On April 22nd, 2010 Oregon law changed regarding lead based paint.  The standard earnest money agreement (offer between the buyer and seller) includes a contingency for the buyer’s right to conduct a lead inspection.  Houses built before 1978 may have been painted with lead based paint.

The law prescribes and dictates how lead based paint is to be handled and contained (it did before but not as strictly).  The new restrictions include banning stripping paint with torches.  The change, according to the painter I talked to, “makes it cheaper to replace the siding than to strip it under the new law and repaint.”   The environmental impact notwithstanding, the change in the law is going to change how contractors do business:

In Oregon, many contractors will choose to obtain the “Certified Lead-Based Paint Renovation (LBPR) Contractors License”.  Most residential paint, remodeling, and renovation contractors will need the new CCB license.  Contractors will obtain this license to maintain compliance with the new federal lead-based paint regulations.  The new license will allow them to continue to perform renovation, repair and painting work after the regulation goes into effect on April 22, 2010.

Contractors choosing not to obtain the new LBPR license should cease all renovation and painting work on older homes and other buildings known as “target housing” and “child-occupied facilities” in Oregon (effective April 22, 2010) until they obtain an Oregon CCB LBPR license.

Performing work on subject structures without a LBPR license after April 22, 2010, will subject the contractor to the possibility of severe state and federal civil penalties.

The law also includes window replacement on “target houses” and “child occupied” homes.  Sills are one of the most common places we see paint chips in house interiors.  The combination of moving parts and window ropes that are often painted can cause flakes that contain the lead paint.