Such a depressing day

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G

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
22,249
6,439
136
Took my mandatory lead safety class today. Compliance with the new EPA rules is going to be a bitch, construction costs are going to go up yet again. Lots of new paperwork to be filled out and fees to be paid, and a long, long, list of things they can fine me for. $37,500 seems to be the amount for most things, and that's per occurrence. I also get to buy all sorts of very expensive new tools.
I understand the necessity for the regulations, and I agree with the goal, but it couldn't have come at a worse time for my industry.
 
D

darkswordsman17

Lifer
Mar 11, 2004
23,444
5,852
146
What exactly is changing such that you'll need to buy a bunch of new tools?

Is this more in dealing with what you're replacing or taking out than what you're putting in?
 
Golgatha

Golgatha

Lifer
Jul 18, 2003
12,400
1,076
126
The funny thing is, lead is environmentally fairly immobile. You'll still find high concentrations next to major highways that have been in existence before 1978 and in the soil surrounding pre-1978 target shooting ranges.
 
G

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
22,249
6,439
136
It's all about lead based paint used in homes up until 1978. New EPA rules started last April about handling any painted surfaces. The rules have actually been in place for twenty five years, but enforcement has been none existent. Now they have a new program and are enforcing with a vengeance. Removal, transportation, and disposal are now a very big deal, with very big fines. The new tools are designed to connect to a HEPA vacuum to prevent the spread of contaminated dust.
 
G

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
22,249
6,439
136
Golgatha said:
The funny thing is, lead is environmentally fairly immobile. You'll still find high concentrations next to major highways that have been in existence before 1978 and in the soil surrounding pre-1978 target shooting ranges.
Click to expand...

It's also in paint, and harmless until it's disturbed. Once you start cutting into a painted surface lot's of it gets released, that has to be controlled and the material bagged. It then has to be placed in locked storage on site until it's been tested. After testing, the bags can only be removed by a licensed hazardous waste transportation company, and taken to a class II landfill. Every step has to be documented, every person involved has to be certified, every scrap of removed material has to be accounted for.
 
highland145

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,973
6,338
136
My bro the plumber was bitching about this earlier in the year. One more thing that will have to be passed on to the customerD:. Laymen wonder why skilled trades charge big $$/hr. It's very expensive to run a business legally, following building/tax codes and doing quality work.
 
Ika

Ika

Lifer
Mar 22, 2006
14,264
3
81
My best friend's mother died from cancer today.

Pretty depressing day.
 
shortylickens

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,081
136
I recommend everyone in here immediately head over to the babe thread and fap until their day is better.
 
Homerboy

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
They just outlined this on the latest episode of This Old House.
Tom Silva, you could tell, was not fuckign pleased.

The amount of additional work and precaution is outrageous. EVERYONE has to wear suits and masks. Everything has to be bagged and tagged, Tested, then disposed. Unbelievable.
 
Ns1

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
Greenman said:
It's also in paint, and harmless until it's disturbed. Once you start cutting into a painted surface lot's of it gets released, that has to be controlled and the material bagged. It then has to be placed in locked storage on site until it's been tested. After testing, the bags can only be removed by a licensed hazardous waste transportation company, and taken to a class II landfill. Every step has to be documented, every person involved has to be certified, every scrap of removed material has to be accounted for.
Click to expand...

:awe:
 
Homerboy

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
highland145 said:
Would only take once to break a lot of contractors.
Click to expand...

Not to mention 99% of the cost will just be transfererd to the home owner. Rates for remodeling old homes just went up DRAMATICALLY. That's not going to help the construction business AT ALL. And in turn stiffle the economy some more.
 
RPD

RPD

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2009
5,109
600
126
If you think thats bad, you don't even want to know how bad and more expensive hospital construction has become due to "special seismic" testing in CA.
 
amdskip

amdskip

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
22,530
13
81
Homerboy said:
They just outlined this on the latest episode of This Old House.
Tom Silva, you could tell, was not fuckign pleased.

The amount of additional work and precaution is outrageous. EVERYONE has to wear suits and masks. Everything has to be bagged and tagged, Tested, then disposed. Unbelievable.
Click to expand...
Yep saw this, practically looks like they are removing asbestos.
 
Homerboy

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
RPD said:
If you think thats bad, you don't even want to know how bad and more expensive hospital construction has become due to "special seismic" testing in CA.
Click to expand...

Yes. Those billion dollar construction jobs by multi-conglomerated super contractors for the multi-gajillion dollar medical industry that will milk the system dry for a $10 aspirin compares to some home owner wanting to add a 1/2 bath onto their 1952 bungalo by the local construction guy/crew.
 
highland145

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,973
6,338
136
Homerboy said:
Not to mention 99% of the cost will just be transfererd to the home owner. Rates for remodeling old homes just went up DRAMATICALLY. That's not going to help the construction business AT ALL. And in turn stiffle the economy some more.
Click to expand...
People will try and do the work themselves so then, besides the lead, you could have safety (elec.,structural) issues.

Anyone know if individuals will legally still be able to work on their houses?

My house was built in 1937. I won't be able to afford someone to do work.
 
Homerboy

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
highland145 said:
People will try and do the work themselves so then, besides the lead, you could have safety (elec.,structural) issues.

Anyone know if individuals will legally still be able to work on their houses?

My house was built in 1937. I won't be able to afford someone to do work.
Click to expand...

per This Old House crew, yes you can. In fact IIRC they specifically addressed this. This law only applies to (licensed) contractors.

It really just applies to the demo too I thinik.
So you could technically, (again I think) do the demo yourself, then hifgher the construction crew after?
 
highland145

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,973
6,338
136
Homerboy said:
per This Old House crew, yes you can. In fact IIRC they specifically addressed this. This law only applies to (licensed) contractors.

It really just applies to the demo too I thinik.
So you could technically, (again I think) do the demo yourself, then hifgher the construction crew after?
Click to expand...
Love this part. Once again, the guy trying to follow the rules takes a hit and the fly-by-nights can score big.
 
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