Older home? Lead-safe rules apply.

Many of Houston's finest homes were built before 1978. Federal rules govern repair work that disturbs old paint, even after a water loss.

What the rule says

• EPA says contractors doing renovation, repair or painting in pre-1978 homes must follow the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule.source [16]
• The rule covers projects that disturb more than six square feet of painted surfaces.source [16]
• Work by a hired contractor is covered. A homeowner doing their own work on an owner-occupied home is not subject to the rule's requirements.source [16]

After a water loss: the emergency provision

EPA says disaster-related renovations are likely to qualify for the emergency provision: unplanned work from a sudden event that, if not addressed immediately, presents a safety or public health hazard or threatens significant property damage. Emergency work is exempt from several requirements, including information distribution, warning signs, containment, waste handling, training and certification, "to the extent necessary to respond to the emergency."source [16]

• Firms are not exempt from the rule's cleaning, cleaning verification and recordkeeping requirements.source [16]
• Once the emergency hazards are addressed, the emergency provision can no longer be used. Later work, such as repairing a wall or repainting water-stained surfaces, is subject to the full rule.source [16]

Worth asking any contractor

If your home was built before 1978, ask whether the company follows EPA's lead-safe rule for any work beyond the emergency itself, and what they do about cleaning and records.