next” button.  Get your kids to sit with you at the computer and talk with them about these easy-to-understand tips on lead poisoning safety.

 

Technorati Tags: lead paint testing,lead paint poisoning week,lead paint dangers,dangers of lead paint poisoning,lead paint testing charlotte nc,lead paint removal company charlotte nc

 

Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 23-29 2011

Get The Lead Out® is launching a special four-week promotional and marketing campaign to alert residents, schools, and businesses about Lead Poisoning Prevention Week to be held October 23-29, 2011.

Today, childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children, yet an estimated 250,000 U.S. children have elevated blood-lead levels. A simple blood test can prevent permanent damage that will last a lifetime. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Get The Lead Out® in Charlotte are committed to eliminating this burden to public health.

This year's NLPPW theme, "Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future," underscores the importance of testing your home, testing your  child, and learning how to prevent lead poisoning’s serious health effects.

Parents can reduce a child’s exposure to lead in many ways. Here are some simple things you can do to help protect your family:

1. Get your Home Tested. Before you buy an older home, ask for a lead inspection.
2. Get your Child Tested. Even if your young children seem healthy, ask your doctor to test them for lead.

Over the next few weeks, Get The Lead Out® will be working to promote the October 23-29 week and conducting lead paint testing at homes and buildings across the Greater Charlotte area.  If you would like to learn more about lead paint testing, including the basic lead paint test prices, please contact Pete Hubicki at Get The Lead Out® at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.biz.  Please spread the word about Lead Poisoning Prevention Week to be held October 23-29, 2011.  Thank you for your help!

Technorati Tags: lead paint poisoning prevention week charlotte nc,lead paint poisoning children charlotte nc,lead paint testing prevention charlotte nc,charlotte lead paint tests,lead paint testing for your home,lead paint testing for your apartment

Charlotte Lead Paint Testing Company Earns “Best of Charlotte Environmental” Company Award for the 4th Year in 2011

Charlotte lead paint testing and asbestos testing company Get The Lead Out® has been selected for the 2011 Best of Charlotte Award in the Environmental & Ecological Services category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) for the 4th consecutive year.

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

“We are very excited to receive this Charlotte environmental award again in 2011,” said Pete Hubicki of Get The Lead Out®.  “Our lead paint testing, asbestos testing and mold remediation professionals undergo consistent training to provide the best and latest counseling and service to our customers.”

Call Pete Hubicki at Get The Lead Out® at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.biz to learn more about our lead paint and asbestos testing programs for residential, government, apartment housing and commercial buildings!

Technorati Tags: charlotte lead paint testing company,lead paint testing in charlotte nc,asbestos testing in charlotte nc,asbestos testing charlotte,mold remediation charlotte nc

Lead Paint and EPA New Rule Exemptions for Working with Lead Paint

Get The Lead Out® keeps all of our customers informed as to the latest rules and guidelines from the EPA with regards to Lead Paint inspections, Lead  Paint testing, and Lead Paint removal.  Because we work with so many large apartment communities, government properties, and hotel properties, we always want our clients to understand the regulations when 100% knowledge is not present about Lead Paint contamination or presence.

There are some exemptions to the new EPA rules for working with Lead Paint.

Small lead-based Repairs & Maintenance Fix-ups are excluded as follows:

Excluded Lead-based Work:

• Interior work that disturbs less than 6 feet.
• Exterior work that is 20 feet or less that DO NOT involve;
• window replacement
• demolition
• projects involving prohibited practices (e.g. torch removal of paint)
• Renovations that involve identified/specific lead-free components.

Also exempted are senior housing and commercial buildings where children under 6 years of age DO NOT visit more than:

• 2 or more days/week
• 3 or more hours/visit
• 6 or more hours/week
• 60 or more hours/year

The EPA regulations and rules can be confusing when it comes to Lead Paint safety.  We at Get The Lead Out® will always want to reside on the side of safety and real-world knowledge of the presence of dangerous Lead Paint prior to any type of remodeling, painting or refurbishing work is done.

To find out more about our Lead Paint testing, inspecting and removing programs, please call Pete Hubicki at Get The Lead Out® at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.biz. 

 

Technorati Tags: charlotte lead paint testing,lead paint inspections apartment buildings,lead paint inspection company,lead paint removal company,lead paint testing company,apartment building lead paint testing,hotel lead paint testing,hotel lead paint removal

 

Apartment Lead Paint Inspections - EPA Gets Tough on Apartment Property Owners

Get The Lead Out® wants to advise our multi-tenant property owners that new EPA lead removal laws went into effect on April  22, 2011 and require owners to take pro-active measures to remove any and all lead paint from their properties. If you haven’t had your property inspected and tested you should do ASAP — especially if your property was built prior to 1978.

EPA fines are steep and expect competent contractors removing and handling lead-based paint work to increase their prices for doing work on pre-1978 buildings.

Tenants and their attorneys will no doubt focus on whether you’re in compliance or not — even if there is NO lead poisoning issue; lead-based paint or not could get you fined for a violation!

To learn more about these EPA lead paint testing regulations, please call Pete Hubicki at Get The Lead Out® at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.biz.  We can help you uncover any threats or presence of lead paint on your properties!  Get The Lead Out is a member of the National Supplier’s Council, National Apartment Association.

Technorati Tags: apartment lead paint testing,apartment building lead paint,lead paint in apartments,lead paint testing for apartment buildings

Lead Paint Poisoning Can Happen with Renovations in Older Apartment Homes

Get The Lead Out® is always educating homeowners, property owners and residents about the hidden dangers of lead paint poisoning, especially during renovations and remodeling projects.

Lead paint can easily be released into the environment by simple acts of sanding and painting.  Beginning April 22, 2010, federal law requires that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb more than six square feet of paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and trained to follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.  That is directly from the EPA!

Where is Lead Found Around Apartment Homes?

In general, the older your home or apartment building, the greater possibility that there may be a lead paint issue.

• Paint - peeling, chipping or cracked paint chips (also from sanding)
• Soil around a home - soil can pick up lead from exterior paint
• Household dust - lead paint dust being tracked inside from the immediate outside area
• Drinking water - your apartment building could have older plumbing pipes that have lead or lead solder
• Old painted toys and furniture
• Hobbies that use lead - like pottery, stained glass or refinishing furniture

For apartment building managers and property owners, download this special brochure about the dangers of lead paint poisoning from the EPA.

Lead-based paint is a hazard that can be corrected. Get The Lead Out® works with multi-tenant property owners and apartment communities with on-going lead paint and asbestos testing and abatement programs.  For more information about our lead paint testing and asbestos testing programs for multi-tenant properties and apartment communities, please call Pete Hubicki at Get The Lead Out® at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.biz.

Get The Lead Out® is a member of the National Supplier’s Council of the National Apartment Association.

Technorati Tags: lead paint testing for apartment buildings,lead paint inspections apartment buildings,multi tenant lead paint testing,lead paint abatement apartment buildings

Charlotte’s Get The Lead Out Joins the Hilton Hotel Chain Disaster Response Program

Get The Lead Out® was just selected by the Hilton national hotel chain to be involved with their national disaster response program for the eastern seaboard!

Get The Lead Out® is a nationwide lead paint, asbestos, mold and radon gas testing and removal company based here in Charlotte.  We have performed thousands of tests and inspections on all types of buildings and houses since we began in 1993.

Hilton selected Get The Lead Out® to participate in the Hilton Disaster Response Program for our depth of services and experience pertaining to detecting and removing potentially hazardous materials that might surface following some type of disaster.

“Buildings that were constructed prior to the mid-1970′s could have used lead-based paint or asbestos in some part of the building process,” said Get The Lead Out® Principal Scientist Pete Hubicki.  “If there is damage to parts of a building from a tornado or other natural disaster, or maybe a fire, some of these materials could be released or exposed if they existed.”

Get The Lead Out®’s emergency response duties will include identifying possible material threats, isolating these hazards, and safely removing them.

If your company would like to establish an emergency response action plan or program, please call Pete Hubicki at Get The Lead Out® at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.biz.

Technorati Tags: charlotte lead paint testing,charlotte asbestos testing,charlotte mold testing,charlotte radon gas testing,charlotte disaster plan,charlotte lead paint removal,charlotte asbestos removal

Charlotte Remodeling Project - Do You Know if Your Home has Lead Paint or Asbestos?

Are you remodeling a Charlotte home that was built prior to 1978?  If you are, do you know the new rules for remodeling a house that may have lead paint or asbestos?  Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.

Get The Lead Out® is a supporter and proponent of having EPA-certified construction and renovation companies work on your home’s remodeling project if they will disturb lead paint!  Under the current EPA rule, 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.

If you are a homeowner performing renovation, repair, or painting work in your own home, EPA's rule does not cover your project. However, you have the ultimate responsibility for the safety of your family or children in your care!

Get The Lead Out® can help.  We have provided professional, reliable expert lead paint testing since 1993. Our basic $350 lead paint test for a typical  2,000 sq.ft. house will uncover any lead paint within your home.  You will receive an easy-to-read, comprehensive report of our findings.  If we do find traces of lead paint within your house, we will also offer you plans on dealing with it.

It pays for you to know if you have dangerous lead paint in your home before any remodeling or renovation work is performed.  Just be safe!  Call Get The Lead Out® at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.biz and we will talk with you about lead paint testing and schedule your home’s test!

Technorati Tags: charlotte lead paint from remodeling,charlotte remodeling with lead paint,charlotte lead paint testing,charlotte lead paint dust,charlotte remodeling lead paint

Pregnant Women are Extremely Susceptible to Lead Poisoning!

Get The Lead Out® in Charlotte has been promoting the dangers of lead paint poisoning to pregnant women and parents with small children since the mid-1990’s.  Lead paint poisoning in young children is needless and can be avoided with simple, proper lead paint testing and removal if necessary.

Pregnant women are extremely susceptible to lead poisoning, absorbing 50% of the lead they ingest.  Get The Lead Out® supports the wonderful work and efforts of the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning based out of Maryland.  Lead paint poisoning affects over 1 million children today.

Lead can enter a pregnant woman's blood stream and pass through the placenta and harm the unborn child.  This lead poisoning may result in low birth weight, stillbirth or miscarriage.

Pregnant women and new mothers must be cautious and proactive, taking the necessary measures to ensure that their child is born healthy and lead free. If an older home is being renovated, pregnant women and small children should not be present until all debris has been removed and the home vacuumed using a HEPA vacuum.  Nutrition, hand washing and special cleaning practices will help reduce risk.

Get The Lead Out® in Charlotte offers our basic lead paint test starting at $350 for up to a 2,000 sq. ft. house.  You can learn more about our $350 basic lead paint test here.  Call Get The Lead Out® in Charlotte at 704-376-3594 or email peteh@gettheleadout.biz.  We can help you understand more about the dangers of pregnancy and young children being exposed to lead-based paint!

Technorati Tags: charlotte lead paint testing,charlotte lead paint poisoning,charlotte lead paint pregnancy,charlotte lead poisoning in children