Front Range Painters: Lead-Safe Rules for Pre-1978 Homes

Homeowners in Colorado Springs planning to repaint older homes may be subject to federal lead-safe regulations before work begins. Front Range Painters, a residential painting company owned by Danny Manriquez, is urging owners of pre-1978 homes to understand EPA rules that require paid contractors to be EPA-certified and follow lead-safe practices. The EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule applies to projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities, and preschools. Contractors must give occupants the EPA's "Renovate Right" pamphlet and avoid prohibited practices like open-flame burning, high-speed power sanders without HEPA exhaust controls, and heat guns at 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. As one of the trusted painting companies colorado springs homeowners rely on, Front Range Painters emphasizes that the first question for an older home isn't the color but the year it was built. "That one answer changes how the prep gets done, how the site gets set up and how the cleanup gets handled," said owner Danny Manriquez. The issue is particularly relevant for exterior projects, where weathered paint can peel or flake. Before hiring any of the exterior painters colorado springs has to offer, homeowners should ask whether the firm is EPA-certified and how it will contain paint chips and dust. Indoors, similar concerns apply to colorado springs interior painting involving window trim, doors, and stairways, as well as cabinet painting colorado springs projects in pre-1978 kitchens. Manriquez advises spending two minutes asking about lead before scraping begins, noting that a good contractor will have a straight answer. Front Range Painters serves Colorado Springs and nearby communities within about 25 minutes of the city, offering interior, exterior, and cabinet painting services.