Lead poisoning has been in the news lately. Whether you own an older home or live by an industry that has lead involved in a process, the effects of lead poisoning on communities are real. Real Property Management Choice is concerned about the safety and health of tenants and takes the possibility of lead poisoning seriously. A metal toxicologist and faculty associate at the University of Texas Arlington, Trey Brown, has stated that “childhood lead poisoning is the #1 environmental contaminant-driven disease in the country, and nobody knows this.” A proactive approach to this environmental problem is needed.
Many homes and buildings built before 1978 still have lead-based paint on the outside and inside of the structure. Lead-based paint is just one source of potential poisoning that can be dealt with in rental properties. Taking care of older homes is a job for Los Angeles property investors to address. An initial reaction is to just have the paint removed. But removing lead-based paint poses problems and must be done correctly to ensure that the contamination is contained. The best method of dealing with lead-based paint that isn’t peeling, chipping, or flaking off is to simply paint over the existing paint and completely seal it from exposure. Use high-quality paint that will last a long time and has good endurance to normal living conditions. Several layers of new paint may be needed but if lead paint is properly sealed it won’t pose a problem of contamination.
Real Property Management Choice can help you determine if the lead-based paint needs to be removed from your rental unit, and take special care to do so. It may be best to hire a professional lead paint removal company to properly contain dust and flakes from the old paint. Old lead-based paint dust can contaminate rooms in your home or even the soil in your yard. So proper containment is essential. Always wear protective and disposable clothing as well as a respirator when working with lead-based paints.
Offering a healthy living environment to tenants is always important to Real Property Management Choice.