Heavy Fines Loom with New Lead Regs

Less than a month remains for contractors to comply with sweeping new lead-safe rules or face fines of up to $37,500.

Like many state and federal authorities and associations, the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is reminding licensees about the rules that roll out April 22.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) requirements apply to those working on remodeling projects in homes, childcare facilities, and schools built before 1978, all of which are presumed to have lead-based paint. Although the lead-based paint may have been covered by non-toxic paints in subsequent years, remodeling or demolition will disturb the lead paint underneath, potentially harming workers and consumers.

For example, the amount of lead dust that can cover a three-by-five-inch card can poison a 1,500-square-foot house or apartment, and cause it to fail a lead safety inspection, the CSLB said.

Contractors conducting renovation activities in pre-1978 buildings must receive training from a U.S. EPA-accredited training provider. Contractors or their employees with lead safety certification from the California Department of Public Health (DPH) may take a four-hour U.S. EPA-accredited course to achieve federal compliance. At least one person in a firm must be trained and certified in renovation. That firm must then apply to U.S. EPA for firm certification.

The requirements apply to all contractors—not just painters–who disturb lead-based paint in a six-square-foot area or greater indoors, and a 20-square-foot area outdoors.

In California, if a state-certified inspector or risk assessor determines that a home constructed before 1978 is lead-free, federal certification is not required for anyone working on that particular building.

Exterior Waterborne Stains

Benjamin Moore & Co. (Montvale, NJ) introduced ARBORCOAT stains described as super-premium waterborne products that incorporate the company’s Gennex waterborne colorant technology.

The colorant system, developed over the past 10 years, is a key component in the company’s low- and zero-VOC Aura and Natura interior coatings. The system helps deliver low odor/low-VOC stain products that are within the limits of VOC regulations while providing superior performance in conventional stains, the company says.

Five products comprise the new waterborne exterior stain line. The Transparent, Semi Transparent, and Protective Clear Coat products are reported to offer a high degree of protection while allowing the natural color and texture of the wood to show. The transparent and semi-transparent products are composed of water-dispersible alkyds and acrylic resins. The alkyd content facilitates penetration of wood, while the acrylic-resin content contributes to long-term durability, the company says.

The acrylic Protective Clear Coat is recommended as a final deck finish over the transparent and semitransparent stains, offering protection against foot traffic and the effects of weathering. Annual application of the clear coat is suggested.

The product line’s Semi Solid or Solid finishes completely mask the wood grain but retain textural qualities, the company says. The acrylic formulations are reported to provide superior protection and are available in 75 colors.

All the products provide resistance to UV radiation, water, mildew, and abrasion caused by foot traffic, the company says. The waterborne colorants contribute no VOCs to the formulations, which are below 100 grams per liter in VOC.

Test

Green Performance Standard Approved for Stains

Green Seal, the independent certifying agency, has approved GS-47, a new environmental standard for stains and finishes.

The standard, in development for more than a year, includes product performance requirements and environmental and health requirements such as reduced use of hazardous substances and requires low volatile organic compound (VOC) content. The standard can serve as a tool to help companies begin to take action to improve their products and is available for Green Seal certification.

In addition to the standard approved this fall, Green Seal is in the final procedural steps of complying with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requirements for developing an American National Standard (ANS). Such a designation may permit broader use and distribution of the standard. The ANSI process includes a final public review.

Green Seal is now accepting applications for certification to GS-47 at http://www.greenseal.org/getcertified/index.cfm.

Certification involves a Green Seal technical staff review of data and information as well as a site visit.

Learn more at www.greenseal.org.

Commercial Latex, VOC Free

Using new, patented waterborne colorants, Benjamin Moore has reformulated its veteran EcoSpec brand as a VOC-free coating for commercial use. Unlike its predecessor, EcoSpec WB is available in all of Benjamin Moore’s 3,300+ colors. Low odor and fast drying, it comes in a primer and three topcoat finishes. Learn more at www.benjaminmoore.com

CA Toughens Contractor Laws

Unlicensed California contractors now face jail time and stiff fines under new laws that took effect Jan. 1.

Assembly Bill 370 increases the penalties for unlicensed contracting that are identified in Business & Professions (B&P) Code Section 7028.

Currently, a first conviction for contracting without a license is a misdemeanor with no set jail time or penalties.

As of Jan. 1, a first offense is punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and/or six months in county jail. A second offense is punishable by 20 percent of the contract price, or aggregate payments to the unlicensed contractor, or $5,000, whichever is greater, and not less than 90 days in county jail.

A third offense would be subject to a fine not less than $5,000 nor greater than $10,000 or 20 percent of the contract price, and a county jail sentence between 90 days and one year.

B&P Code requires that all home improvement jobs valued at $500 or more for labor and materials must be done by a licensed contractor. The bill also amends the Code to include that anybody who uses an unlicensed contractor is a victim entitled to restitution, regardless of whether they knew the contractor was unlicensed.

A related new law requires that home-improvement contractors notify consumers of any pending liens on their property. If they are not notified, the lien becomes unenforceable. This law takes effect on Jan.1, 2011.

Today I was in a local Sherwin Williams talking with the manager after a customer came in with little to no information on a color that happened to be in their head. The problem here is that if the color is in your head how is your local paint store suppose to mix the color? When you go into your local paint store and you are looking for a color or you want a color mixed please do us all a favor and have the color name, number and manufacturer or at minimum have something that can be used to match the color. A good example of this is a 2 inche by 2 inche  example piece of the color you want, at minimum. No a magazine picture does not work. Examples of what works are, a piece of fabric, a leaf, a cut out from the drywall surface, a piece of wood, a piece of metal, etc. do you get the picture? I once quit a job because the customer could not make up her mind on the colors for her house.  I want to make a special note here, the job was in excess of $100k.  We spent three months working with her and finally the local paint store told her no more and I finally told her she had to find another painter. If colors are that difficult for you then you need to hire a professional. Where do you find professionals? Contact your local American Society of Interior Design office (ASID) and have them refer you to a couple designers. There will be a cost involved but the time savings and cost of samples along wtih the labor for a painter to put them up will more than likely come out a wash or even a saving to you.  I finally enacted a policy at The Paint Doctor, we don’t do samples unless they are included within our proposal.  Even then we do a very limited amount and any samples over that carry a cost of $35.00 – $50.00 per standard sample.  If it is a custom sample, meaning we have to match it we charge $75.00 per sample.

So please do your homework before you are ready and if the homework is to difficult hire a professional, usually a designer!!  You say I can’t afford that but you also say you are no good at paint colors, well I say wait until you can afford it or don’t change colors.

Well today I ran into a common problem for homeowners, what color and finish did they paint last time?????  Often times we are called in to a repaint and the customer doesn’t want to change colors because they love the color the room is currently painted. Problem, they don’t know the color name, number or manufactureer. You ask can’t you match it?  Yes, but a much easier way to handle this common problem is to keep a dated color schedule. In this color schedule you need to list it by room, easily done in excel. With each room list the color name and number for every surface, i.e. walls, ceiling and trim (includes doors and windows). In addition to the name and number you will need to list the manufacturer, i.e. Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, etc. and you will need to list the finish along with the product used.  Now you are asking why do I need to have all of this information?  Well manufacturers often change the bases that paints are mixed in to comply with environmental regulation which in turn causes the color to be a little different. Also what if you don’t need to repaint the area but just need to touch it up? Well if the paint has not faded you can usually touch up the surface depending on the finish.
Following these simple steps in the beginning will save you a lot of time and money when you go to repaint.
No need to thank me, I enjoy saving both you and me time and money!!

House Painting Tips:
You probably want a classy home interior paint job without spending too much money.  Well if you must do it yourself then refer to the following tips for interior house painting.

Interior house painting, is more than just rolling your preferred shade of paint color unto your walls.

Knowing these interior house painting tips will not just make your walls beautifully painted, but these will give you great and fantastic ideas on how you can make your painting sessions fast and look professionally done.

The following eight tips for painting the interior of your home. And if you will follow them consistently, it is guaranteed that you can save a good deal of time in your painting session.

First, wash your brush. Just before you start painting, wash your brush in the solvent that you are going to use when you are done with your painting. Like for instance, water based latex. Through this, as you clean the brush when you are done it will easier for you to do so.

Second, wrap the roller or the brush. If you don’t plan to clean the roller or the brush after using it, yet you are planning to do the painting again after a few days. It is suggested that you wrap them inside a plastic bag very tightly and place them inside the freezer.

Third, if you want to keep your hands clean while painting, use latex gloves then. These are great especially when you are using a paint that is oil-based.

Fourth, consider the wet edge problem. Whenever you paint always consider the wet edge problem, then stay away from it. Also remember that painting over a dry edge will make overlap marks.

Fifth, don’t get stingy when buying brushes or roller covers. When you use cheap roller covers, this will only create a fuzzy form on your wall. Also, cheap brushes will only create uneven brush marks. Rollers that come in multi-packs sold a one dollar are not advisable to buy. It is more advisable to prefer better manufactured tools. Be practical in a clever way.

Sixth, get the “blue-tape”. This blue-tape is nothing like a masking tape. This is different from the traditional masking tape which comes in a beige color. The good thing about the blue-tape is that it doesn’t peel that easily. Hence, this will keep you away from possible frustrations when doing the actual painting.

Seventh, be careful not to lose the can opener of your paint. These can openers for paint come as small metal keys. Therefore, they are prone to be lost in any moment of carelessness. Preferably, chain it to a little chunk of wood.

Eight, be clever on the process of your painting. Follow this order: start from the ceilings, to the walls, trimmings, down to the cabinets, then to the doors. Just always remember to start it from the top going to the bottom.

So, these are a few practical tips in doing your interior house painting. Simply, follow these interior house painting tips carefully and you will reduce your stress in painting. The only way to eliminate it is to hire The Doctor, yes – The Paint Doctor!!

Once again today I dealt with a customer who just knew the colors they picked were the ones that they wanted. This is not a problem when you have tested the colors but if you have not watch out! I called to verify colors and the customer was sure of the colors, I recommended she test the colors just to make sure. This suggestion is one of many I have made over the last few weeks, she finally listened to me and called me back within two hours telling me how much she hated the colors. The lesson, always test your color choices even when you are using a designer to help you pick them. And don’t forget I always recommend having someone help you who has a great understanding of color. Paying a designer to consult with you is a lot cheaper than paying us to repaint it and that is what will happen if you don’t like it.

So lesson of the day is listen to The Doctor and always test your color choices when changing colors. Your space is not going anywhere and either are we.