RRP Testing
The EPA now requires that renovation work such as remodeling or painting that will affect paint must use special precautionary measures to contain the spread of lead dust and clean up afterwards. This can increase the cost of jobs, and one way to avoid these increased costs is to test for lead paint. If the paint is identified as not being lead, then the precautionary measures do not need to be taken.What is it?
RRP Testing is done in preparation of renovation, repair, or painting work that will be performed in a home. The EPA now requires that renovation work such as remodeling or painting that will affect paint in houses built before 1978 must use special precautionary measures to contain the spread of lead dust and clean up afterwards. Lead dust is a serious problem if it is not taken care of during and after the work is done, and can put you and your family at serious health risks.
Unfortunately these precautions can increase the cost of jobs, and one way to avoid these increased costs is to test for lead paint. If the paint is identified as not being lead, then the precautionary measures do not need to be taken and you do not need to worry about the health of your family. This type of inspection is called a determination.
RRP Testing
The EPA now requires that renovation work such as remodeling or painting that will affect paint must use special precautionary measures to contain the spread of lead dust and clean up afterwards. This can increase the cost of jobs, and one way to avoid these increased costs is to test for lead paint. If the paint is identified as not being lead, then the precautionary measures do not need to be taken.Why have RRP Testing done?
RRP Testing
The EPA’s new requirements for contractors to do work on your home can increase the cost of the job significantly as well as increase the overall time the job will take. In order to know the extent of the precautions the contractor doing the work will need to take you may have the components tested that they will affect before they begin. Contractors are allowed to do their own testing with EPA-recognized test kits, but these kits are not allowed to be used on plaster or dry wall surfaces because they do not work properly due to chemical reactions with the materials. A Licensed Inspector can only make this determination for these surfaces, and also has much more knowledge and experience when testing for lead paint on any surface.
Additionally the test kits that are readily available for contractors to use are very sensitive and can result in false-positives, meaning that it will identify lead paint where there is actually not lead paint. This will increase the costs of the job when it is unnecessary.
If you are performing your own renovation work and want to protect the health and safety of your family then you may also choose to have a Licensed Lead Inspector test surfaces for lead before you begin. The identification of lead paint may alter your plans entirely or at least prompt you to take some precautions to protect your family. Lead exposure is a serious problem, especially to young children.
How long does it take?
RRP Testing will vary depending on the size of the renovation work that is required to be tested. The time frame can be anywhere between 30 minutes to 3 hours if there is extensive work that will be performed.