Celeste

Here is a house we are to start on Monday - will post pictures during the daylight tomorrow but here are a couple of shots from tonight when we looked at it. I'm going to have to stand a block away to get the whole house. There is a ton of decorative trim (way up high). Note the partial rear shot...that's Roger at the bottom of the pic and he sure looks tiny.

The thing that has us most concerned at this point is that they have been ripping these boards off the side of the house, CUTTING them and then reattaching in other places on the structure. Odds are, if we were to drive by during work hours, there would not be a soul in any type of protective clothing.....I'm seeing an OSHA, EPA, HUD, and any other alphabet soup type organization levying fines up the wazoo - or worse yet, a child in the neighborhood getting lead poisoning. It is extremely obvious that there have been no statutory precautions taken on this job site. Scary stuff. Celeste P.S. I have learned a stupid amount about lead abatement over the past two days...in the event anyone is interested, I could start a thread about some of the federal requirements. Most states simply adapt their statutes accordingly.

Well, we've done the lead testing and hey........run run run as fast as we can! This one is so full of lead, it tested positive where there was no paint left. Would've been a neat project but not at the risk that we found. :)

Our "starting" is doing (1) having the abatement conversation with the supers - if they are turning a blind eye, we'll likely pass on the job - not worth the risk, no matter how much money (2) doing test spots on the various areas to be stripped with different chemicals to determine the PITA factor and (3) giving them the price - which will be non-negotiable. We have no qualms about doing the work - yes, understand that it's going to be a bear but we will be WELL compensated or bye-bye. The foreman asked if Roger could do it - he said yes and the foreman said "You're hired". The dollars may change their mind - or not. We'll see tomorrow :)

We have the job we just aren't sure what or how we are going to charge yet - that doesn't seem to be an issue for these folks. We're not even sure how to measure it.....we'd need a lift just to do that :)

We get to get up close and personal with it.....all of the old paint must come off of the siding boards and window casings. The decorative trim doesn't have to go back to bare wood (thankfully, because as old as this place is, the paint is probably holding some of the wood together) but it must be smooth so that the repainting looks good. We are coming in after the first pressure washer blasted some of the wood so badly that they might have to be replaced altogether. This one is going to be labor intensive with a pretty high PITA factor, but it's going to be one awesome addition to our portfolio :) The contractor is also restoring several others on the same block......could be a very profitable job!

I'm sure this is another thread somewhere concerning rinsing of oxalic and/or citric, but I'm more interested in the answer where the citric based product is concerned. Do you rinse after applying the citric? If so, is it the same, rinse, rinse & rinse again or do you leave it? Celeste

HeeHeeHee :)

We buy 15% all the time.....or at least that's what the sticker says. Can you point me in the direction of that law? Celeste

I have it, same form straight from Dale :) Celeste

Reed, would you mind forwarding a copy to us? carolinaprowash@triad.rr.com Thanks so much, Celeste

Cool deal Don....although I'm not sure since you mentioned the smell that we'll be calling up the hog farm here :) Celeste

If it isn't supposed to be green, there are a couple of companies out there that have products that will restore the brick back to the color it's supposed to be. By chance, did you dig below the ground line and look at it or stick your head under the house to see what the other side looks like? Celeste

Well, at least if you used formaldehyde and got mixed up with it...you'd be well preserved!!! LOL Celeste

Great article Charlie :) Celeste

Well crap....if I'd known about the Oxalic thing, I may have been able to forego surgery!!! On a different note, there is a little yellow book - Emergency Response Guide - that no first aid kit, work truck, or whatever should be without. They can be gotten from Labelmaster or maybe even your local fire dept or EMT. Celeste

Agreed wholeheartedly Tony....you can demonstrate your knowledge & professionalism much more effectively in person. (I'm not saying that you can't be professional in leaving an estimate just that a personal appearance only enhances it) Celeste

Ugh....probably the only thing nastier than hog barns might be poultry....however, we have a HUGE one just outside our city limits. Lemme know how you handle this one...might be worth it for us to give it a look as well. OINK OINK! Celeste

Welllll, mine all work for me for free but.....

I'm not but as I understand it, it can develop out of the blue. My mom wasn't then last year she got stung and had a bad reaction and went to the hospital. The next time it was worse and she almost did not make it to the hospital before she started having breathing problems. She hasn't been stung since but they say that if she does she may really be in trouble. I guess if you have an employee that is allergic, they should be able to provide the stuff, huh.

My biggest question about using the rope technique - does it get in the way having it attached to you, either from the front line with rapelling gear or from the back like on safety harnesses. It just seems like it would be all in the way. I want to try it though. Roger did the stuff in the Marines so is quite gung ho to try it while working. Celeste

Reed, at a minimum you should keep a good line of communication with the HO (at least until you've been served with the lawsuit). If you continue to be as professional as we know you to be, it could not possibly damage your case. I would also keep a dated photo journal with maybe another professional's opinion so if this draws out for many more months, you can still show at what time the wood went beyond repair. Just another .02 worth. Celeste PS - I'll bet if we all sent our .02 to you, we could probably pay for your lawyer!

Is there a way to get epinephrin (sp?) to have on hand or is that by prescription only? If you are allergic to bees and get stung, sometimes just the poltice isn't good enough. I know we seem to be working on some ancient yellow jacket nesting ground - they are everywhere.

Benedryl - Sudafed - Actifed or something for those who are allergic to being outdoors in the spring, summer & fall.

If this does go to court Reed, they will bring in experts - you have enough folks backing you that I don't think you'll have a problem with any expert testimony on your behalf. In our state (NC), the plaintiff has to prove 100% negligence on the part of the Defendant. You should be able to skate right on by. Did you take pictures as you progressed with this deck? Those always seem to be helpful. On a lighter note.....maybe your finger will suddenly swell back up and you can just flip them all off (with medical excuse!) Good Luck, Celeste