Pre-screen the house for lead and asbestos

Why the screening matters more on whole-house projects

A kitchen-only remodel disturbs one room. A whole-house remodel + addition disturbs every interior wall, ceiling, and floor. If lead paint is on the 1960s walls or asbestos is in the pipe wrap or vinyl tile, the question is whether you find it during scoped abatement (planned, line-itemed) or during demo (stop-work, scramble, change order).

What gets tested

• Lead paint — surfaces with paint older than 1978. An inspector takes XRF readings or paint chip samples on representative surfaces.
• Asbestos suspect materials — pipe insulation (most common in pre-1980 Renton houses), vermiculite attic insulation, vinyl floor tile and mastic, popcorn ceiling, drywall joint compound from pre-1980 work. Under WAC 296-62-07703, any material with more than 1% asbestos is ACM.

Vermiculite note: If the attic has loose-fill granular insulation, assume it contains asbestos and don't disturb it until a professional asbestos contractor evaluates it. EPA guidance is explicit: "YOU SHOULD ASSUME THE VERMICULITE CONTAINS ASBESTOS AND DO NOT DISTURB IT."

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency notification

The PSCAA requires written notification and a filing fee before any asbestos removal. The threshold that triggers notification: greater than 10 linear feet of pipe insulation or 48 square feet of surface area removed per calendar year.

For a homeowner-occupant of a single-family home, the PSCAA Single-Family Residence Notification fee is $25. Your abatement contractor files this; confirm it's in their scope.

What to do with the report

• Lead present. Your GC must be EPA RRP-certified for any work disturbing lead paint. Verify this alongside L&I status in Phase 4.
• Asbestos present. Abatement happens before demo on the affected areas. A separate L&I-licensed asbestos abatement contractor handles it.
• Nothing found. The report still goes in the permit file and tells the GC the house is clear.