Lead Paint and Asbestos in Older Rochester Homes: Before You Repair

Why lead paint asbestos checks matter in Rochester

On lead paint asbestos risk, NeighborhoodScout reports that more than half of Rochester housing, about 54 percent, was built before 1939. Other sources put older housing even higher, so treat any home built before 1978 as a lead paint home unless testing says otherwise. Old paint and old building materials are the reason a simple patch or trim job needs a short safety check first.

The EPA lead rule in plain terms

The EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting program covers paid work that disturbs paint in homes built before 1978, including repair, painting prep, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and window replacement. Anyone paid to do that work must be certified. Homeowners working on their own residence are exempt, unless they rent part of it, run a childcare there or flip homes.

Work practices

Certified work uses containment to keep dust in the work area, bans open-flame burning and power tools without HEPA exhaust control, and ends with a thorough cleanup and a verification step. Certified firms give occupants the Renovate Right pamphlet before work starts.

Rochester lead rules

Rochester has a Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Ordinance, effective July 2006. It applies to pre-1978 rental units that need a Certificate of Occupancy, with inspection when that certificate is renewed or on complaint. Deteriorated paint must be covered or repaired using lead-safe work practices, and work above the EPA size thresholds needs certified contractors. The City says its standard is lead-safe, not lead-free, and lists a grant program that can help eligible owners. Check the City page for current terms.

Asbestos in older homes and lead paint asbestos checks

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says asbestos can be found in pipe and boiler insulation, resilient floor tiles and the backing of sheet flooring, sprayed soundproofing, patching compounds and textured paints, and roofing and siding shingles. Homes built from 1930 to 1950 are especially likely to have asbestos materials.

• Material in good condition that you will not disturb generally needs no action.
• Do not saw, sand, scrape or vacuum suspect materials.
• Do not take your own samples. Use accredited professionals to inspect and remove.
• If attic insulation is vermiculite, assume it contains asbestos and leave it undisturbed.

What lead paint asbestos rules mean for a handyman visit

We ask the age of the home before work starts and say so when the size of the job, the material or the work itself needs a certified firm or testing first. Small patches, trim and hardware work often stay under the thresholds. Window replacement, paint stripping, popcorn ceiling removal or old flooring do not. See our drywall repair and door repair pages for how we handle old paint.