Homeowners in Colorado Springs who plan to repaint older houses may be subject to federal regulations that apply before any paint is applied. Front Range Painters, one of several painting companies colorado springs homeowners rely on, is raising awareness about lead-safe painting rules for homes built before 1978. The company emphasizes that knowing the age of a home is critical because it determines how preparation, containment, and cleanup must be handled.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, homes constructed before 1978 are likely to contain lead-based paint, which was banned for consumer use that year. Exposure to lead dust can cause serious health problems, especially for children and pregnant women. The EPA's regulations aim to minimize this risk during renovation activities.
The EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule requires that firms paid to perform work that disturbs lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities, and preschools be EPA-certified. They must also use certified renovators and follow lead-safe work practices. This includes common painting prep tasks like sanding, scraping, and surface preparation that disturb existing paint. Contractors must provide occupants with the EPA's "Renovate Right" pamphlet before work begins.
The rule prohibits certain high-risk practices on these projects. These include open-flame burning, using high-speed power sanders or grinders without HEPA exhaust controls, and operating heat guns at 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Such activities can generate dangerous lead dust and fumes.
"When we look at an older home, the first question isn't the color. It's when the house was built," said Danny Manriquez, owner of Front Range Painters. "That one answer changes how the prep gets done, how the site gets set up and how the cleanup gets handled."
The issue is particularly relevant for exterior projects, where years of weather exposure can leave older paint peeling or flaking. Before hiring any of the exterior painters colorado springs has to offer, homeowners can ask whether the firm is EPA-certified and how it plans to contain paint chips and dust. The EPA maintains an online search tool that lists certified renovation firms, allowing consumers to verify credentials.
The same questions apply indoors, where colorado springs interior painting projects in older homes often involve window trim, doors, and stairways. The rule can also apply when original painted cabinets are sanded or stripped during cabinet painting colorado springs projects in pre-1978 kitchens. Homeowners should discuss the home's age with any contractor during the estimate stage to ensure compliance and safety.
"Most people just want the house to look good again, and that's fair," Manriquez said. "But if you've got an older home, spend two minutes asking your painter about lead before anybody starts scraping. A good contractor will have a straight answer."
Front Range Painters encourages homeowners with questions about an older home to review the EPA's guidance and to bring up lead safety with any contractor. The company provides interior painting, exterior painting, and cabinet painting services in Colorado Springs and nearby communities within about 25 minutes of the city.
