The EPA regulates and licenses painting contractors to make sure they are using lead-safe practices when sanding homes built before 1978. One of the safety regulations requires the use of plastic on the ground to catch paint dust that escapes the vacuums used with sanders. When the situation calls for it, or there’s a breeze, Rutgers Painting uses vertical containment to ensure paint dust that may contain lead won’t escape.
Preparation has begun on the home pictured below in Maplewood, NJ that was constructed prior to 1978, as were most homes in the state. An indication of probable wind gusts prompted this painting crew to deploy their huge, blue tarp.
When selecting your painting contractor, always confirm that they are an EPA lead safe certified firm and ask them how they plan to contain the paint dust generated by sanders and scrapers.
A tarp from roofline to the ground helps contain paint dust that may contain lead.