EPA lead law will effect 90% of home owners

Recently we were hired for a home inspection is Des Plaines, Illinois.  The home was built in the 1940′s which is not a big deal or is it?  There are laws that have been “kicked” around for years that would “police” contractors that work in homes that were built before 1978.  The year 1978 was the last year that lead paint was to be used in homes.   

My client was really excited about this home, but informed me that they wanted to do a lot of  renovating of the home  in Des Plaines.  The home seemed to be in reasonable good shape for a home from the 1940′s.   

The windows seemed to be the main issue of the home inspection in Des Plaines.  The windows were made of single pane glass with no storm windows.  The rest of the home seemed to to have no major issues.  There were no structural issues that would cause construction repairs on the home.  

I explained to my client that the windows should be on a short list for replacement.  They said thats what they thought too.  This especially when I had to explain the new EPA lead law  that went into effect as of April 22, 2010.  

The law states that you must use a licensed lead contractor with an EPA number.  If your contractor doesn’t follow the lead rules  they will be fined $37,000.00  a day!  That’s right, I didn’t add to many zero’s.  If your planning on removing any windows this covers you.  If you plan on modifying 6′ of your interior or 20′ of exterior this covers you.  The only way you can “opt out” is to have the owners sign a opt out form that states that there are no children under the age of 6 living in the home or any pregnant women residing at the home planned for construction.  

As for the villages policing this law??  We have made calls to over 30 villages in the Chicago land area where the villages didn’t even know what we were asking for???  I explained to my client from the home inspection in Des Plaines our findings and explained that the costs for this new program would increase their construction costs up to 1/2 more than regular prices.  

If you are getting ready to do a contruction project and you own or are buying a home built after 1978  and are unsure of the laws please contact us at~ www.pinnaclepropertyinspection.com  Jim Kolke