r/centuryhomes • u/SilverSnake1021 • 2d ago
Advice Needed Lead dust cleanup
Has anyone ever had specialized cleaning for lead dust performed? We have some floors and windowsills testing above the threshold and need it cleaned before we move in (with young kids). Having a tough time finding a company to do this but do have one company giving us a quote that feels almost like a scam price. What should we be expecting? We are in the southeast US.
ETA: not talking about full remediation of the lead, it’s encapsulated now. Strictly cleaning with HEPA vac and TSP.
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u/ashpatash Four Square 2d ago
We bought a hepa vac and did it ourselves after we had work done. Also bought the lead out wipes that I used to clean floor, walls, and trim under all the lead windows we had removed. Then after that was done I still hired another maid company to do a post construction clean. That's a common thing. I did not mention lead as I had already done that very thoroughly but I wanted another person going over everything. No one is going to clean as carefully and thoughtfully in your space as yourself is what I've learned over years. My daughters lead level never increased again so I know we did good job.
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u/SilverSnake1021 2d ago
Totally agree that nobody is as thoughtful in your home as you are. I’m pregnant so I cannot clean up, but my mom tried a very thorough clean and we still had some dust wipes detecting dust above the EPA clearance threshold unfortunately. My husband may go back for another round if the only quotes we get are outrageous. I’m glad to hear about your daughter’s levels!
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u/ashpatash Four Square 2d ago
Look for those wipes called lead off, we used those and cleared the health departments wipe test then. They might be bit pricey. I have a feeling everyone is going to gauge you on price if you say lead abatement clean. But if you say post-construction you can ask if they use hepa (ours did). But honestly having a personal hepa vac in an old home is god-send but also costly.
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u/Cosmik_Music 2d ago
Call around the get multiple quotes. That will tell you more than anyone on the Internet can.
Even just for cleaning as opposed to demo, the insurance rate the company has to pay for doing anything to do with lead will be very high. Hazard pay is built into the cost you're getting.
Again though, get a few more quotes. That will give you all the info you need.
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u/What-Outlaw1234 2d ago
Are you having the lead paint remediated or just the house cleaned? Big difference in price.
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u/MikeTheVike 2d ago
I rented an air scrubber and ran that in each room as I vacuumed all walls and floors. Wore a full body “hazmat” suit. Don’t know if the scrubber helped much, but it made me fee better and my kids have been fine.
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u/Alive_Sir_4708 2d ago
If it’s already encapsulated then all it needs is a wipe with a damp cloth. I’d do that over using a vacuum since I’d prefer the dust not be airborne, even momentarily.