You will need to meet lead remediation dust control standards. If you aren't familiar with that type of work, hire a pro. Your health and safety depend on professional competency.

Thank you both. The house has a lead free certificate from '93 - no hazards found.

Floors are hardwood.

We removed popcorn ceilings prior to bringing down the rest.

Did think of doing two phases: first plaster, then lathe but then just went for it both at once.

Thank you for the tip on the filter mask. Where can i get the filter masks??

We've been using eye protection and a respirator but I do think we need a better one.

The lead-approved dust masks will be labeled as such (p-100 rating).

Am I missing something where the poster says "lime" and everyone says "lead"?

That being said; I bought a 'disposable' shop vac with shopvac small particle/drywall bags to clean up a new build once, figuring it would die after the one use (had to get it done for other trades), and it lasted for ten years. All the major shopvac makers make them now.

Hi Ichabod! Can you tell me the model or share a link about where I can find one of those. We're not done yet with the work on the house and not having to rent one every time would be pretty good.

We d now have a Lead and Mold respirator that we picked up from Home Depot. Might be overkill but better safe than sorry huh? Also, we checked to be super safe there is defo NO lead in the ceilings. :)

Sure; I don't think it matters. I remember going to my nearest local store (Walmart), and buying a vacumn and these: https://www.shopvac.com/shopvac-accessories/Products/Drywall-Collection-Filter-Bags-for-5-8-Gallon-Tanks__906-71-00.aspx

It's all in the bags.

I can't open the link but I'll search for the bags mentioned in it. I noticed a Stanley Shopvac at Wal-Mart online. Might see if I can get it to the local one. Not bad for 40 dollars. Think there were cheaper ones too.

Shopvacs that take bags (as opposed to using only the cartridge filter)are much better for drywall dust, and by extension, plaster dust. The filter pleats get clogged with dust, but the bag can be renewed by just shaking the vac or tapping gently on the bag.

In an old house, you don't assume it is free from lead, the test kits are pretty cheap.

Casey

Hi Casey,

We have a certificate on the lead free homes in MA website stating no hazards found from 1993. Before we touched any work in the house, we had a guy come in with a lead level reading device and check every surface including ceilings - NO LEAD.

I would have thought you noticed that I already mentioned that in one of my comments above.

Why did we test again then? Because we're under a lot of pressure time wise and don't want to make any mistakes in case someone/we made an oversight.

Tests only test immediate surfaces that are exposed. The top layer. You are now doing archaeology with this demolition. There are many layers Of previous paint now exposed. Not just the lead free surface. If there is plaster, there IS lead containing paint among those lower layers of paint. And dust. And that dust had just invaded your entire home.

Edited to add that I was referring to the layers of paint underneath the top layer of lead fee paint that was tested.

Why would there be multiple layers of painted plaster?

Er there's only one layer of plaster on the lathes. No paint involved. We're talking a ceiling here. Not a wall. Either way, the lead inspections both now and back in 93 verified no lead. Do people commenting keep missing that point?

The different paint layers was what I was referring to above. Unless the paint has been *chemically stripped* all the way back to the plaster at some point as part of a lead abatement, all a "lead free" status means is that the top layer is adhering well to all of the strata and is itself lead free.

*That does not mean that the home is completely lead free.*

Demolition exposes the older paint underneath. In a home of an era that contains genuine lathe and plaster, you can be 100% certain that the sub layers will contain lead paint that was just fine until disturbed. And that is why demolition in an older home should always follow lead safe practices.

Ok. Point noted.

Like I stated in my verbose tome /\, a little dilute white vinegar buffed dry gets rid of lime.

Casey