If the lead paint is covered with new coats of lead free paint and it isn t peeling then you should be pretty safe from your new baby being exposed.
Covering lead paint with siding.
If you re just worried about looks the simplest and least expensive solution is to fasten 1 4 furring strips vertically over the existing siding and into the studs and attach the new siding to those with 1 1 4 in.
Roofing or siding nails.
Both finishing styles require a large investment of money time and work and so great consideration needs to be given to the comparative costs both initial and long term of each method.
A high lead finding might even steer you away from painting and toward siding that safely covers contaminated paint.
Vinyl siding is only one of the re siding options.
The material may be either a liquid or an adhesive.
Stucco may also be used to enclose lead based paint surfaces over expanded metal lath or over rigid foam board.
When used as a lead based paint enclosure system stucco a wet mixture of portland cement and lime is trowel or spray applied to anchored expanded metal lath to produce a complete seal of wall or ceiling surfaces.
Encapsulation should last upwards of 10 years if done correctly.
The epa hud regulations state that enclosure covering with siding is an accepted lead paint abatement method.
Encapsulation provides a barrier between the paint and the environment.
In addition the encapsulated area must be monitored over time to prevent exposure to lead paint chips and dust.
The lead paint can be covered up in a safe and legal manner you should contact your local agency that deals with these issues.
Painting over lead paint or encapsulation is only effective if the old finish of the lead paint is still in excellent condition that is not peeling or chipped.
Conventional paint is not an encapsulant.
Assuming you can encapsulate it you have a few options.
Choosing to paint or put siding on your house is an important decision that will stay with you for years.
Encapsulants are materials that are applied over lead based paint to seal the paint to a surface and prevent the release of paint chips or dust.
Take extra care around trim lead concentrations tend to track pretty closely to.
That s because homeowners are far more likely to be exposed to the hazards associated with lead dust inside the home than outside it.
But that doesn t mean that rrp rules don t apply to siding jobs where lead based paint does exist.
Full scale removal isn t always necessary.
In some places you have to remove lead paint before re siding.
As the other answer stated make sure not to disturb the old paint as you do.