Lead testing new windows

6 years ago

Did your window installer test for lead before installing? We got several quotes. Of the three large window companies we got quotes from, two said they test for lead. The company we want to go with (due to price and reputation) does not test for lead. I have a baby and small child and our house was built in 1959.

What would you do?

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PRO

toddinmn

6 years ago

They do not need to test for lead if they assume it’s lead.

DI’d you ask them about your concerns? I’d say there reputation proceeds themselves if they were to overlook this .

Regardless of who does the work I would not trust most contractors to a thorough job of cleaning up afterwards. I would reclean everything they did regardless and focus on window wells, window sills and floors. I would also inspect the exterior for visible paint chips. I emphasize this because of the age of your children and I know from person experience.

In general houses from 1959 have lower levels of lead in the paint then from earlier eras, often they will have lead levels that would not classify them according to HUD standard to be classified as lead. Windows from this era typically crest much less debris from ones of earlier eras. If was me I would personally come in behind any contractor and reclean everything again. I would also consider not having my kids there while they are doing the work, but would like to see there precautions taken while doing the work. If these are double hungs on aluminum tracks and they are doing inserts they really don’t generate much debris , at least when I remove them.

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Comments (7)

Window Genius
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
When you bought your home that your children would live in, Im sure you already knew there may be lead.

i would assume there is lead and just clean up a little after the installers are done. Replacing windows is a pretty contained project and doesnt really generate a lot of dust to be honest. If that were the case I would have lead poisoning and i have been installing windows in homes with lead for 30 years.
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toddinmn
6 years ago
When was the last time you had your blood lead level checked? Replacing window can generate quite a bit of debris and dust levels. Lead will have a much greater effect on children than an adult. Your advice sucks , when you disturb something as professional it becomes your responsibility .
Window Genius
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I totally disagree. I have absolutely no issues with lead and my blood tests validate that. I was tested in 2014 and at that time I had been installing for over 20 years and many of the homes I installed windows pre dated 1950. In fact many were built in the 1930’s. I know quite a few installers who had lead levels checked and they are all fine. A lead lest is very cheap and any doctor can simply add it to your annual blood work if he so chooses.

There needs to be personal responsibility here and buying a house when you have children and knowing full well it has lead is the choice made by homeowner and not amyone else. If they are so worried about lead, they shouldnt be buying a home with lead.

Your advice sucks and instead of using scare tactics on consumers, give logical advice. You come across as sanctimonious and to be honest, very fake.
Christine S
Original Author
6 years ago
So we ended up testing ourselves to be sure and found there is lead in the old paint. I chipped it away to get to the original wood to test. I asked the window company we wanted to use if they would be practicing proper practices (sealing off work area and cleaning) with this information and now they want to pull the contract they sent. They are a large company working in an area filled with suburbs built in the 50’s so I can’t imagine we are a unique case. I’m hoping the sales person is mistaken. I will be trying to reach out to speak with someone else tomorrow.
PRO
toddinmn
6 years ago
It would seem odd they would have one rouge sales person pulling contracts when questioned if they are going to follow legal procedures.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
6 years ago
The EPA is fairly strict about disturbing lead in remodeling. Since your home predates 1978, contractors have to play by the rules or risk fines. https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-renovation-repair-and-painting-program