Advice on lead in old paint - Advice Sheet 3
Restoration methods and safe working
This advice sheet is intended to support the guidance given in the leaflet
Planning to decorate? Do it safely
(174 KB) - to provide more detailed information on identifying and safely
dealing with lead paint in your home.
Decorating at home
- If the paintwork is completely sound, consider overcoating with a modern freshly purchased paint. If the paintwork has deteriorated, localised or complete restoration will need to be carried out.
- Ideally, pregnant women and children should not be present in any house or building where lead paint is being removed. Bystanders should be kept out of the room being redecorated and any connecting doors adjacent to occupied areas should be kept closed and/or sealed with plastic sheets.
- Remove furnishings wherever possible, cover surrounding surfaces to catch residues for subsequent safe disposal.
Removing paintwork
- If removing lead paintwork, minimise non-essential occupancy in the work area.
- DO NOT USE paint removal methods that create dry dust and lead fumes.
- Do not sand paper
- Do not scrape
- Do not blast clean
- Minimise exposure to dust and debris by wearing protective clothing, gloves and a face mask fitted with a respiratory protective device whose filter conforms to EN143 P2. 3M make a whole range of face masks that comply, as do two other companies, Moldex and Sundstrom.
- Paintwork should be removed with methods that don't create dust or fumes, using either solvent or caustic-based liquid paint removers, or a hot-air gun.
- Use solvent or liquid strippers only in accordance with their safety instructions, and remember that solvent-free, water-based paint removers are now available - ask your DIY dealer for details.
- Hot-air guns should only be used so that it will only cause softening of the paint film - do not burn the paint as this will give off fumes. The gun setting must be below 450°C.
- Final removal of paint residues to give a smooth surface should only be performed by wet abrasion with a waterproofed abrasive paper.
- Large flat areas of lead paint such as walls and ceilings are best treated with lining paper or wall coverings. If lead paint is found underneath wall coverings when they are removed, the restoration and safe working guidance given here for leaded paint must be followed.
- DO NOT eat, drink or smoke whilst removing the paint.
Taking a break
- Take breaks away from the work area.
- Store protective clothing in a plastic bag between breaks in work, wash hands and exposed skin surfaces thoroughly before undertaking other activities especially eating, drinking, smoking or preparing food or drink.
- Thorough washing of the face and hands are imperative to reduce the chances of lead being ingested.
Disposal
- Immediately on removal, place all paint residues and debris in a plastic container, e.g. a plastic bag, and seal securely for final disposal with normal household waste.
- Professional painters are advised to check with their local Environmental Health Officer and/or Waste Regulatory Authority when large amounts of lead-paint residues require disposal.
- After work, the area should be thoroughly cleaned with water and detergent. Dust and loose debris should be collected using a vacuum cleaner fitted with high efficiency filters (P2 cartridge filter complying with EN143). Suitable vacuum cleaners conform to British Standard BS 5415. Some domestic vacuum cleaners comply with this standard and are available through electrical retail outlets; industrial cleaners are available through hire companies. Disposal of the debris should be in accordance with the guidelines in this advice sheet.
- Small amounts of dust/debris may be removed using a brush provided the waste material has been thoroughly wetted first.
- Disposable clothing, filters and brushes etc, used should be contained in a plastic bag with the other paint residues for subsequent removal.
Redecoration
- After removal of lead paint and disposal of wastes, the exposed surfaces can be redecorated with an appropriate paint or coating system, used in accordance with manufacturers instructions.
- If you are uncertain about your ability to execute the guidance safely, then employ decorating contractors with proven experience in the safe removal of lead paintwork. An advice sheet on painting contractors is available - see Advice Sheet 5.
Where can I find out more?
More information on lead paint is available on this website in the following advice sheets (you are reading Advice Sheet 3):
- Advice Sheet 1 - Look out for lead paint
- Advice Sheet 2 - Testing for lead paint
- Advice Sheet 4 - Lead paint and the law
- Advice Sheet 5 - Professional help and advice
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Page last modified:
16 August 2005
Page published 12 April 2001