Fix water damage from leaks and infiltration. Keep the roof in good repair and keep gutters and downspouts clear.
Tell your tenants to report peeling paint and respond quickly when they do.
Check for peeling paint and repair it every time you or your workers come on the property. Examine units thoroughly at turnover.
Watch out for lead dust when you repair, repaint or renovate
Seal off the
work area by covering floors, doors, furniture, windows and vents with
heavy plastic. If possible, remove furniture from the room. Keep
children and pregnant women away from the work area.
Wet down the paint before sanding or scraping to control lead dust.
Avoid
creating dust or paint chips. A power sander or grinder should have a
hood to trap dust and a HEPA vacuum attachment. Do not use power
washing, abrasive blasting, open flame torches, heat guns over 1100°F
or paint strippers that contain methylene chloride.
Workers
should wear protective clothing. Before leaving the work area, workers
should clean or remove their shoes to avoid tracking lead dust around
the property.
Workers should obey all the Federal and Safety safety regulations and have the proper amount of Workmens Compensation Insurance and the owner should be sure to have the proper amount of Business Liability Insurance coverage.
Roll up or fold plastic sheets to keep dust from escaping.
Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to clean all floors and other surfaces where dust can settle
Wash floors, walls and other surfaces with soap and water and rinse with fresh wate
Dispose of debris, towels and wash cloths in heavy plastic bags. Never burn leaded debris.
Conduct a
lead dust test at the end of a job. Contact an environmental lab for a
sampling kit or hire an independent lead professional. Lead dust levels
should be no more than 40 micrograms per square foot on floors. If
levels are higher, clean the area again, then retest.
Make lead safety a habit
Train your staff. Many community colleges and trade associations offer courses in lead-safe practices.
Insist on lead-safe practices when you hire a contractor.
Call in a
certified lead expert if you or your crew do not have experience with
lead hazards. Call 1-888-LEADLIST for a list of lead-service providers.
