From a Google Ai search, "Lead paint is a toxic, hazardous material used in homes before its 1978 ban, creating significant risks of nervous system damage, learning disabilities, and developmental delays. It becomes dangerous when deteriorating, peeling, or producing dust through friction. Lead-based paint is still found under newer layers, in most pre-1978 homes".
So far I've lost count of how many small bins of heavy paint I've burned off and deposited into the dumpster. The original paint job on this house dates back to when it was built in 1923. Over the next century there have been countless layers of paint added. I can't believe no one thought to many get down to the original wood and detail before just adding another coat. Did it really look when you turned around and saw the above? Did someone actually charge for that?
I'm into the front entrance for over 40 hours on the heat gun, chisels, sparkle knives, and picks. Luckily I think I can wrap this up today before moving onto the next to-do list the realtors gave us. But begrudgingly, that will involve more heat gun play in another part of the house. We got the report as far as the market price they want to set the house out and it was about where we thought it would be. The only thing we can do is continue the push and hope that somewhere out there a buyer is dying to get into this house.
In the end was doing this really needed and worth it? Could my time have been spent better? Well, this work that I'm doing is my gift to the house, and to the future owners. I feel that I owe it to both of them. While we lived here with it, and really never noticed it, both deserve better as the home enters another chapter, and the fourth owners. I would have loved to have seen this place as the craftsman back in the 1920's finished up before the owners, and their staff, moved in. She really is a fine estate.