Can lead-painted trim be sanded in my Sandy Hill house?

Health Canada says a home built before 1960 probably contains lead-based paint, and interior paint in homes built after that may contain smaller amounts. Sanding lead-painted trim releases fine dust that is hazardous to breathe and spreads through the house. Health Canada advises against sanding, heat-gunning or using a blowlamp on it.

Before any trim is disturbed, have the paint tested. A carpenter or an environmental testing firm can arrange that. If lead is confirmed, the work needs to be done by someone who knows how to contain the dust, protect the space and dispose of the waste properly. The contractor carries worker-safety duties under Ontario law even on a private residence.

A few things worth knowing before the work starts:

• Ask whether the carpenter has experience with lead-safe work practices and what containment they plan to use.
• Ask how waste and dust will be disposed of, and get that in writing.
• Ask whether any plaster or other materials in the wall or ceiling nearby will be disturbed, since Health Canada lists plaster, putty and spackling among older materials that may contain asbestos.
• Get the scope, the containment method and the cleanup process in the written contract.

The Consumer Protection Act, 2002 requires a direct agreement over $50 to be in writing, signed and delivered to you; you have 10 days after receiving that written copy to cancel without giving a reason.

If your house is individually designated, check the designation by-law with City heritage staff before altering original trim, since some protect interior features; a heritage conservation district permit does not cover a building's interior.

When you speak with a carpenter, ask whether they hold a Certificate of Qualification in carpentry: the trade is non-compulsory in Ontario, so no certificate is required to work, but it tells you something about how seriously they take the trade.