[MassHistPres] Restoring windows and lead paint issues

[Alison Hardy]

Having recently participated in a deleading project, I have some insight.
Windows (or anything) that is dip stripped in chemicals are most likely 
to have residual lead after stripping and refinishing. Our process uses 
steam, infrared heat and hand scraping. The Cambridge lead paint 
inspector did a visual inspection which we passed with flying colors, 
and then at my insistence used the Xray camera and could not detect lead 
on the window sash. As I understand it, the dip stripping process can 
soak the lead and chemicals further into the wood so removing the 
surface paint in an effort to remove the rest of the paint would not be 
successful.
Our process is no more expensive than other methods.
As I understand it, if you are going for compliance you would need to 
start the process by using a certified deleading company. They can use 
any subcontractors and any process they want for the actual parts 
stripping done off site.
As to getting a visual inspection on sash before repainting, if a client 
informed us that there was a potential that a property could be a rental 
in the future we could look into having this done. There is currently no 
process to do this. When we have asked to have sash tested in the past 
we were told that we could not use state inspectors for this as it has 
to be part of a deleading project. We have not even been able to locate 
a lab that would test them "on the record." The Cambridge lead inspector 
was not even aware that steam stripping was possible and acknowledged 
that the regulations only mention chemical or physical paint removal.
The sad news is this type of regulation leads to discrimination in the 
housing market as property owners with older buildings are disinclined 
to rent to tenants with children, or encouraged to ruin the value and 
character of older buildings with replacement windows. And also a future 
financial burden to the property owner who will face replacing the 
replacement windows in 15-20 years.

Alison Hardy
Window Woman of New England

Madelyn Mitton wrote:
>
> There have been many postings related to the historic windows vs 
> replacement windows from an energy efficiency standpoint.  
>
>  
>
> What I am inquiring about is the difficulty / cost of restoring 
> historic windows compared to using replacement windows to meet 
> compliance with the Massachusetts lead paint laws.    
>
>  
>
> In Massachusetts " The Lead Law requires the removal or covering of 
> lead paint hazards in homes built before 1978 *where any children 
> under six live*."    Reference info  at 
> http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=6&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Laws%2c+Regulations+and+Policies&L3=Department+of+Public+Health+Regulations+%26+Policies&L4=Regulations+and+Other+Publications+-+I+to+L&L5=Lead+-+The+Massachusetts+Lead+Law+and+Legal+Documents&sid=Eeohhs2&b=terminalcontent&f=dph_environmental_lead_g_lead_law_require&csid=Eeohhs2 
> <http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=6&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Laws%2c+Regulations+and+Policies&L3=Department+of+Public+Health+Regulations+%26+Policies&L4=Regulations+and+Other+Publications+-+I+to+L&L5=Lead+-+The+Massachusetts+Lead+Law+and+Legal+Documents&sid=Eeohhs2&b=terminalcontent&f=dph_environmental_lead_g_lead_law_require&csid=Eeohhs2>
>
>  
>
> Windows are the most difficult to meet compliance as several parts of 
> the windows are considered movable / impacted surfaces and those 
> components must be "deleaded in entirety." 
>
>  
>
> Even if you have your window sash stripped and reglazed, once 
> repainted they will sometimes (potentially often) test positive for 
> lead.    On a recent project of 14 pairs of window sash that where 
> stripped and reglazed by 2 different well-known companies, only 3 
> windows had lead levels low enough to be considered compliant.    If 
> the windows had been visually inspected by lead inspector when 
> completely stripped, the windows would currently be considered 
> compliant.    Photos and invoices to show this work was done is not 
> sufficient proof per the lead inspector I worked with. 
>
>  
>
> You also need to get the fixed parts of the windows that are impacted 
> by the movable sash 'deleaded in entirety'.  In most or all cases this 
> would need to be done by a licensed deleader.  A licensed deleader may 
> hand scrap to bare wood, cover or remove (As I am not a licensed 
> deleader so you would need to refer to a licensed deleader to verify 
> these options and determine if there are other options).
>
>  
>
> Questions:
>
> 1. Is there a cost effective way to get historic windows into 
> compliance with the Massachusetts lead paint laws?
>
>  
>
> 2. Is anyone aware of a way to get compliance on a window sash that 
> has previously been stripped to bare wood, but now repainted and when 
> tested with X-Ray, tests over the maximum?          
>
>  
>
> 3. Is there any plan to inform historic window restoration companies 
> about the benefits of suggesting to clients that they have the windows 
> visually inspected when the windows are stripped?   (potentially 
> saving thousands of dollars when having to have the windows stripped 
> again when a child under 6 moves in or installing replacement windows 
> to comply)
>
>  
>
>  
>
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