Lead Abatement in Rhode Island
Remember that big, beautiful house on Benefit Street? The one with the green trim and the white fence? My grandpa used to tell me stories about it. He said it was built a long time ago, when Providence was just getting started—a real piece of history.
But old houses have a secret. A bad one. That old paint on the walls and windows? A lot of it has lead. And my grandpa's story about that house on Benefit Street? It was about a family who moved in and had a baby. The baby got sick. The doctors couldn't figure out why at first. Then they found it. Lead poisoning. From the old paint.
That's a sad story, right? But it's a true one for a lot of homes here in Providence. From the East Side to Elmhurst, from Federal Hill to South Providence, our city is full of beautiful old houses. And a lot of them have lead paint.
This isn't just about old houses, either. Even some newer homes built before the late 1970s can have lead paint. The good news is, you don't have to worry about it. We can help. We're a local company that helps families in Providence and all over Rhode Island make their homes safe from lead. We know how to get rid of lead paint the right way.
Lead Paint: It's a Big Problem
Lead paint is a big deal. When it gets old, it flakes and turns into dust. This dust can get everywhere. On the floor, on toys, on your hands. If a child or even a pet breathes in this dust or puts their hands in their mouth after touching a dusty surface, they can get really sick.
The thing is, you can't just scrape the paint off. That makes the problem worse. It puts more lead dust into the air. That’s why you need professionals who know how to handle it. We know what we're doing. We wear special suits and use special tools to keep the dust from spreading. We clean up everything so your home is safe for your family.
You might be thinking about that old window in your kitchen that's peeling. Or the doorframe that has a lot of chips. You don't want to mess with that yourself. Call us. We'll come take a look and give you an honest opinion. We can test the paint to see if it has lead. Then we can make a plan to get rid of it.
Lead Safe: A Better Way
Being "lead safe" is more than just getting rid of paint. It's about a whole way of thinking. It means we do everything with safety in mind. We don't just scrape and leave. We use special vacuums with HEPA filters that catch even the smallest dust particles. We put up plastic sheets to seal off the work area. We make sure the lead dust doesn't get into your air vents or other parts of your house.
Our team is trained to follow all the rules. The City of Providence has rules about how to handle lead. So does the State of Rhode Island. We follow every single one. We work with families in neighborhoods like Silver Lake and Mount Pleasant. We also do work on the big old houses in places like College Hill. It doesn't matter where you live in Providence; we can help you make your house a lead-safe home.
We're not just some big company from out of state. We're your neighbors. We go to the WaterFire events downtown. We grab coffee at The Daily Grind. We understand how much people here love their homes. We want to help you protect them.
Lead Mitigation: Fixing the Problem
"Mitigation" is a fancy word. It just means we're trying to make a bad thing better. In this case, we're making a lead problem go away. This can mean a few different things.
Sometimes, we can just cover the lead paint. This is called encapsulation. We might put up new drywall or use a special paint-like substance to seal the lead paint in. It's a good way to fix the problem without taking all the old paint off. It's also a good option for people who live in apartments and might have a landlord who needs a quick, safe fix.
Other times, we have to remove the lead paint completely. We use special tools for this that create very little dust. We might also take out old windows or doors that are full of lead paint and put in new ones. We've helped many families on the West Side and in the Elmhurst area with this. We get rid of the problem, and you get a beautiful, safe new window or door.
The main thing is, we have a plan. We look at your house and we figure out the best way to get rid of the lead. We don't just guess. We're trained to do this. We're the people you call when you want to feel good about your home again.
Rhode Island Housing and Lead Safety
Rhode Island Housing is dedicated to creating safe living environments by supporting lead paint removal efforts in residential properties. Recognizing the serious health risks of lead exposure, particularly for children, they work with property owners to implement effective lead hazard control measures.
Through resources and programs, Rhode Island Housing helps identify lead hazards in older homes and ensures safe removal practices. They partner with certified contractors to eliminate lead risks, helping property owners secure lead-safe certificates. This collaboration promotes safer communities and supports compliance with state regulations.
Rhode Island's Lead Laws
Rhode Island enforces strict lead laws to protect residents from exposure. Property owners are required to conduct lead inspections and obtain lead-safe certificates for their homes. Failing to comply can result in penalties and legal consequences, making it crucial to address any lead hazards promptly.
Lead Abatement in Providence, RI: We Are Here For You
This is where we live. This is our city. We know the old bungalows in Washington Park. We know the Victorians in Elmwood. We know the triple-deckers in the North End. We've worked on them all.
We're a part of the community. We sponsor a team at the local Little League. We know that Providence is a great place to raise a family. But we also know that our beautiful, old houses come with a hidden danger. We've seen it firsthand.
A friend of mine, who lives near the Roger Williams Park Zoo, had a small child. He called me because he was worried. The house was built in the 1920s. We went over, did a test, and sure enough, there was lead paint. We spent a week making the house safe. A few weeks later, he called me again. He said his kid was doing so much better. That's why we do this.
We're not just here to make money. We're here to help our neighbors. To help the people we see at the Providence Flea or the farmers' market. We're here to make sure that the stories we tell about our city are happy ones. We want to make sure your story has a happy ending.
Don't wait until something bad happens. If you have a house that was built before 1978, give us a call. It doesn't cost anything to ask questions. We'll come take a look and tell you what you need to know. We can help you make your home a safe place for your family. It's the most important thing you can do.